If you’re looking for a stunning appetizer that’s as elegant as it is easy, you’re going to adore this Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe. I absolutely love how these little bites bring together creamy melted brie, the sweet-tart pop of fresh blackberries, and the delicate crunch of phyllo shells—all drizzled with honey and kissed with thyme. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to treat yourself, these phyllo cups never fail to impress and they’re surprisingly simple to pull together. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your guests think you spent hours in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity Meets Sophistication: You only need a handful of ingredients to create a gourmet-looking appetizer that wows.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The creamy brie, fresh blackberries, and a touch of honey with thyme make for a delightful flavor dance.
- Versatile and Quick: Ready in under 15 minutes, these are ideal for last-minute gatherings or make-ahead entertaining.
- Crowd-Pleaser Every Time: My family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
When you gather the ingredients for this Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe, you’ll notice each plays an essential role—from the flaky crunch of the phyllo shells to the rich creaminess of the brie and the fruity brightness of the blackberries. Choosing quality components here really elevates the final dish.
- Mini Phyllo Shells: Look for ready-made mini shells to save time; Athens brand is reliable and holds up well to baking.
- Blackberry Jam: Adds a sweet base that pairs beautifully with the savory brie; homemade or store-bought both work great.
- Honey: Drizzled inside and on top to lend a natural sweetness that complements the tartness of the berries.
- Brie Cheese: Use standard brie but remove the rind; chilling it briefly makes cutting easier.
- Blackberries: Fresh, plump berries give a burst of juicy freshness in every bite.
- Fresh Thyme: A few leaves on top add an herbaceous note and a beautiful garnish.
Variations
I love tweaking this Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. These variations can help you match your mood or dietary preferences while keeping that signature deliciousness intact.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkling finely chopped walnuts or pecans brings a lovely crunch and a touch of earthiness—my guests always ask for more when I do this.
- Berry Swap: Don’t have blackberries? Blueberries, raspberries, or even chopped strawberries create a fresh twist while keeping the fruity sweetness.
- Sweet Alternatives: Swap the honey for maple syrup for a subtly different sweetness; it’s especially great during fall.
- Savory Twist: If you prefer less sweetness, reduce or omit honey and try topping the brie with a dollop of cranberry sauce for that perfect holiday feel.
How to Make Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Phyllo Shells
Preheat your oven to 325°F. While it heats up, arrange your mini phyllo shells in a single layer on a baking sheet. This ensures even heat and crispiness. I always line my baking sheet with parchment paper—makes cleanup a breeze! You’ll want the shells ready to go before you start adding fillings.
Step 2: Fill Each Shell with Jam, Honey, and Brie
Now for the fun part. Place a small dab of blackberry jam inside each phyllo cup—just enough to add sweetness without overwhelming the shell. Follow that with a drizzle of honey (about a teaspoon), then top with a 1/2-inch cube of brie with the rind removed. Pro tip: Freezing your brie for 10 minutes makes it easier to slice into neat cubes. Don’t worry about cutting perfectly—the brie will melt into a gooey, irresistible filling!
Step 3: Bake Until Brie Melts and Shells Are Crisp
Bake the filled phyllo cups for 6-8 minutes. Keep a close eye because you want the brie just melty but not browned, and the phyllo shells should be lightly golden and crisp. When they’re done, immediately transfer them to a wire rack to keep that beautiful crunch—this is a trick I learned after some sad, soggy bites early on!
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Top each warm cup with a fresh blackberry and a few thyme leaves for a pop of color and fresh herbal flavor. If you’d like, give them a final drizzle of honey for an extra touch of sweetness. Serve right away to enjoy the perfect contrast between the crisp phyllo and creamy, sweet filling.
Pro Tips for Making Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe
- Chill the Brie: Freezing your brie for about 10 minutes before cutting makes handling much easier and less messy.
- Use a Wire Rack: Transfer the baked phyllo cups to a wire rack immediately after baking to keep the shells crisp and prevent sogginess.
- Watch Your Oven: Stay close during baking—brie can go from melted to overcooked quickly, and the phyllo shells burn easily.
- Don’t Overfill: Adding too much jam or honey can cause soggy shells; a small dab is all you need for balanced sweetness.
How to Serve Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love topping mine with a few fresh thyme leaves because they add a subtle herbal fragrance that brightens every bite. Sometimes I sprinkle finely chopped toasted nuts on top, like walnuts or pecans, for extra texture. If you’re feeling fancy, a tiny drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar works wonders too!
Side Dishes
These brie and blackberry phyllo cups pair beautifully with fresh greens like arugula salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette or a light fig and prosciutto platter. When hosting, I also like to serve them alongside a warm soup, like butternut squash, for a cozy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try presenting these appetizers on a wooden board lined with fresh thyme sprigs for a rustic look, or arrange them in a circular pattern around a small bowl of additional honey for dipping. I’ve even served them in pretty mini cupcake liners to keep things tidy and colorful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store the unbaked, filled phyllo shells covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 hours before baking. Once baked, they’re best eaten fresh, but you can keep them covered at room temperature for an hour or so without losing too much crispness.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing these filled or baked phyllo cups since the shells can become soggy upon thawing, but you could freeze the unfilled mini phyllo shells separately for convenience if you want to have them ready for next time.
Reheating
If you need to reheat leftovers, pop them into a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes just until warmed through. Avoid the microwave—it tends to make the shells chewy instead of crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cheese instead of brie in this recipe?
Absolutely! While brie offers a creamy texture and mild flavor that complements the blackberries beautifully, you can substitute with camembert or even a soft goat cheese for a tangier bite. Just make sure the cheese melts well to keep that luscious texture inside the phyllo cups.
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How do I prevent the phyllo cups from getting soggy?
The key is to bake the filled cups just until the brie melts and remove them promptly to a wire rack, allowing air to circulate and keep the shells crisp. Also, avoid overfilling with jam or honey to minimize moisture buildup inside the shells.
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Can I prepare these phyllo cups ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can assemble the cups with jam, honey, and brie, then refrigerate them for 2-3 hours before baking. This makes party prep easier and lets you bake fresh right before guests arrive for that perfect melt and crisp crunch.
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What if I can’t find fresh blackberries?
Don’t worry—other fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries all work wonderfully as substitutes. You can even use fruit preserves or compotes for a different texture and sweetness level.
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Is it necessary to remove the brie rind?
While the rind is edible, it can sometimes toughen or affect the texture once baked inside these tiny phyllo cups. I recommend removing it for a smoother, creamier filling, and freezing the brie briefly makes taking off the rind easier.
Final Thoughts
This Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe has become my go-to when I want to impress without stress. I love how quick they come together and the beautiful balance of sweet and savory that never fails to get compliments. Honestly, once you try these, they’ll be a staple for your parties and cozy nights alike. So grab those phyllo shells and brie, and let’s get baking—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Brie and Blackberry Phyllo Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Brie Phyllo Cups with Blackberry and Thyme are elegant, bite-sized appetizers featuring mini phyllo shells filled with honey, blackberry jam, and melted brie, topped with fresh blackberries and aromatic thyme. Perfect for serving at parties or as sophisticated snacks, they combine creamy, sweet, and fresh flavors in a crisp shell.
Ingredients
Phyllo Cups
- 15 mini phyllo shells (such as Athens brand)
Fillings & Toppings
- 2 tablespoons blackberry jam
- 2 tablespoons honey, plus more for drizzling (optional)
- 3 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 15 fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the phyllo cups.
- Prepare Shells: Arrange the mini phyllo shells on a baking sheet evenly spaced.
- Add Fillings: Place a small dollop of blackberry jam and honey inside each phyllo shell to create a sweet base layer.
- Add Brie: Top each shell with one 1/2 inch cube of brie cheese, distributing evenly among the shells.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the filled phyllo cups for 6-8 minutes, until the brie is melted and the edges of the shells are lightly golden brown.
- Garnish: Remove the cups from the oven and immediately top each with a fresh blackberry and a few fresh thyme leaves.
- Optional Finishing Touch: Drizzle additional honey over the cups if you desire extra sweetness.
- Serve: Transfer the cups onto a wire rack to keep the shells crisp and serve right away while warm.
Notes
- Make ahead: Assemble the cups filled with jam, honey, and brie up to 2-3 hours before baking. Keep refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Brie cheese tips: Use standard brie but remove the rind before cutting into cubes. Freezing the brie briefly helps with rind removal and clean cutting. Cream of brie (a thinner, creamier variety) can be used and scooped directly into the shells.
- Keep shells crisp: Place baked cups on a wire rack immediately after baking to allow airflow and prevent sogginess.
- Variations: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. Substitute blackberries with other berries. Replace jam and honey topping with leftover cranberry sauce. Swap honey for maple syrup or reduce honey for a tarter flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 phyllo cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg