Brie and Cranberry Vol au Vent
Vol au vent might sound fancy, but is a simple and quick appetizer that is perfect for last minute entertaining! Also a great way to use all that leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, or 9 puff pastry cups, thawed
- 3 ounces brie, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 3 tablespoons crushed pistachios
- Egg wash, one egg + 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry sheets and gently roll until 1/4-inch thick. If using puff pastry cups, skip to step X.
- Using a 2½” round cutter, cut 9 circles on each pastry sheet and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, use a 1½” cutter to cut a hole in the center out of half the circles, creating rings. Place the rings on top of the whole circles. Discard the cut centers.
- Place the raw vols au vent in the freezer for 15 minutes (and no more than 30 minutes).
- When oven is preheated, brush the center of the vols au vent with the egg wash. Do not brush the edges, so the puff pastry can rise evenly.
- Bake until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove the pastries from the oven. If the centers puffed a lot, use a pairing knife to cut them out or push them in with your fingers, to created a hollow space for the cheese.
- Insert the brie cubes inside the hollowed center. Top with the cranberry sauce and crushed pistachios.
- Bake again until the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.
- Let them cool slightly and serve immediately!
Notes
Puff pastry issues:
- Work with the puff pastry as soon as it is pliable. Letting it sit too long and soften means it won't puff as nicely in the oven.
- Using sharp cutters will help your pastries rise evenly. If your cutters are dull, you might risk mashing the layers together and that will make it hard for them to separate and puff when baking.
- A good insurance for an even lift is to pop the vols au vent in the freezer for about 15 minutes so the butter can re-solidify. The butter will then melt more slowly in the oven, helping the puff pastry hold its shape and lift evenly.
- If you still end up with lopsided vols au vent, just gently mold them with your hands once they are out of the oven. Nobody will notice!
Substitutions:
Cranberry sauce - You can use any kind of jam you like! Brie - Camembert, blue cheese or any cheese you love. Pistachios - Almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamias, etc.Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 95mg, Sugar: 3g