Cranberry Christmas Star (Printable)

Festive cranberry and cheese star with puff pastry, blending sweet and creamy flavors for holiday celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Filling

01 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cranberry Mixture

06 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
09 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Pastry

11 - 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
12 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)
15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs, for decoration

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
03 - In a bowl, blend cream cheese, mozzarella, feta, chives, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Roll out one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into a 12-inch circle and place on prepared baking sheet.
05 - Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pastry circle, leaving a 1-inch border.
06 - Spoon the cooled cranberry mixture on top of the cheese layer, distributing evenly.
07 - Place the second puff pastry sheet over the filling and trim to match the bottom circle.
08 - Place a small 3-inch diameter bowl in the center. Using a sharp knife, cut from the edge of the bowl outward into five equal rays, forming a star shape.
09 - Carefully twist each ray outward to reveal layers and filling, then remove the bowl.
10 - Brush the entire pastry gently with beaten egg to ensure a golden crust.
11 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
12 - Cool slightly, then optionally garnish with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and rosemary. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of show-stopping appetizer that makes people gasp when you bring it to the table, but here's the secret—it's actually easier to make than it looks
  • The sweet-tart cranberry filling paired with creamy cheese layers creates this perfect balance that somehow tastes like Christmas in every bite
  • You can make the components ahead and assemble it right before baking, which means less stress and more time enjoying your guests
02 -
  • The cranberry compote must be completely cooled before assembling, or the heat will soften your cream cheese layer and make everything slide around. I learned this the hard way on my first attempt when my beautiful star kind of melted into abstract art
  • Don't skip the egg wash—that golden shine is what transforms this from 'homemade' to 'did you buy this from a fancy bakery?' The difference is literally one beaten egg and two minutes of brushing
  • Those five rays need to be cut cleanly and twisted gently—if you saw-back and forth, you'll tear the pastry instead of creating clean points. A sharp knife makes all the difference
03 -
  • Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened—I leave mine on the counter for an hour before cooking. Cold cream cheese won't mix smoothly and you'll end up with lumps in your filling
  • The secret that changed everything for me was cooking the cranberries until they're completely burst and jam-like, then cooling them completely before assembling. This step seems small but it's the difference between a beautiful star and a soggy mess
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