Cranberry Christmas Star (Print View)

A golden star combining sweet cranberries with creamy cheeses in a flaky pastry, perfect for holidays.

# Components:

→ 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 (about 17.6 ounces total)
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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
03 - In a bowl, blend cream cheese, mozzarella, feta, chives, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into a 12-inch circle and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Spread the cheese filling evenly over the pastry circle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
06 - Spoon the cooled cranberry mixture evenly over the cheese filling.
07 - Cover with the second puff pastry sheet and trim edges to align with the bottom layer.
08 - Place a small round bowl (about 3 inches in diameter) in the center. Using a sharp knife, cut from the edge of the bowl outward into five equally spaced rays to form a star pattern.
09 - Gently twist each ray to reveal layers and filling, then remove the bowl.
10 - Brush the entire pastry surface with beaten egg for a golden finish.
11 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
12 - Allow to cool briefly. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and fresh rosemary if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you've spent all day preparing, but comes together in just 50 minutes—the ultimate holiday trick up your sleeve
  • The contrast between creamy, tangy cheeses and bright, burst cranberries creates a flavor complexity that feels elegant without being pretentious
  • Everyone has a moment when they see that perfect star shape emerge—it's genuinely a showstopper that never fails to impress
  • It works warm or at room temperature, making it perfectly suited to the chaotic rhythm of holiday gatherings
02 -
  • The cranberry mixture must be completely cooled before you assemble—I learned this when I added hot filling and ended up with a soggy, collapsed pastry that tasted wonderful but looked sad
  • Don't skip the cooling time after baking before garnishing. The residual heat will wilt the fresh herbs and soften the pomegranate seeds, but if you wait just five minutes, everything stays vibrant and perfect
  • The five rays must be cut before you twist them—trying to cut them after twisting is nearly impossible and might tear your pastry
03 -
  • Invest in a good microplane zester for the orange zest—it makes the task effortless and the zest is more fragrant and fine than what you'd get with a box grater
  • When cutting your five rays, use one long, confident stroke per cut rather than sawing motions, which can tear the delicate pastry layers
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