Fluffy crunchy and indulgent, these puff pastry packages are simply delightful. An easy appetizer to prep whether you use store bought pastry or make your own. Sweet fruit preserves meet with funky soft cheese for an addictive melty bite.

Tips to get you started:

· I use apricot or cherry preserves by Bonne Maman.

· Optional toppings of rosemary or cranberry add an extra pop of color and flavor. I pair apricot preserves with a cranberry placed on top of the cheese before baking and cherry preserves with rosemary leaves placed on top of the cheese before baking.

Serves: 24 Prep time: 15-20 minutes Cooking time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 Prepared puff pastry sheets

4 Tablespoons butter

1 Brie cheese (or camembert) wheel - 7oz

Fruit preserves

Optional topping:

Sprig of fresh rosemary

Fresh cranberries

Step one: Prepare a “bite size” muffin tin by greasing the inside and just over the top edge with butter, to prevent sticking. Preheat oven to the temperature indicated on your prepared pastry or pastry recipe. Unroll / roll the pastry as instructed and cut the pastry into approximately 2x2 inch squares.

Step two: Place one pastry square in each cup of the bite sized muffin tin and gently press the dough into the cup, leaving the rest of the dough hanging over the sides.

Step three: Into the dough cups, drop about ½ teaspoon of fruit preserves. Slice your cheese into rectangles: ¼ inch thick x ½ inch length x ½ inch width across (a little smaller than a starburst candy) and place one or two pieces of sliced cheese on the top of the preserves. Top with any optional topping you are using.

Step four: When all cups have been filled, gently fold the tops of the dough down and pinch the corners into decorative points which imitate a poinsettia or fold the corners in to make a top that looks like a gift box.

Step five: Place prepared pastries into preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Remove from oven and serve quickly for best melty cheese texture but use caution as the cheese and preserves may be very hot!

Nutrition information: per “bite”. Total Calories: 172//Total Fat: 9 g//Cholesterol: 6 mg//Sodium: 178 mg//Total Carbohydrates: 18 g//Sugars: 8 g//Protein: 4 g