Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists with Mānuka Hot Honey

 

Looking for an easy Christmas appetiser that looks impressive but takes very little effort? These Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists with Mānuka Hot Honey might just become your new festive favourite.

Made with flaky, golden puff pastry, creamy Brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce, these savoury twists are finished with a drizzle of homemade hot honey using Steens Raw Mānuka Honey.

They're buttery, cheesy, a little sweet and just spicy enough to keep everyone coming back for another. Perfect for Christmas parties, holiday grazing boards or a cosy evening entertaining friends.

Why You'll Love These Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists

There's something about the combination of Brie and cranberry that just feels like Christmas.

The rich, creamy cheese pairs beautifully with the tartness of cranberry sauce, while buttery puff pastry brings everything together in a golden, crispy bite.

But what really makes this recipe special is the finishing touch: homemade Mānuka hot honey.

Made with Steens Raw Mānuka Honey, chilli flakes and a little apple cider vinegar, this sweet and spicy drizzle adds another layer of flavour to an already delicious festive appetiser.

And the best part? You only need a handful of ingredients.

Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Servings: Approximately 12 twists

Ingredients

For the Puff Pastry Twists:

• 2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry
• 150g Brie cheese, thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp cranberry sauce
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Fresh thyme, optional

For the Mānuka Hot Honey:

• 3 tbsp Steens MGO 100+ Raw Mānuka Honey
• ½–1 tsp chilli flakes, depending on your spice preference
• ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
• A small pinch of sea salt

Method

Step 1: Prepare Your Pastry

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F and line a large baking tray with baking paper.

Slice a sheet of puff pastry down the middle so you have 2 pieces. 

Step 2: Add the Festive Filling

Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.

Arrange thin slices of Brie across the cranberry layer, distributing the cheese as evenly as possible.

Starting from one of the longest sides, roll the pastry.

Step 3: Create Your Twists

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry roll in half with the filling facing upwards (to avoid it melting everywhere on the tray)

Carefully twist each strip a few times and place onto your prepared baking tray, leaving space between each one.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

Brush each pastry twist with beaten egg.

Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, golden and beautifully crisp.

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Step 5: Make Your Mānuka Hot Honey

While the pastry twists are baking, combine Steens Raw Mānuka Honey, chilli flakes, apple cider vinegar and sea salt in a small bowl.

Stir until everything is well combined, then leave to infuse for 5–10 minutes.

For a slightly thinner consistency, gently warm the honey by placing the bowl in a larger bowl of warm water. Avoid boiling or overheating to help preserve the naturally occurring properties of raw Mānuka Honey.

Step 6: Drizzle & Serve

Arrange your warm Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists on a serving platter.

Finish with a generous drizzle of Mānuka hot honey, a sprinkle of fresh thyme and an extra little bowl of hot honey on the side for dipping.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Why Mānuka Honey Makes the Perfect Finishing Touch

When it comes to festive entertaining, sometimes the simplest additions make the biggest difference.

Our Steens MGO 100+ Raw Mānuka Honey has a rich, naturally sweet flavour that works beautifully with savoury ingredients like Brie, pastry and herbs.

Combined with chilli flakes, it creates a delicious balance of sweetness and gentle heat, cutting through the richness of the cheese while complementing the tart cranberry filling.

Unlike conventional honey, Steens Raw Mānuka Honey is unpasteurised and minimally processed using our unique Wholecomb™ extraction process, helping preserve its naturally occurring characteristics.

For this recipe, we recommend adding the hot honey just before serving rather than baking it into the pastry. This helps preserve its raw qualities while giving every twist a delicious sweet and spicy finish.

Tips for the Perfect Festive Puff Pastry Twists

Keep your pastry cold. Chilled puff pastry is easier to handle and helps create those beautiful, flaky layers when baked.

Don't overfill. A little Brie and cranberry sauce goes a long way. Too much filling can make the twists difficult to shape and cause the cheese to spill out during baking.

Adjust the spice. Prefer something milder? Start with ½ teaspoon of chilli flakes. Love a little heat? Add more to taste.

Serve them fresh. These twists are at their best when served warm, with the Brie still soft and the pastry crisp.

Make them your own. Try adding chopped walnuts, rosemary or a little orange zest for another festive flavour combination.

Your New Favourite Christmas Appetiser?

Whether you're hosting Christmas lunch, putting together a festive grazing board or simply looking for something delicious to share, these Cranberry & Brie Puff Pastry Twists are an easy crowd-pleaser.

And with a drizzle of homemade Mānuka hot honey, you've got the perfect balance of buttery, creamy, sweet and spicy in every bite.

Ready to give them a try?

Explore our Steens Table Collection and discover raw Mānuka Honey made for spreading, sweetening, baking and getting creative in the kitchen.