Cranberry & Almond Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups | Holiday Appetizer

Flaky phyllo cups filled with creamy goat cheese, topped with tangy cranberries, crunchy almonds, and drizzled with a rich maple balsamic glaze. Perfect for holiday entertaining!

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough (pre-made cups or sheets)
• 1 ½ cups goat cheese, softened
• ½ cup fresh cranberries
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if using phyllo sheets)

Instructions

1. Prepare Phyllo Cups:
   • If using pre-made phyllo cups, place them on a baking tray.
   • For phyllo sheets, brush each sheet with olive oil, layer 3 sheets, and cut into squares. Press squares into muffin tins to form cups.
2. Bake Cups:
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Bake phyllo cups for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Allow to cool.
3. Prepare Filling:
   • In a bowl, mix goat cheese with 1 tbsp maple syrup and thyme leaves until smooth.
4. Assemble Cups:
   • Fill each phyllo cup with the goat cheese mixture.
   • Top with cranberries and toasted almonds.
5. Finish with Glaze:
   • Drizzle remaining maple syrup and balsamic glaze over the filled cups.
6. Serve:
   • Garnish with extra thyme if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture.

this RECIPE

Helpful Tips

1. Phyllo Handling:
   • If working with phyllo sheets, keep them covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying out. Work quickly and brush each layer with olive oil or melted butter for extra crispness.
2. Make Ahead:
   • Prepare the phyllo cups a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Assemble just before serving to keep the cups crispy.
3. Toast Almonds:
   • Toast the slivered almonds in a dry skillet for a few minutes to enhance their flavor and crunch.
4. Softening Goat Cheese:
   • Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature for easier mixing and spreading.
5. Customizable Toppings:
   • Substitute cranberries with dried cherries, pomegranate seeds, or fresh figs for a unique twist.

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

1. Goat Cheese:
   • Replace goat cheese with cream cheese for a milder flavor or blue cheese for a sharper taste.
2. Cranberries:
   • Use dried cranberries, fresh pomegranate seeds, or even roasted grapes for a different fruity touch.
3. Phyllo Cups:
   • Swap phyllo cups with puff pastry shells, wonton wrappers, or mini tart shells for a sturdier base.
4. Almonds:
   • Substitute almonds with chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios for variety.
5. Maple Syrup:
   • Replace with honey, agave syrup, or date syrup for a slightly different sweetness profile.
6. Balsamic Glaze:
   • Use a honey mustard drizzle or fig jam for a sweeter alternative.

Variations

1. Savory Twist:
   • Add a pinch of chili flakes or cracked black pepper to the goat cheese mixture for a subtle spicy kick.
2. Herbaceous Flavor:
   • Mix fresh rosemary, thyme, or chives into the goat cheese for an herb-forward profile.
3. Sweet and Salty:
   • Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the glaze for a balanced flavor contrast.
4. Citrus Infusion:
   • Include a zest of orange or lemon in the goat cheese mixture for a refreshing tang.
5. Vegan Option:
   • Replace goat cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese and the phyllo cups with a vegan pastry option.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the phyllo cups ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the phyllo cups a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble the filling and toppings just before serving to keep the cups crisp.

2. Can I use store-bought phyllo cups?

Absolutely! Store-bought phyllo cups save time and work just as well. Simply fill them and bake according to the recipe instructions.

3. Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, if you’re not a fan of goat cheese, try using cream cheese, ricotta, or even brie for a creamy alternative.

4. How do I prevent the phyllo cups from getting soggy?

Ensure the filling isn’t too wet, and only assemble the cups right before serving. Baking them lightly before adding the filling can also help maintain crispiness.

Embedded Relevant Recipes

Here are similar recipes you might enjoy:

1. Goat Cheese Stuffed Phyllo Cups – A delightful bite-sized appetizer filled with creamy goat cheese and herbs, perfect for entertaining.
2. Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups – These simple yet elegant phyllo cups are loaded with tangy goat cheese and topped with honey.
3. Fig and Goat Cheese Bites in Phyllo Cups – Sweet figs paired with creamy goat cheese in crispy phyllo cups make a great holiday treat.

These recipes complement the Cranberry & Almond Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups with Maple Balsamic Glaze and add more variety to your holiday menu!

Cranberry & Almond Goat Cheese Phyllo Cups | Holiday Appetizer

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• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 phyllo cups 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Flaky phyllo cups filled with creamy goat cheese, topped with tangy cranberries, crunchy almonds, and drizzled with a rich maple balsamic glaze. Perfect for holiday entertaining!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 package phyllo dough (pre-made cups or sheets)
• 1 ½ cups goat cheese, softened
• ½ cup fresh cranberries
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if using phyllo sheets)

See also  Baked Pear & Sage Wellington with Ricotta & Berry Reduction

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Instructions

• Prepare Phyllo Cups:
  • If using pre-made phyllo cups, place them on a baking tray.
  • For phyllo sheets, brush each sheet with olive oil, layer 3 sheets, and cut into squares. Press squares into muffin tins to form cups.
• Bake Cups:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Bake phyllo cups for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Allow to cool.
• Prepare Filling:
  • In a bowl, mix goat cheese with 1 tbsp maple syrup and thyme leaves until smooth.
• Assemble Cups:
  • Fill each phyllo cup with the goat cheese mixture.
  • Top with cranberries and toasted almonds.
• Finish with Glaze:
  • Drizzle remaining maple syrup and balsamic glaze over the filled cups.
• Serve:
  • Garnish with extra thyme if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Notes

• Substitute cranberries with dried cherries or pomegranate seeds for variation.
• Phyllo cups can be baked ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 phyllo cup
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Holiday appetizer, goat cheese cups, phyllo recipe, cranberry appetizer, festive finger food