Description
These Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Appetizers feature crispy puff pastry squares topped with a light, fluffy whipped cream cheese mixture and delicate slices of smoked salmon. Perfect for elegant gatherings or simple hors d’oeuvres, they combine savory flavors and textures in a quick, easy bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (8.65 ounces)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
Topping:
- 8 ounces smoked salmon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Puff Pastry Squares: Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 12 equal squares. Use a fork to prick each square to prevent excessive puffing, then score four indentations with a knife on each square without cutting through completely, to create a border.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush each puff pastry square generously with the egg wash to help with browning. Bake the squares on the prepared baking sheets for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Make Whipped Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, minced garlic, and ground black pepper. Gradually add whipping cream while continuing to beat until the mixture is light, smooth, and fluffy. Gently fold in the chopped green onion for fresh color and flavor.
- Assemble the Appetizers: Once the puff pastry squares have cooled, spread a generous layer of the whipped cream cheese mixture on each square. Top each with a slice of smoked salmon, arranging it attractively for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully cooled before spreading the cream cheese to prevent sogginess.
- You can add a sprinkle of dill or capers for extra flavor and garnish.
- This appetizer is best served fresh the same day but can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated.
- If you prefer a less rich version, substitute half the cream cheese with low-fat cream cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 179 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
