# What You Need:
→ Puff Pastry Stars
01 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
02 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
03 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
→ Herbed Cream Cheese
04 - 7 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
08 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Assembly
09 - 5.3 ounces smoked salmon, sliced
10 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
11 - 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
12 - Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
13 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out stars and place on the prepared tray.
03 - Brush each star with beaten egg and sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds.
04 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and puffed. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
05 - In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dill, chives, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth and homogenous.
06 - Carefully slice each puff pastry star horizontally to create a top and bottom half.
07 - Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese on the bottom half of each star. Layer smoked salmon, cucumber slices, and capers on top. Place the top half over the fillings.
08 - Arrange assembled stars on a platter. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve alongside lemon wedges.
