The 12-Minute Party Trick
Welcome to Day 11, where we celebrate the true spirit of December: looking impressive with absolutely minimal effort.
If you’re hosting, visiting, gifting, or simply standing in your kitchen wanting something festive and melty, these Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Swirls are the one.
They’re buttery, flaky, tangy, sweet, gooey, and Christmassy enough to convince anyone that you’re the kind of person who casually whips up appetisers on a weeknight. Best of all, you only need three ingredients and about 12 minutes in the oven. Truly the sort of recipe that should qualify as a public service.🎄
⭐ Why These Swirls Are a December Hero
- Ridiculously fast and easy
- Look like you bought them from a bougie bakery
- Perfect for sharing… or for a solo festive snack
- Scalable for parties or tiny kitchen moments
- Ideal balance of creamy, sweet, and flaky
🧀 Ingredients (Makes 8–10 swirls)
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/3 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought is perfect)
- 80–100g Brie, thinly sliced
- Optional: rosemary or thyme leaves for garnish
🔥 How to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 200°C and line a tray with baking paper.
- Lay out the puff pastry sheet and spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce across it.
- Arrange Brie slices evenly over the top.
- Roll the sheet tightly into a log, then slice into 1.5–2cm rounds.
- Lay the rounds flat on the tray, slightly spaced apart.
- Bake 12–15 minutes or until puffed, golden, and lightly bubbling with cheese.
- Garnish with rosemary or thyme if you’re feeling extra.
For one: Make 3–4 swirls from a half sheet of pastry.
For a crowd: Multiply by however many friends you’re trying to impress.
💬 Christmas Card Message to Write to Your Single Friends
“Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, comfort, and little bites of joy. May your days be flaky in pastry only—not in people.”
🎁 Bonus Tip
Swap cranberry for caramelised onion relish or fig jam for a gourmet twist.
