If you’re looking for a fancy yet surprisingly easy appetizer that wows every time, you’ve got to try my Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe. These little bites pack a perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and crispy that’s simply irresistible. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll find yourself reaching for more — plus, they’re perfect for any gathering or just a special treat at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You can whip these up in under 15 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute guests.
- Elegant Flavor Combo: The marriage of creamy brie, juicy blackberries, and a touch of honey is like a flavor party in your mouth.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a holiday or casual get-together, these little cups always disappear fast.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep them ahead of time and bake right before serving, reducing stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe work together beautifully — the crispiness of the phyllo shells, the gooey melt of the brie, the sweetness from honey and jam, and the tart burst of fresh blackberries. When you shop, pick fresh blackberries and good-quality brie for the best results.
- Mini phyllo shells: Using store-bought mini phyllo shells saves time and keeps things neat.
- Blackberry jam: Adds a sweet and slightly tart base layer; homemade or high-quality store-bought works great.
- Honey: A drizzle to balance the tartness and deepen the flavor.
- Brie cheese: Creamy and mild with a luxurious texture; remove the rind for best melt.
- Fresh blackberries: For the juicy pop and fresh finish.
- Fresh thyme: A subtle herbaceous note and pretty garnish.
Variations
I love mixing things up depending on the season or what I have on hand — you should definitely feel free to play around with this Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe and make it your own. It’s so easy to swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Nutty Twist: I once added finely chopped pecans for a lovely crunch, and my family went nuts over it.
- Berry Swap: Raspberries or blueberries work just as well if blackberries aren’t your thing or you want a different berry flavor.
- Savory Minded: Skip the jam and use leftover cranberry sauce — it’s a delicious seasonal spin.
- Sweetener Swap: Maple syrup can replace honey if you prefer a more robust sweetness.
- Less Sweet: Feel free to reduce or omit the honey for a more tart, less sweet bite.
How to Make Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Assemble Your Cups
Start off by preheating your oven to 325°F — this temperature is gentle enough to melt the brie without burning those delicate phyllo shells. Spread your mini phyllo shells out on a baking sheet so they’re ready to go.
Step 2: Fill with Jam, Honey, and Brie
Place a small dab of blackberry jam inside each shell, followed by a little drizzle of honey. Then, top each with a cube of brie — I like to remove the rind first because it melts better when it’s just the creamy cheese. For easier cutting, pop your brie in the freezer for a few minutes beforehand; it firms up and helps you slice it into nice cubes.
Step 3: Bake Until Brie is Melty
Pop the tray into your oven and bake for about 6 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them — the brie should just start to melt, and the phyllo shells will turn a light golden brown. The last thing you want is burnt shells or overcooked cheese that loses its charm.
Step 4: Top with Fresh Blackberries, Thyme, and Honey
Once out of the oven, immediately transfer the phyllo cups to a wire rack — I discovered this trick to keep them crisp instead of soggy. Then, top each cup with a fresh blackberry and sprinkle on a few thyme leaves for a lovely, subtle herb note. If you want to amp up the sweetness, go ahead and drizzle a little more honey over the top. Serve right away and watch these disappear!
Pro Tips for Making Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe
- Freeze Brie Before Cutting: I always freeze the brie for 15 minutes to make slicing off the rind and cutting cubes much easier and less messy.
- Use a Wire Rack Right Away: Moving the cups immediately after baking keeps them crisp — don’t let them sit on the baking sheet, or they’ll get soggy fast.
- Watch the Baking Time Closely: Brie melts quickly, so 6-8 minutes is perfect—any longer and you risk drying out the cheese or burning the shells.
- Fresh Thyme is Key: Dried thyme just doesn’t deliver the same fresh aroma and pretty presentation, so I always keep sprigs handy.
How to Serve Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe
Garnishes
I love using fresh thyme because it adds that earthy brightness that cuts through the richness of the brie. If you want to get fancy, adding a tiny drizzle of aged balsamic glaze on top is heavenly — it adds a sweet tang that’s next-level. For a pretty touch, a single tiny mint leaf also pairs wonderfully.
Side Dishes
To make a full spread, serve these phyllo cups alongside a crisp green salad with vinaigrette and some crusty bread or water crackers. A light white wine or sparkling rosé pairs beautifully, enhancing the flavors without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like serving them on a wooden cheese board with fresh sprigs of thyme scattered around. Placing them in cute mini cupcake liners inside the phyllo cups adds a splash of color and makes for easy picking. For a holiday twist, garnish with edible flowers or a tiny sliver of candied ginger for a unique zing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep the phyllo shells as crisp as possible, I line the container with paper towels to absorb moisture. Eat within 1-2 days for best texture and flavor.
Freezing
Freezing these isn’t ideal because the phyllo will lose its crispness upon thawing, but if you must, freeze the unbaked filled shells on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to baking time. Results won’t be as crisp but still tasty.
Reheating
To reheat, place the phyllo cups on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This method revives the crispiness better than a microwave, which tends to make them soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use another type of cheese instead of brie?
Absolutely! While brie’s creamy texture is ideal, you can substitute with camembert or a soft goat cheese. Just keep in mind the melting qualities; some cheeses won’t melt as smoothly as brie.
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How do I keep the phyllo cups from getting soggy?
One key trick is to transfer the baked cups immediately to a wire rack so air can circulate underneath, preventing moisture buildup. Also, don’t overfill with wet ingredients.
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Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the cups with the jam, honey, and brie up to 2-3 hours ahead, keep them refrigerated, and bake just before serving for fresh, melty bites.
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What’s the best way to cut the brie?
I recommend chilling the brie for about 15 minutes before cutting; it firms up, making it easier to remove the rind and slice into small cubes without a mess.
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Can I use frozen blackberries for this recipe?
Fresh blackberries are best to keep the texture and appearance fresh, but if needed, thaw frozen berries and pat them dry thoroughly before using to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe comes together so effortlessly yet feels like such a treat. It’s one of those recipes I reach for when I want to impress without stress. The contrast of the creamy brie with juicy blackberries in that crisp phyllo cup is pure magic — and the little hint of thyme always makes me smile. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with friends; it’s sure to become a favorite appetizer in your repertoire, just like it is in mine.
Print
Blackberry Brie Phyllo Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Brie Phyllo Cups with Blackberry and Thyme are elegant, bite-sized appetizers featuring crisp mini phyllo shells filled with melted brie, sweet blackberry jam, honey, and topped with fresh blackberries and fragrant thyme. Perfect for entertaining, they combine creamy, sweet, and tangy flavors with a delicate crunch in each bite.
Ingredients
Phyllo Cups
- 15 mini phyllo shells (such as Athens brand)
Filling and Topping
- 2 tablespoons blackberry jam
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 ounces brie, rind removed and cut into 1/2” cubes
- 15 fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to gently warm and melt the brie without browning too quickly. This moderate temperature allows for even melting inside the phyllo cups.
- Prepare the Phyllo Cups: Arrange the mini phyllo shells evenly on a baking sheet. Into each shell, place a small dab of blackberry jam followed by a drizzle of honey, creating a sweet base layer that compliments the creamy brie.
- Add the Brie: Place a 1/2-inch cube of rind-removed brie cheese on top of the jam and honey mixture in each phyllo shell, ensuring each cup is evenly filled for consistent melting.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. Bake just until the brie has melted and the phyllo shells turn lightly golden brown on the edges, being careful not to overbake to keep the shells crisp.
- Top and Garnish: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer the phyllo cups onto a wire rack to maintain crispness. Top each melted brie cup with a fresh blackberry and a few thyme leaves, then drizzle with additional honey if desired.
- Serve: Serve the brie phyllo cups right away while warm and crisp for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can fill the phyllo shells with jam, honey, and brie, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours before baking to save time during serving.
- Brie Tips: Use standard brie cheese but remove the rind before cutting into cubes. Freezing the brie slightly makes it easier to cut. Alternatively, use ‘cream of brie’ for an even creamier texture.
- Keep Shells Crisp: After baking, transfer the phyllo cups off the baking sheet onto a wire rack immediately to prevent sogginess from steam and maintain crispness.
- Variations: Add finely chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch; swap blackberries for other berries like raspberries or blueberries; use leftover cranberry sauce instead of jam and honey; substitute honey with maple syrup; reduce or omit honey for a more tart flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 phyllo cup
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
