There is something truly special about Christmas Eve. The house is filled with warmth, twinkling lights, and the happy buzz of family and friends. It’s a time for connection, not for being stuck in the kitchen feeling stressed.
That is why having a few go to recipes is so important. You want impressive but simple Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Appetizers. These smoked salmon and cream cheese tarts are exactly that. They look so elegant but are surprisingly simple to whip up.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? These little bites are a fantastic way to start any holiday celebration. They are one of the Best Holiday Appetizers for a reason. They feel fancy without any of the fussy preparation.
We use store bought puff pastry, which is a huge time saver. You get all that flaky, buttery goodness without hours of work. It’s the smart way to entertain during a busy season.
The flavor combination is a classic. Rich smoked salmon, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs all nestled in a golden pastry cup. It’s a taste that feels both comforting and celebratory. They are wonderful Christmas Eve Appetizers Parties Food.
Plus, they are so easy to make. Even if you are a beginner in the kitchen, you can pull these off with confidence. They are one of those Easy Christmas Recipes Appetizers that will make you look like a pro. Your guests will be so impressed!
These tarts are also wonderfully versatile. You can serve them warm right out of the oven or at room temperature. This makes them great for a buffet or for passing around as people mingle. A truly great choice for Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Appetizers.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large or 2 small bunches scallions, finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 (14 ounces) package frozen all butter puff pastry, thawed
- 6 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 6 ounces smoked salmon, torn into pieces
- Fresh chopped dill, for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Get The Oven And Pan Ready
First things first, let’s get that oven heated up. Set it to 375°F. A hot oven is key for getting that beautiful golden puff on the pastry. While it’s heating, grab a standard 12 cup muffin tin.
Brush the inside of each cup with a little vegetable oil. This small step ensures your tarts will pop right out after baking. No sticking, no mess. You will also want a baking sheet handy.
Step 2: Cook The Scallions
Now for the fragrant filling. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once it shimmers, add your finely sliced scallions. This is a great base for our Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Appetizers.
Cook them for about five minutes. You want them to get soft and fragrant, but not browned. Stir in the chopped parsley right at the end for a burst of freshness. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
Step 3: Mix The Custard
In a separate bowl, whisk the two large eggs together. You just want the yolks and whites to be nicely combined. No need to go crazy here. Then, pour in the heavy cream and whisk it all together.
Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper. You don’t need much salt because the smoked salmon and cream cheese will add plenty. This simple custard will bind all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 4: Prepare The Puff Pastry
It’s time for the star of the show, the puff pastry. Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the thawed sheet. If it cracks, just let it sit for a few more minutes to warm up a bit more.
Gently roll it out to an even thickness. Then, using a 3 1/2 inch round cutter, cut out as many circles as you can. You will have some scraps left over. Stack them on top of each other, do not ball them up. Balling them up ruins the layers.
Gently roll out the stacked scraps and cut more rounds. Keep going until you have 12 circles in total. Carefully press each round into a cup of your prepared muffin tin. Use your fingers to gently push them down and up the sides.
Step 5: Fill The Tarts
This is the fun part, assembling your Festive Christmas Appetizers. Start by dividing the cooked scallion and parsley mixture evenly among the 12 pastry cups.
Next, scatter the cubes of cream cheese and the torn pieces of smoked salmon over the scallions. Try to get a little bit of everything in each tart. This ensures every bite is balanced and delicious.
Finally, carefully pour about two tablespoons of the egg and cream custard over the filling in each cup. Don’t overfill them, as they will puff up in the oven. This is how you build some of the Best Holiday Appetizers.
Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection
Place the muffin tin on the baking sheet you set aside earlier. This catches any potential drips and makes it easier to handle. Slide it into your preheated oven.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You are looking for the filling to be puffed and the pastry to be a deep golden brown. The whole kitchen will smell amazing. When they are done, take them out of the oven.
Let the tarts cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. This helps them set up. Then, sprinkle with fresh chopped dill for a final touch of color and flavor. Serve them warm and watch them disappear. These are truly great Christmas Eve Appetizers Parties Food.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is easy. Let the tarts cool completely to room temperature first. This is an important step to prevent them from getting soggy.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. The pastry will soften a bit, but they will still be tasty. You can enjoy them cold or gently reheat them in an oven or air fryer to bring back some crispness.
Tips
Want to make your life even easier? You can prep parts of this recipe ahead of time. The puff pastry rounds can be cut and placed in the muffin tin a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge.
You can also make the scallion mixture and the custard ahead of time. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When it’s party time, all you have to do is assemble and bake. This makes them one of the most Easy Christmas Recipes Appetizers.
Don’t be afraid to customize. You could swap the parsley for chives or add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese. If you are not a fan of salmon, you could try using cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms for a different flavor profile.
The key to great puff pastry is keeping it cold. Work quickly and try not to handle it too much. If it starts to feel warm and sticky, just pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to chill. This helps ensure you get those light, flaky layers.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious appetizer that is sure to be a hit at your holiday gathering. These tarts are the perfect answer when you need fantastic Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Appetizers.
They bring a touch of class to any party spread without demanding hours of your precious time. Give these Festive Christmas Appetizers a try. I promise they will become a new holiday favorite for you and your loved ones. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Use Something Other Than Smoked Salmon?
Absolutely. If smoked salmon is not your thing, you have options. Cooked and crumbled bacon, prosciutto, or even sautéed mushrooms with a bit of garlic would be delicious alternatives. It’s a very flexible recipe.
Is It Possible To Make These Gluten Free?
Yes, you can. Many grocery stores now carry gluten free puff pastry in the freezer section. Just substitute it for the regular puff pastry, and the rest of the recipe remains the same. It is a simple swap for a great gluten free option.
Can I Use Mini Muffin Tins?
You certainly can. Using a mini muffin tin will create smaller, one bite appetizers. You will need to use a smaller round cutter, perhaps around 2 inches. The baking time will also be shorter, so start checking them after about 15 minutes.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Tarts
These elegant smoked salmon and cream cheese tarts are surprisingly simple to whip up, offering a delightful and festive appetizer without any fussy preparation. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine rich smoked salmon, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs nestled in flaky puff pastry.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush a standard 12-cup muffin tin with vegetable oil and have a baking sheet ready.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and finely sliced scallions. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant, but not browned. Stir in the chopped parsley and remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs. Pour in the heavy cream and whisk together. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper.
- Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. Gently roll it out to an even thickness. Using a 3 1/2 inch round cutter, cut out 12 circles, gently re-rolling scraps as needed. Press each round into a prepared muffin cup, pushing down and up the sides.
- Divide the cooked scallion and parsley mixture evenly among the 12 pastry cups. Scatter cream cheese cubes and torn smoked salmon pieces over the scallions. Carefully pour about two tablespoons of the egg and cream custard into each cup, being careful not to overfill.
- Place the muffin tin on the baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is puffed and the pastry is golden brown.
- Let the tarts cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped dill before serving warm.
Notes
You can prep parts of this recipe ahead of time. The puff pastry rounds can be cut and placed in the muffin tin a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. You can also make the scallion mixture and the custard ahead of time. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When it’s party time, all you have to do is assemble and bake.
Don’t be afraid to customize. You could swap the parsley for chives or add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese. If you are not a fan of salmon, you could try using cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms for a different flavor profile.
The key to great puff pastry is keeping it cold. Work quickly and try not to handle it too much. If it starts to feel warm and sticky, just pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes to chill. This helps ensure you get those light, flaky layers.
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