New Year’s cheese puffs recipe: Laurent Mariotte’s easy aperitif bites

Finding a New Year’s aperitif that’s festive, fast, and original can be tricky. This simple recipe pairs creamy Chaource cheese with sweet pear inside buttery puff pastry. It’s easy to assemble, bakes quickly, and always disappears first from the platter.

Ingredients for roughly 25 cheese and pear puff pastries

• 1 small Chaource (mild, not overripe)
• 2 sheets of butter puff pastry
• 1 large ripe pear
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt
• Freshly cracked pepper or whole peppercorns

Quick prep notes before you start

Choose a pure butter puff pastry for the best flakiness. Chill all ingredients until ready. Work on a cool surface to keep the pastry from softening too much.

Step-by-step assembly and baking method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Peel the pear, remove the core and seeds, and cut into small cubes.
3. Cut the Chaource into small pieces or cubes so it melts evenly.
4. Roll out the first puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.
5. Space small bits of Chaource about 5 cm apart across the dough.
6. Add a few pear cubes atop each cheese mound and season lightly with pepper.
7. Brush water around the fillings to act as glue, then lay the second pastry sheet over the first.
8. Press down lightly with a glass to seal each pocket, then cut small rounds with a pastry wheel or cutter.
9. Place the rounds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
10. Brush each piece with beaten egg, sprinkle with poppy seeds and a pinch of salt.
11. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.
12. Serve hot or warm for maximum flavor.

Practical tips to ensure perfect puff pastries

• If your pastry softens, return it to the fridge for 10 minutes before cutting.
• You can swap poppy seeds for white or black sesame seeds.
• Use a mild Chaource so the pear’s sweetness is not overwhelmed.
• Work quickly when sealing to retain the butter layers in the dough.
• For a crisper finish, finish under the broiler for 30 seconds—watch closely.

Serving ideas and variations that impress guests

These little puffs are ideal as starters or party bites. Try pairing them with a simple salad of lamb’s lettuce or watercress. For a different flavor profile, add a sliver of prosciutto under the cheese or a drizzle of honey after baking.

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Sienna Blake

Sienna curates soulful lifestyle content with a focus on intentional living, slow habits, and modern creativity. Her voice blends beauty, function, and joy.