Description
Cranberry brie tart with pancetta & thyme delivers festive elegance to holiday gatherings. Crisp pastry, creamy cheese, and caramelized pancetta create a luxurious appetizer that wows guests with sophisticated French-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Brie cheese, sliced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) pancetta, diced
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Egg Wash and Garnish:
- 1 egg, beaten
- Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Gently smooth out the puff pastry on a lightly dusted surface, ensuring an even thickness and removing any visible creases.
- Transform pancetta into crispy morsels by sautéing in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy, then transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Distribute cranberry sauce across the pastry surface, carefully maintaining a one-inch border to create a frame for the tart.
- Elegantly arrange Brie slices over the cranberry base, creating a luxurious cheese layer that will melt beautifully during baking.
- Scatter the crisp pancetta fragments and delicate thyme leaves across the cheese, then lightly season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Craft a rustic border by gently folding the pastry edges inward, then apply a beaten egg wash to ensure a rich, golden-brown finish.
- Slide the tart into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry transforms into a flaky, golden masterpiece.
- After removing from the oven, allow the tart to rest briefly, then embellish with additional fresh thyme sprigs for a touch of elegance.
- Slice and serve this sophisticated appetizer while still warm, revealing the beautiful layers of cheese, fruit, and crispy pancetta.
Notes
- Choose high-quality, creamy Brie for a rich, smooth texture that melts beautifully in the tart.
- Crisp pancetta adds a delightful salty crunch, balancing the sweet cranberry sauce perfectly.
- For a vegetarian version, swap pancetta with toasted pine nuts or crispy shallots to maintain the textural contrast.
- Experiment with homemade cranberry sauce using fresh or frozen cranberries for a more vibrant, less sweet flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg