Salted Caramel Nut-Brie Bites in Golden Pastry

There’s something about small bites that feel like little gifts from your kitchen. I remember the first time I made these, I was trying to figure out a fancy but “easy enough” appetizer for a dinner party. I wanted something that tasted like effort, but not too fussy — something that made people pause and smile.

Brie always feels luxurious to me, soft and buttery, but I wanted a bit of crunch and sweetness too. That’s where the nuts and caramel came in. And puff pastry… oh, puff pastry is my lazy little secret. It looks complicated, puffs up, browns beautifully, and suddenly everyone thinks you’ve been slaving over the stove for hours. But in reality, it’s just love, a few careful steps, and maybe a sip of wine while it bakes.

The first time I made these, I burned my fingertips brushing the egg wash too fast, knocked over a bowl of caramel, and somehow the dog got a tiny taste of nut mixture (he approved). And yet, somehow, they turned out golden, warm, nutty, sweet, salty, and gooey — the perfect little bite. That’s what I want you to get here: not perfection, but joy and flavor that hits all the right notes.

Ingredients

For the Pastry Bites:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 8 oz (225g) Brie cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the Salted Caramel Nut Topping:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ⅓ cup mixed nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts), roughly chopped

Optional Garnish:

• Flaky sea salt
• Fresh thyme leaves

Directions

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the puff pastry into 2-inch squares and press them gently into a mini muffin tin to form little cups. Don’t stress if they aren’t perfect — rustic is fine.
2. Add the Brie
   Drop a cube of Brie into each pastry cup. Brush the pastry edges lightly with beaten egg to give it a gorgeous golden shine.
3. Bake
   Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden and the Brie is softening. Take a moment here to breathe — it smells incredible already. Remove and let them cool slightly.
4. Make the Salted Caramel Nut Topping
   In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with brown sugar.
   Stir in heavy cream and cook for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Add the sea salt and chopped nuts, making sure every nut is coated.
5. Assemble the Bites
   Spoon a little of the warm caramel-nut mixture onto each Brie bite. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and, if you’re feeling fancy, a tiny leaf of thyme.
6. Serve
   Serve warm. These bites are the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, salty, and crunchy they’re tiny, but they make a big impression.

Recipe FAQs

1: Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prep the pastry cups and Brie cubes in advance, but it’s best to bake and add caramel right before serving so the puff pastry stays crisp.

2: Can I use another cheese instead of Brie?
Camembert works similarly, or a mild Havarti. Avoid anything too hard — the soft, gooey texture is key here.

3: Can I substitute nuts?
Absolutely. Pistachios, cashews, or even lightly toasted pecans give great texture and flavor. Just chop them roughly to match the recipe.

4: How do I avoid the caramel from getting too hard?
Make sure the cream is warm when you stir it in and serve the bites soon after topping them. If it cools too long, gently reheat it before spooning.

5: Can these be frozen?
You can freeze unbaked pastry cups with Brie, but the caramel-topped finished bites are best fresh. If needed, reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to crisp up the pastry.

These little bites aren’t about perfection — they’re about joy, indulgence, and the kind of appetizer that makes people smile before they even taste it. The caramel, the nuts, the creamy Brie, the flaky pastry — it’s all about layering textures and flavors in a bite-sized package that feels like a hug.

Salted Caramel Nut-Brie Bites in Golden Pastry

Recipe by Salma Recipe

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• *For the Pastry Bites:*

• * 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• * 8 oz (225g) Brie cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes

• * 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• *For the Salted Caramel Nut Topping:*

• * ¼ cup brown sugar

• * 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• * 2 tbsp heavy cream

• * ¼ tsp sea salt

• * ⅓ cup mixed nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts), roughly chopped

• *Optional Garnish:*

• * Flaky sea salt

• * Fresh thyme leaves

Directions

• Prepare the Puff Pastry
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the puff pastry into 2-inch squares and press them gently into a mini muffin tin to form little cups. Don’t stress if they aren’t perfect — rustic is fine.
• Add the Brie
• Drop a cube of Brie into each pastry cup. Brush the pastry edges lightly with beaten egg to give it a gorgeous golden shine.
• Bake
• Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden and the Brie is softening. Take a moment here to breathe — it smells incredible already. Remove and let them cool slightly.
• Make the Salted Caramel Nut Topping
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with brown sugar.
• Stir in heavy cream and cook for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Add the sea salt and chopped nuts, making sure every nut is coated.
• Assemble the Bites
• Spoon a little of the warm caramel-nut mixture onto each Brie bite. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and, if you’re feeling fancy, a tiny leaf of thyme.
• Serve
• Serve warm. These bites are the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, salty, and crunchy they’re tiny, but they make a big impression.