Introduction

Baked Cheese Mummies are a fun and spooky snack perfect for Halloween or any festive gathering. Gooey melted cheese wrapped in flaky puff pastry strips makes for an irresistible treat that’s both playful and delicious.

The image shows several small mummy-shaped bread rolls on a white marbled textured surface. Each roll has a golden-brown baked crust with lighter, creamy dough strips crisscrossed on top to look like mummy wrappings. The strips vary in thickness and have a slightly shiny, smooth texture with some darker browned edges. Two black olive halves are placed near the top center of each roll to resemble eyes. The rolls have a soft, round base layer with the dough strips layered unevenly across, giving a wrapped appearance. Small brown crumbs and baked bits scatter around the rolls on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 sheets thawed puff pastry
14 Mini Babybel® cheeses (wax removed)
1/3 cup honey or your favorite jam
1 large egg
1 teaspoon water
28 candy eyes or mini chocolate chips
1-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 teaspoon of water to make the egg wash. Remove the wax coating from the Mini Babybel® cheeses.
Step 2: Lightly flour your work surface and unroll one sheet of puff pastry. Gently roll it out to smooth any creases if needed. Cut each pastry sheet into 7 equal rectangles (14 total). Transfer the rectangles to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Place one Mini Babybel® cheese in the center of each rectangle, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around.
Step 3: Cut remaining pastry or trimmings into thin strips about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Wrap each cheese-filled rectangle with pastry strips, crisscrossing them like mummy bandages. Press the ends gently onto the base rectangle to secure, leaving a small gap near the top third as a ‘face’ area. Repeat for all 14 pieces. Refrigerate the wrapped mummies on the baking sheets for 10-15 minutes to firm up.
Step 4: Remove the chilled mummies from the refrigerator. Lightly brush the tops and any exposed pastry with the egg wash. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly. If using two baking sheets, swap their positions halfway through baking for even cooking. Allow them to cool on the sheets for a few minutes after baking.
Step 5: Carefully transfer the mummies to a wire rack to cool slightly. Once warm enough to handle, place two candy eyes or mini chocolate chips onto the ‘face’ area of each mummy. Let them cool for another 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with honey or your favorite jam for dipping.

Tips & Variations

Use different types of soft cheeses wrapped in puff pastry for variety, such as brie or camembert.
Try flavored jams like fig or apricot for a sweet contrast to the savory cheese.
If you don’t have candy eyes, mini chocolate chips make a great substitute for decorating the faces.
For extra crispiness, chill the wrapped mummies well before baking and use cold egg wash.

Storage

Store leftover baked cheese mummies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. They are best enjoyed warm but can be served at room temperature as well.

How to Serve

There are several small round breads wrapped with thin golden-brown strips of dough, arranged on white parchment paper, each resembling a mummy. Each bread has two black, round olive pieces placed as eyes on top, set against the pale dough underneath the strips. The breads have a shiny, slightly crispy surface with some stripes darker than others, showing a well-baked texture. The overall look is playful and festive, with the breads evenly spaced on the parchment with minor crumbs scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the mummies ahead of time?

Yes, you can wrap the cheese in pastry and refrigerate them for up to an hour before baking. For best results, bake them fresh right after chilling.

What if I don’t have puff pastry?

Puff pastry provides the signature flaky texture, but you can try using phyllo dough or crescent roll dough as alternatives, keeping in mind the texture and baking times may vary.