Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet (approx. 250 g) All-Butter Puff Pastry, thawed
  • 1 large Egg, whisked with 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
  • 115 g (4 oz) Full-Fat Cream Cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 30 g (1/4 cup) Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar), sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated Orange Zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)
  • 50 g (1/2 cup) Dried Cranberries (Craisins)
  • 2 tablespoons Cranberry Sauce or Jam (whole berry sauce preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Juice or hot water

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cranberry Topping: In a small bowl, combine the dried cranberries with the orange juice or hot water. Allow them to sit and soften for 5 minutes. Stir in the cranberry jam/sauce until everything is combined. Set aside.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and cinnamon (if using). Whisk or beat until the mixture is completely smooth, lump-free, and fluffy.
  3. Prepare and Cut the Pastry: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the chilled puff pastry sheet and cut it into 24 even squares (usually 6 rows by 4 columns).
  4. Assemble the Bites: Place the pastry squares onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a smaller cutter or the back of a spoon, gently press down in the centre of each square, creating a shallow well. Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling into the center well. Top the cream cheese filling with a small dollop of the prepared cranberry mixture (about 1/2 teaspoon). Brush the exposed pastry edges lightly with the egg wash.
  5. Bake and Finish: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through. Remove from the oven and transfer the bites to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.