If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and insanely tasty appetizer to wow your guests, this Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe is an absolute must-try. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time — the creamy Brie wrapped in crisp, golden puff pastry with a hint of sweet jam inside and those adorable cranberry “eyes” makes it not just delicious but a real conversation starter. You’re going to want to keep this one bookmarked for Halloween or any cozy get-together where you want to impress without breaking a sweat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Playful Presentation: Wrapping the Brie like a mummy makes this appetizer super festive and fun.
- Sweet & Creamy Contrast: The jam inside perfectly complements the melty Brie cheese.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy to pull this off, just a few pantry staples.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family and friends go crazy for this at parties — it disappears fast!
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how just a handful of ingredients come together to create such a memorable dish. The interplay of the buttery puff pastry, creamy Brie, sweet preserves, and tart cranberries is magic. When shopping, look for high-quality puff pastry and a nice, fresh wheel of Brie for the best results.
- Brie cheese: A creamy, mild cheese that melts beautifully inside the pastry.
- Frozen puff pastry sheet: Using frozen is super convenient; just thaw slightly before working.
- Jam or preserves: Cherry jam works wonderfully by adding a sweet, fruity balance.
- Egg yolk: This is for brushing on the pastry to get that irresistible golden color.
- Water: Just a splash to loosen the egg yolk for easier brushing.
- Dried cranberries or raisins: To make those fun little “eyes” on your mummy.
Variations
This recipe is welcoming to your creativity! Over the years, I’ve tried a few tweaks that add even more personality — feel free to experiment and make it your own.
- Jam Variation: I swapped cherry for fig jam once and it gave such a lovely, earthy sweetness that surprised me in the best way.
- Cheese Swap: For a sharper bite, try Camembert instead of Brie — it still melts like a dream.
- Nutty Addition: Adding a little chopped pecan or walnut inside with the jam gives a delightful crunch contrast.
- Herb Twist: Sprinkle fresh rosemary or thyme on the pastry before baking for a subtle aroma boost.
How to Make Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Puff Pastry
First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (about 200°C). Then take your frozen puff pastry sheet out and let it sit at room temperature for 15–30 minutes until it’s soft and pliable but still cold — this helps prevent tearing when you roll it out but keeps it workable. Trust me, rushing this step can make wrapping tricky!
Step 2: Prepare the Brie and Jam Filling
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a shallow ring around the top of your Brie wheel, then gently remove the top layer of rind like you’re lifting a little hat. Spoon about 3 to 4 tablespoons of your chosen jam or preserves on top, but don’t overdo it — you want it to stay put when wrapping. Then just pop the rind “hat” back on and set it aside. This step adds that perfect sweet surprise that balances the creamy cheese.
Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Wrap Your Mummy
Lay your softened puff pastry on a cool surface and roll it out gently with a rolling pin to smooth it a bit. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide. Now comes the fun part — wrap these strips around the Brie like mummy bandages, leaving little gaps for the “eyes.” Don’t worry about perfect neatness; a slightly rustic look is charming here!
Step 4: Add the Eyes, Egg Wash, and Bake
Place your wrapped Brie on a baking dish. Carefully cut two tiny slits for the eyes and press in your dried cranberries or raisins — these give your mummy its character! Whisk the egg yolk with a splash of water and brush the pastry all over, avoiding those eye areas so they stay clearly visible. Baking at 400°F for 20–24 minutes will get the puff pastry gorgeously golden and flaky while the Brie inside melts to creamy perfection.
When you pull it out, let it cool for just a minute or two — it’s tempting, but burning tongues happen fast!
Pro Tips for Making Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe
- Puff Pastry Thawing: Let your puff pastry thaw just enough to bend without cracking but still cold — this makes wrapping much easier.
- Jam Amount: Avoid overfilling the Brie top with jam; too much can leak out and make the pastry soggy.
- Egg Wash Precision: Brush evenly but carefully avoid the eyes so the cranberries stay vibrant and don’t get coated.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Keep an eye after 20 minutes so the pastry doesn’t burn—every oven runs a little differently.
How to Serve Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep the garnishes simple so the Mummy Brie can shine. A few fresh rosemary sprigs or thyme around the edge of the plate add a fragrant pop, plus a scattering of extra dried cranberries for a little chew and color contrast. It gives a cozy, rustic vibe that fits the Halloween spirit perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like sliced apples or grapes, along with crusty bread or crackers for dipping. I also love serving it on a board with an assortment of cured meats and nuts to create an inviting grazing platter that keeps everyone nibbling happily all evening.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I placed the mummy Brie on a dark slate board with a drizzle of honey and scattered pomegranate seeds for an extra pop of spooky color and sweetness. For a kid-friendly party, I arranged the mummies on mini Halloween-themed paper plates, which was a huge hit. It’s such a versatile recipe — you can really decorate around it for any occasion, not just Halloween.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (though that rarely happens!), wrap the mummy Brie tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. I recommend eating it within 1-2 days for the best texture, since the puff pastry will lose its crispness over time.
Freezing
I like to freeze unbaked mummy Brie wrapped in puff pastry for future use. Just assemble it, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When ready to bake, bake straight from frozen but add a few extra minutes to the cook time. It saves prep time and works really well for planning ahead.
Reheating
For reheating, pop the mummy Brie into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to warm through and crisp the pastry back up. I avoid microwaving since that tends to make the pastry soggy and rubbery, so the oven is definitely best to preserve texture.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh puff pastry instead of frozen for Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe?
Absolutely! Fresh puff pastry works just as well, if not better, since it’s usually more pliable. Just make sure it’s properly chilled before rolling and wrapping so it holds its shape during baking.
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What are the best jams or preserves to use in Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe?
Cherry jam is my favorite, but you can swap in fig, apricot, or even raspberry preserves depending on your taste. Just choose something not too runny to avoid soggy pastry.
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How do I make sure the puff pastry stays crispy?
Brushing the pastry with egg wash and baking at a high temperature helps it crisp up beautifully. Also, avoid overfilling with jam and serve the Brie soon after baking for the best texture.
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Can I prepare Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe ahead of time?
You can assemble the mummy Brie a few hours ahead and refrigerate it wrapped. Bring it back to room temperature before baking for even cooking and a crisp pastry.
Final Thoughts
This Mummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe is one of those dishes I reach for when I want something easy to make but guaranteed to impress. It ticks all the boxes — adorable, delicious, and just a little bit spooky. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want a cozy treat to share, you’ll find it’s a crowd-pleaser that feels special but is actually super straightforward. Give it a try and trust me, your guests will be asking for it year after year!
PrintMummy Brie with Puff Pastry and Cranberries Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mummy Brie recipe is a spooky and delicious appetizer perfect for Halloween or any festive gathering. Wrapped in flaky puff pastry and filled with sweet cherry jam, the creamy brie cheese creates a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors. Decorated to look like a mummy with dried cranberry eyes, this baked brie is both impressive and easy to prepare, making it an ideal addition to your grazing board or party spread.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 8 oz wheel of brie
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (can substitute homemade puff pastry if desired)
Fillings and Toppings
- 3 tbsp cherry jam or preserves
- 2 dried cranberries or raisins (for eyes)
Glaze
- 1 egg yolk
- splash of water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes until it becomes soft and pliable but remains cold.
- Prepare the Brie: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a shallow ring around the top of the brie wheel and remove the top rind. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons of cherry jam onto the exposed surface of the brie, being careful not to overfill. Replace the top rind and set the brie aside.
- Wrap the Brie: On a cold surface, roll out the softened puff pastry sheet using a rolling pin to flatten slightly. Cut the dough into strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Wrap these strips around the brie to resemble a mummy’s bandages, leaving some gaps for the eyes. Place the wrapped brie on a baking dish. Using a knife, cut two small slits for the eyes and insert dried cranberries or raisins into these slits.
- Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and a splash of water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture evenly over the puff pastry, avoiding the eye area to keep the eyes visible. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-24 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the brie is soft and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the Mummy Brie from the oven and serve warm with fresh fruit and crusty bread. Enjoy this festive and tasty appetizer!
Notes
- This Mummy Brie is the perfect Halloween appetizer that doubles as a fun centerpiece for your party table.
- Serve with fresh fruit like apple slices, grapes, or figs and crusty bread for an irresistible grazing board.
- Make sure not to overfill the brie with jam to avoid spillage during baking.
- You can substitute cherry jam with any other fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or fig depending on your taste preferences.
- For best results, keep the puff pastry cold until just before wrapping the brie to ensure a flaky crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10th of recipe)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg