Description
A festive and elegant appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry layered with creamy melted Brie, crispy pancetta, tangy cranberries, fresh rosemary, and a drizzle of honey. This Cranberry Brie Tart with Pancetta combines savory, creamy, and sweet-tart flavors in a quick, easy-to-make tart perfect for holiday gatherings, casual get-togethers, or tapas-style entertaining.
Ingredients
Base and Dough
- Puff pastry (thawed as per package instructions)
Cheese
- Brie cheese, sliced into thin pieces (approx. 8 oz)
Meat
- Pancetta, diced and cooked until crispy (about 4 oz)
Fruits and Herbs
- Fresh or thawed cranberries (approx. 1/2 cup)
- Fresh rosemary, chopped (1-2 teaspoons), plus extra sprigs for garnish
Other Ingredients
- Honey (1-2 teaspoons for drizzling)
- Egg wash (1 beaten egg for brushing pastry edges)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Dice pancetta into small pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels to remove excess fat. Slice Brie cheese into thin pieces to allow even melting.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry Base: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly to fit your tart pan or baking sheet. Score a border around the edges to create a raised crust that will hold the filling. Brush the border with the beaten egg wash to help it brown to a golden finish.
- Assemble the Tart: Evenly layer the Brie slices inside the puff pastry border. Scatter the cooked pancetta pieces and fresh cranberries evenly on top. Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary over the filling, then drizzle honey to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the tart in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden, and the Brie has melted into creamy pools. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the tart into squares or wedges. Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs or a drizzle of honey if desired. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Keep puff pastry cold before baking to ensure it puffs beautifully and avoids sogginess.
- Don’t overfill the tart; balance Brie, pancetta, and cranberries to maintain pastry structure.
- Cook pancetta until crispy for perfect texture contrast and flavor without excess grease.
- Use fresh rosemary to enhance aroma and flavor in the tart.
- Allow the tart to cool briefly before slicing to prevent the filling from oozing and ensure clean cuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of tart)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg