Brie and pear puff pastry bites

Brie and pear puff pastry bites are an enchanting, timeless and magical pairing. They are a unique, sweet and delicious creation to celebrate the fall season.

As you take a bite, the puff pastry shell crumbles beneath your fingertips, giving way to the divine harmony of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth brie with the sweet taste of ripe pears, all perfectly drizzled with Linden honey and sprinkled with delicious sliced almonds. These little delights are indeed like a sweet memory of autumn, tasty, pure and simple.

They’re perfect for get-togethers, special occasions, or whenever you feel like treating yourself to a special dessert. Oh, and did I mention this recipe is one of the easiest to make and that it’s all done in less than half an hour?

JUMP TO RECIPE

Pears and roses

Pear season arrives like a whisper, gently signaling the end of sunny golden days. It seems to echo the passage of time—a gentle reminder that summer is fading, making way for autumn’s deeper flavors and slower pace.

In mythology, pears symbolize wealth, femininity and fertility. In Europe, fruit trees were planted at weddings; they were believed to strengthen the marriage and aid fertility. An apple tree was planted for each boy born and a pear tree for every girl.

Here are a few facts about pears you probably didn’t know:

• Pears are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with evidence of their cultivation dating back to 5,000 B.C. in China. They grow in over 3000 different varieties.
• They are related to apples, quinces, and roses and belong to the rose family Rosaceae.
• They ripen from the inside out and continue to ripen after being harvested.
• The pear tree can live for up to 400 years.
• In Greek mythology, pears were sacred to Hera, the goddess of marriage and family. They were also linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, representing sensuality and beauty.
• They’ve been used in Chinese medicine to cool down the body, moisten the lungs and remove mucus.
• The first fruit tree planted in North America was a European pear tree (Pyrus communis) from England in 1620.

Why you’ll adore these brie and pear puff pastry bites

We’ve already tried some puff pastry recipes like delicious fruit tarts with puff pastry, puff pastry cinnamon pinwheels, colorful puff pastry pizza tarts and saffron milk cap appetizers. Still, brie and pear puffs, with their gentle and unique aroma, were a clear winner among all.

Let’s name a few reasons why you’re going to fall head over heels for these beauties:

• The taste. There’s undoubtedly something special about this combination. Just like our pear potato soup and pear cheese strudel, it stands out from all the food you’ve ever tried. The alchemy of sweet pears dancing with brie cheese is special, unforgettable and unique. The flavors are subtle yet compelling, rich but never overwhelming.

• The ease. Pre-made puff pastry sheets and minimal prep make this recipe a breeze. You don’t need a degree in culinary science to make them; even a beginner can do it. Forget the messy kitchen; these puffs won’t leave any mess behind.
• The simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll effortlessly prepare a delicious, mouthwatering dessert that has the power to impress. Trust me, these bites will impress even the greatest critic – you.
• The quickness. They are a perfect choice for a last-minute dessert. Simple and elegant, these don’t require more than 2o minutes spent in the kitchen.
• The versatility. Pears can be replaced with other fruits or combined with various cheeses. The crunchy topping can be chosen from any nuts you have at hand.
• The convenience. They’re just as delicious as they look, and they will make an extraordinary dessert whether you serve them hot right out of the oven or make them a day ahead.

What you need to make them

BRIE – Opt for a high-quality brie with a soft, buttery texture. Avoid overly aged or spicy varieties, as they can overpower the delicate sweetness of the pears. Baked brie tastes like a dream when melted in the oven.

PEARS -We used a smaller, old variety of pears that fell from our old pear tree in September after heavy rainfall. We strongly suggest using organic and sturdier pears (not overripe) for this recipe.

PUFF PASTRY – Store-bought puff pastry sheets work well for convenience, but make sure they’re made with real butter for the best flavor and puff. You can also use frozen puff pastry. If you have time, homemade puff pastry can transform your bites into amazing, crunchy masterpieces.

HONEY – Organic Linden honey was used to drizzle on these delicious bites.

SLICED ALMONDS – These have a mild, gentle aroma and will absolutely add some rich crunch to your puff pastry.

Variations and substitutions

These little beauties are so adaptable that you can use any other fruits, nuts or cheeses you have at hand. Or, even better, combine the pears with more fruits for a richer flavor.

They can be mixed with (or replaced) apples, plums, figs and raspberries. Just make sure the fruit’s taste pairs well with the cheese. A great combination is pears with brie and chestnuts.

Brie cheese can be mixed or replaced with camembert (it pairs excellently with pears), a little tangier goat cheese or gorgonzola for a bolder flavor.

You can bake the puff pastry shells in advance and fill them with fresh cheese and raw pears.

Speaking of nuts, you can use any kind instead of almonds. Toasted walnuts would be perfect for a genuine traditional treat, but hazelnuts or pistachios will also work as long as they pair well with the choosen fruit.

Honey can be replaced with maple syrup, or you can skip it entirely if you prefer the savory side of the brie cheese.

Brie and pear puff pastry recipe

PREPARATION

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 200 °C/392 °F with the fan on.

STEP 2: Roll out a chilled puff pastry sheet and split it into twelve square pieces using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.

STEP 3: Carefully place the squares onto a muffin baking sheet. Don’t press them hard to the bottom so they won’t stick to the tin.

Puff pastry is created of many thin layers of dough and fat. When placed in a hot oven, the water in the butter and dough turns into steam. The steam expands between the layers of dough, causing the pastry to rise and “puff.” The butter that melts during baking creates a crisp, flaky texture.

Therefore, you need to chill the puff pastry before baking. It’s best to return the baking sheet to the refrigerator so the butter stays solid while you prepare the brie and pear filling. This way, it will bake and puff perfectly.

STEP 4: Next, slice the pears and brie into small pieces, small enough to load them into the puff pastry shells.

If you’re using fresh, organic pears like we did, they will quickly turn brown once sliced. But don’t worry – this won’t be visible once baked, and the cheese that melts between them will cover them almost completely.

STEP 5: Remove your muffin tin from the refrigerator and fill the cups with pear slices and pieces of cheese. We first loaded the pears and added brie on top; as it melts, it will find its way all the way to the bottom.

BAKING

STEP 6: Bake at 200 °C/392 °F for 12-14 minutes. When done, your puff pastry bites should look crispy and golden at the edges.

Set them aside to cool a little before you transfer them to a serving plate.

STEP 7: Lastly, drizzle them with honey. We used organic linden honey, which created a unique aroma worth dying for!

And finally, sprinkle your beautiful puffs with sliced almonds for that irresistible crunchy bite.

STEP 8: Let your delicious bites chill for a moment more, then serve and enjoy!

They taste gorgeously delicious whether you eat them warm or snap them the next day as a snack.

Tips and notes to remember

• Keep your puff pastry chilled. It will be easier to work with and keep the butter solid within the dough. This helps maintain the layers of butter and dough, allowing the pastry to rise properly. If the pastry becomes too warm, the butter will melt too soon, causing the layers to blend and preventing the dough from puffing up as crisply as it should.
• Slice the cheese and pears small enough. You won’t be able to stack larger pieces into the puff pastry shells. You can pre-freeze the brie to make it easier to handle.
• Don’t overfill. If there is too much filling in the shells, the pastry might get too moist and won’t puff as crispy as you wish.
• Grease the muffin tin. Although this is unnecessary, removing your bites from the muffin tin will be easier once baked. You can also use pieces of parchment paper to prevent the cheese from sticking to the tin.
• Rotate the pan while baking. It will ensure all your puff pastry bites are baked evenly on both sides of the muffin sheet.
• Watch it. Puff pastry needs about 12-14 minutes of baking at 200 °C/392 °F, but even a half-minute longer can quickly make it look burned.
• Let them rest for a few minutes after baking. It will be easier to work with, and the brie will slightly cool before you bite into it. However, drizzle them with honey while they are still warm.
• Add herbs or spices. Sprinkle fresh thyme or rosemary to enhance the savory note, and add nutmeg or a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a warm touch.

Serving suggestions

If you’re serving these gorgeous bites as an appetizer, brie and pear puff pastry pairs perfectly with a glass of Chianti, Muscat or Champagne.

For those harvesting and drying herbs for tea over the summer, elderflower tea’s gentle floral fragrance adds a refreshing lift to the Brie’s richness.

When served as a dessert, we suggest serving them after a delicious meal that celebrates the autumn season. We’ll pair ours with mushroom tagliatelle, porcini rice, or the glorious ricet bean and barley soup.

Storage

Although your bites taste best when served freshly baked, you can store them in an airtight container (ensuring they are wrapped in a paper bag or parchment paper) for up to two days. Storing them in the refrigerator will prolong the storage for another day.

Once baked, the bites will soak up the moisture from the pears and brie cheese; therefore, freezing them is not recommended.

If you wish to prepare them in advance, we suggest you create the shells and freeze them raw in a muffin tin. Once solid, store them in a bag. When needed, quickly thaw them, fill them up with brie and pears and bake them as described above.

This way, you will have your delicious dessert prepared in minutes.

Brie and pear puff pastry bites FAQs

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Our brie and pear puff pastry bites were featured on Crazy Little Love Birds’ blog, Estelle’s Homemade on a Weeknight’s blog, Life and Linda blog, Gma’s photo website, My Wee Abode and Creative Jewish Mums‘ blog.

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