Hot Pepper Jelly & Herb Cream Cheese Savory Pastries

Ingredients (Serves 8-10):

• 1 thawed Puff Pastry Sheet
• 1/4 cup Everything But The Bagel (EBTB) Seasoning
• 1 Egg (beaten)
• 6 oz Cream Cheese (softened to room temperature)
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 1/3 cup Freshly Chopped Herbs (such as parsley, oregano, basil, dill)
• 1/3 cup Whole Milk
• 1/3 cup Hot Pepper Jelly

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Set your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare the Puff Pastry:

• Place your thawed puff pastry sheet on a clean surface, lightly floured to prevent sticking.
• Gently roll out the pastry to ensure a smooth sheet. Aim for an even thickness.

3. Cut the Pastry:

• Using a 3-4 inch cookie cutter or a glass jar, cut out as many round dough pieces as possible. The number will depend on the size of your cutter.
• Arrange the round pastry pieces on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Shape the Pastry:

• Using a knife, create a 1/2 inch circular border around the edges of each pastry piece. This border will puff up as the pastries bake.
• Brush the entire surface of the pastries with the beaten egg to give them a nice golden color as they bake.
• Generously sprinkle the edges with EBTB seasoning to add flavor and crunch.

5. Bake the Pastries:

• Bake the puff pastries for 15-20 minutes at 425°F, or until golden brown and flaky, with crispy edges. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t over-brown.

6. Prepare the Herb Cream Cheese Filling:

• In a food processor, combine the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, milk, and freshly chopped herbs (such as parsley, oregano, basil, and dill). Blend until smooth.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

7. Pipe the Filling:

• Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag for easy application.
• Once the pastries have cooled for about 5 minutes, pipe a generous amount of the herb cream cheese onto the center of each pastry.

8. Top with Hot Pepper Jelly:

• Spoon a small amount of hot pepper jelly onto the cream cheese filling for a sweet and spicy contrast.

9. Serve and Enjoy:

• Serve these delicious, flaky pastries as a snack, appetizer, or party treat! Enjoy the savory herb filling with a kick of spicy sweetness from the jelly.

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These puff pastry bites are the perfect combination of flaky, creamy, and savory with just a hint of heat from the hot pepper jelly. They're a crowd-pleaser for any occasion!