Save A festive and elegant savory pastry shaped like a poinsettia, filled with herbed cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes—perfect for holiday entertaining.
I love making this for holiday gatherings because it always impresses guests with its beautiful shape and delicious taste.
Ingredients
- Pastry: 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed, 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- Filling: 200 g (7 oz) cream cheese softened, 50 g (1.75 oz) grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 garlic clove minced, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp lemon zest
- Garnish: 6 sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp pine nuts (optional), Fresh basil leaves (for decoration)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, Parmesan, basil, chives, garlic, black pepper, and lemon zest until well combined.
- Step 3:
- Unroll one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a 1 cm (½ inch) border.
- Step 4:
- Sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the filling.
- Step 5:
- Place the second pastry sheet on top. Gently press the edges to seal.
- Step 6:
- Place the filled pastry onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 7:
- Place a small glass upside down in the center (do not cut through). Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry from the edge of the glass outward into 16 even strips.
- Step 8:
- Twist each strip twice away from the center to create petals.
- Step 9:
- Brush the entire pastry with egg wash. Sprinkle pine nuts over the petals if using.
- Step 10:
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Step 11:
- Remove the glass, and garnish the center with additional sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil leaves to resemble a poinsettia.
- Step 12:
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Save This appetizer always brings my family together during holiday celebrations, sparking joy and conversation around the table.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, sharp knife, mixing bowl, pastry brush, small glass (for shaping)
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), Milk (dairy), Egg, Pine nuts (if used). Double-check labels of puff pastry for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 250, Total Fat 16 g, Carbohydrates 19 g, Protein 6 g
Save Enjoy this delightful appetizer fresh out of the oven for a perfect holiday treat.
Common recipe questions
- → How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?
Ensure the cream cheese filling is not too wet and avoid overfilling. Chill the pastry before baking and bake immediately after assembling to maintain flakiness.
- → Can I prepare this appetizer in advance?
You can assemble the pastry and refrigerate it briefly, but bake right before serving to preserve its crisp texture and fresh flavors.
- → What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
Roasted red peppers make a great alternative, bringing a sweet and smoky dimension while complementing the herbs and cheese.
- → Is there a way to make this dish nut-free?
Simply omit the pine nuts from the garnish without affecting the overall flavor or texture significantly.
- → How do I achieve the poinsettia petal effect?
After sealing the two pastry sheets with filling inside, place a glass in the center as a guide, then cut strips outward and twist each strip twice away from the center to form petals.