Description
These Raspberry Cream Cheese Bites are delightful mini pastries made with flaky puff pastry, smooth cream cheese filling, and sweet raspberry preserves, topped with fresh raspberries. Perfect for a party appetizer or a sweet snack, they bake to golden perfection and offer a balanced combination of creamy, fruity, and buttery flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed according to package instructions)
Cream Cheese Filling
- ½ package (4 ounces) cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping and Finishing
- ½ cup (160 g) raspberry preserves
- 24 fresh raspberries
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the tin aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix until the filling is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Cut this into 24 equal squares, each approximately 3×3 inches.
- Line Muffin Tin with Pastry: Gently press each puff pastry square into the mini muffin cups, allowing the edges to fold slightly over the sides to create little cups.
- Add Filling and Preserves: Spoon a small teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry cup. Then add about ½ teaspoon of raspberry preserves on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and water to create an egg wash.
- Brush Pastries with Egg Wash: Carefully brush the tops and the edges of the puff pastry cups with the egg wash to ensure a golden, glossy finish after baking.
- Bake Pastry Cups: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is beautifully golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the bites from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack. Once cooled, top each raspberry cream cheese bite with a fresh raspberry for a burst of freshness and color.
- Serve: Enjoy these bites warm or at room temperature as a delightful snack or party treat.
Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Using fresh raspberries as a garnish adds a nice texture and visual appeal.
- If puff pastry tends to get sticky, lightly flour your surface before rolling it out.
- These bites can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to two days; warm slightly before serving.
- Substitute raspberry preserves with other fruit preserves like strawberry or apricot for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
