Easy stuffed pastry cups recipe

These stuffed pastry cups are not only super easy to make, they will look beautiful on your holiday dinner table. With their small size, they are the perfect portion to keep those growling stomachs quiet while the main dinner is being prepared.

With all of the chaos of preparing a holiday feast comes a lot of hungry tummies. These easy appetizers are a breeze to whip up and are just the right amount to keep you satisfied until the main dishes are served. Here, we feature a sweet-and-savory bite and also a creamy-spicy bite to keep everyone happy.

Spicy spinach and artichoke pastry bites recipe

Yields 24 bites

Ingredients:

• 2 packages premade puff pastry cups
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
• 2/3 cup fat-free sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
• 1 fresh jalapeno, seeds removed and minced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare the puff pastry cups as listed on the package. Once baked remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2. In a bowl mix together the Parmesan cheese, spinach, artichokes, sour cream, cream cheese, mayo, garlic and fresh jalapeno.
3. With a small spoon gently fill the puff pastry cups with the mixture. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

Cranberry brie pastry bites recipe

Yields 24 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries, washed and dried
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 round Brie cheese, sliced into 24 small triangle wedges
• Orange blossom honey or agave nectar
• 2 packages premade puff pastry cups
• Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare the puff pastry cups as listed on the package. Once baked remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2. In a small saucepot add the cranberries and the orange juice. Simmer for five minutes or just until the cranberries start to burst. (You still want them to remain whole and intact. Cranberries can be quite hard and sour when raw and this helps to soften them up.) Remove from the heat and allow the cranberries to cool.
3. To each pastry cup, add one wedge of Brie and a few cranberries. Drizzle with orange blossom honey or agave nectar and serve.

More appetizer ideas

5 fabulous phyllo appetizers
Greek cheese appetizers
Tasty twists on Thanksgiving appetizers