Cranberry Christmas Star (Printable)

Star-shaped tart with cranberries and creamy cheese for a festive holiday touch.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Filling

01 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cranberry Mixture

06 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
09 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Pastry

11 - 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (about 17.6 ounces total)
12 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)
15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs, for decoration

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 7 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
03 - In a bowl, blend cream cheese, mozzarella, feta, chives, and black pepper until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Roll out one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into a 12-inch diameter circle and place on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the pastry circle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
06 - Distribute the cooled cranberry mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Place the second pastry sheet over the filling. Trim edges to align with the bottom circle.
08 - Place a small bowl (3 inches diameter) in the center. Cut the pastry from the bowl’s edge outward into five equal rays to form a star.
09 - Gently twist each ray to reveal layers and filling, then remove the central bowl.
10 - Brush the entire pastry surface with beaten egg to promote browning.
11 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
12 - Allow to cool slightly. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and rosemary if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but the truth is you'll have this beautiful, conversation-starting appetizer ready in under an hour
  • The sweet-tart cranberries paired with creamy, tangy cheeses create this perfect balance that feels fancy but tastes like comfort
  • It's vegetarian, it's visually stunning, and honestly, watching people's faces when they see the star shape makes it worth every minute
02 -
  • Thawed puff pastry is everything. I learned this by thawing it in the microwave once out of impatience, and it baked unevenly and didn't puff properly. Always thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge. Your patience pays off in puff.
  • The cranberry mixture must be completely cooled before you assemble everything. Hot cranberries will make the cheese filling runny and it'll all slide around. Learn from my mistake—make the cranberries first, spread them on a plate, and let them cool while you prep everything else.
03 -
  • The most important moment is when your egg wash goes on. Use a pastry brush and be generous but not sloppy. That glossy finish is what makes people think you bought this from a bakery.
  • If you're worried about soggy pastry, here's a secret: you can brush the inside of your bottom pastry circle with a tiny bit of melted butter mixed with a pinch of salt before adding the cheese. It creates a tiny moisture barrier. It's subtle but it makes a difference.
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