Bite-sized pastries with creamy, flaky crust and savory, spiced ground beef filling. Perfect as an appetizer or festive snack.
# Components:
→ Cream Cheese Pastry
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 8 oz unsalted butter, cold and diced
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Beef Filling
05 - 1 lb ground beef
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 tsp ground allspice
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 cup beef broth
15 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Assembly
17 - 1 egg, beaten
# Steps:
01 - Blend cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add flour and salt, mixing until soft dough forms. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
02 - Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef, cooking until browned while breaking up with a spoon. Stir in allspice, cinnamon, cloves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth and simmer until mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in parsley, and let cool.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
04 - Roll out pastry dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 2 3/4 inch rounds. Place half the rounds on prepared baking sheets.
05 - Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon of beef filling onto each round. Brush edges lightly with water, top with another pastry round, and seal edges with a fork.
06 - Brush tops with beaten egg. Cut a small slit in each pastry for steam to escape during baking.
07 - Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
