If you are looking for a showy yet incredibly simple appetizer to make, this Puff Pastry Sunflower with Camembert: the dinner-saving appetizer with 2 ingredients and a melted heart is the perfect solution for you!
With just two main ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, you’ll bring to the table an edible centerpiece that will win over all your guests.
The magic happens in the oven: the puff pastry turns golden and crispy, while the Camembert transforms into a creamy delight.
The beauty of this recipe? No cutlery needed: simply tear off a “petal” of pastry and dip it directly into the melted cheese heart.
Below I’ve included other inviting recipes with puff pastry, and as always, let’s get right under the photo to discover how to make the Puff Pastry Sunflower with Melting Camembert Heart 😉
See you soon with the next recipe, Ana Amalia!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for the Puff Pastry Sunflower with Camembert
- 2 rolls puff pastry (round)
- 1 Camembert
- 1 egg (small for brushing the pastry)
- to taste sesame seeds (or poppy seeds)
- 1 sprig rosemary (or fresh thyme)
How to Make the Puff Pastry Sunflower with Melting Camembert
Prepare the Base: Start by laying the first roll of puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the Camembert mold exactly in the center (you can use the cheese itself).
Fill and Cover: If you like, slightly score the top crust of the Camembert in a criss-cross pattern and insert some thyme or rosemary.
Place the cheese in the center of the pastry and cover it with the second roll, pressing it well along the edges of the Camembert to seal it.
Create the Petals: With a sharp knife, make radial cuts starting from the cheese’s edge outward, creating about 16 to 20 strips (your petals).
The Twist: Take each strip and gently twist it two or three times, creating a spiral shape. This movement will make your sunflower elegant and voluminous.
Finishing and Baking: Brush the entire surface of the pastry with beaten egg and decorate the petals with sesame seeds. Bake in a preheated static oven at 392°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is well golden and puffed.
The Final Touch: Remove from the oven and, while still very hot, gently remove the “lid” of pastry above the Camembert (or the top crust if you haven’t done it before) to reveal the melted heart.
Delicious Variants for the Savory Sunflower
Here are the variants to enrich your Puff Pastry and Camembert Appetizer.
1. The Tyrolean Variant (Speck and Rosemary): This is one of the most loved for the contrast between the saltiness of the cured meat and the sweetness of the cheese.
How to do it: Before layering the second pastry disc, place thin slices of speck on the base around the Camembert. Then proceed with the cuts. The speck will be trapped in the petals’ spirals, becoming crispy during baking.
2. The Mediterranean Variant (Pesto or Olive Pâté): For a touch of color (green or black) and an irresistible summer scent.
How to do it: Spread a thin layer of Genoese pesto or olive tapenade on the first pastry disc, leaving space only for the Camembert. Cover with the second disc and twist. The visual effect of the colored spirals will be beautiful!
3. The Rustic Variant (Honey, Walnuts, and Pepper): A refined combination, perfect for a gourmet appetizer among adults.
How to do it: Before baking, pour a teaspoon of honey over the Camembert (under the pastry) and scatter coarsely chopped walnut pieces between the petals after brushing them with the egg. The honey will slightly caramelize, pairing divinely with the cheese.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions: All About the Camembert Sunflower
Which Puff Pastry is Best to Use?
For this recipe, we recommend round and fresh puff pastry. If you have time, whole wheat puff pastry will give a more rustic touch, while the rectangular one would need to be cut, causing waste.
Can I Prepare the Sunflower in Advance?
You can assemble the sunflower and keep it in the fridge (covered) for a few hours before baking it. However, we recommend cooking it just before serving: the Camembert is at its creamiest when freshly baked. Once cold, the cheese tends to solidify again.
How Can I Reheat Leftovers?
If there are leftovers (hard to believe!), you can reheat them in a fan oven at 338°F for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it would make the puff pastry soft and gummy instead of crispy.
Should I Remove the White “Crust” of the Camembert?
No, the Camembert crust is edible and helps maintain the cheese’s shape during the first minutes of cooking. You simply need to score the top part or remove the puff pastry “lid” once baked to access the melted heart.
What Can I Use Instead of Camembert?
If you don’t like Camembert, you can replace it with a similarly shaped Brie. If you’re looking for a stronger flavor, a small Puzzone di Moena or a similar washed-rind cheese will work well, provided they have a round shape to serve as the “heart”.
