Can I make these completely ahead of time?

You can prepare the pastry rounds and chill them a day ahead. For the best texture and flavor, I recommend adding the fillings and baking shortly before serving. However, they're still delicious at room temperature if you need to make them a few hours in advance.

What if I can't find pepper jelly?

If pepper jelly isn't available, you can substitute with apricot preserves mixed with a pinch of red pepper flakes, or any fruit preserve that offers a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Fig jam is particularly delicious!

Can I use light cream cheese instead of full-fat?

I strongly recommend using full-fat cream cheese for this recipe. Light cream cheese contains more moisture and doesn't hold its shape as well during baking, which can make your pastries soggy.

My puff pastry got too warm while I was working with it. What should I do?

If your pastry feels soft or sticky, simply pop it back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before continuing. Cold pastry is much easier to work with and will produce flakier results.

Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Puff Pastry Bites Recipe

Description

A delightful combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy cream cheese, and tangy pepper jelly, these bite-sized appetizers are elegant enough for a party but easy enough for any occasion. The perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors makes these bites a crowd favorite. Whether using homemade or store-bought puff pastry, this recipe will yield irresistibly tasty results.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Pastry

About 16 ounces store-bought puff pastry (or 1/2 batch of homemade rough puff pastry)
All-purpose flour (for work surface)
Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 teaspoon of water or cream)

For the Filling

1 cup hot pepper jelly
4 ounces brick full-fat cream cheese, cold
6–10 sprigs of fresh thyme

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Instructions

Prepare the Puff Pastry
If using homemade puff pastry, prepare half a batch. If using frozen store-bought puff pastry, defrost following package instructions. Roll the pastry out on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness or into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle.
Stamp Out Circles
Use a 2¾-inch circle cutter to stamp out at least 16 circles of pastry. Place your stamps closely together to minimize waste. Save any scraps for other recipes.
Dock the Pastry
With a 2-inch cutter, make a light indentation in the center of each circle without cutting all the way through. Then dock the center using a fork to prevent over-puffing during baking.
Prep and Chill Pastry Rounds
Place the pastry rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet and apply a thin layer of egg wash. Keep them in the refrigerator or freezer while you prepare the filling.
Prep the Filling
Cut the cold cream cheese into ½-inch pieces and roll each piece into a small ball, if desired, for a cleaner appearance. Place the pepper jelly in a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag.
Par-Bake the Pastry
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chilled pastry rounds for 12 minutes, or until puffed but not golden. Remove from the oven.
Assemble the Bites
Use a small cookie cutter or spoon to press the center of each puff pastry round to create a well. Pipe about 2 teaspoons of pepper jelly into the well of each round, then add a piece of cream cheese on top.
Final Bake
Return the assembled bites to the oven and bake for another 5–8 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the cream cheese is puffed.
Finish and Serve
Remove from the oven and allow the bites to cool slightly. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top of each bite. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Homemade puff pastry provides the best results, but store-bought works fine. Different brands may yield a slightly different number of bites depending on the size and shape of your cutter.
If using smaller cutters, you may yield up to 24 bites, reducing the baking time slightly.
These bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer and reheated before serving.
If you’re short on time, using store-bought puff pastry will save prep time without compromising flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bite
Calories: 120
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 100mg
Fat: 100mg
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg