Description
These Delectable Cranberry Turkey Puff Pastries combine tender shredded turkey with the sweet tartness of cranberry sauce and fragrant herbs, all wrapped in flaky, golden puff pastry. Perfect as a festive appetizer or a hearty main dish, they deliver a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors with a cheesy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2.0 cups cooked turkey, shredded
- 1.0 cup fresh or canned cranberry sauce
- 1.0 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1.0 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1.0 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.0 teaspoon salt
- 0.0 teaspoon pepper
- 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Pastry
- 1.0 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- Flour (for dusting)
- 1.0 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the puff pastries to a golden crisp.
- Prepare Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded turkey, cranberry sauce, chopped rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavors. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese if you desire a richer, cheesy filling.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth out creases. Cut into squares approximately 6×6 inches, sized to hold a generous amount of filling.
- Assemble Pastries: Place 1-2 tablespoons of the turkey filling in the center of each pastry square. Fold the pastry over to form a triangle or rectangle shape and press the edges tightly to seal. Crimp edges with fingers or fork to make a decorative border and ensure the filling stays inside while baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops of each pastry with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful shiny, golden finish once baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry has fully puffed up and turned golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pastries cool for a few minutes on a rack before serving. These make an excellent holiday appetizer or a delightful main course when paired with a fresh salad.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold to make it easier to work with and to achieve the best puff.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other cheeses like Gruyère or mozzarella for a varied flavor.
- Feel free to add a pinch of salt and pepper to the filling to balance flavors, as the original recipe omits them.
- If fresh herbs are unavailable, use 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary and thyme each, but reduce the quantity as dried herbs are more potent.
- These pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in an oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: turkey puff pastry, cranberry turkey pastry, holiday appetizers, puff pastry recipes, turkey appetizers, savory puff pastry, festive snacks
