Cranberry Sausage Puff Pastry Bites with Creamy Filling

Dough:

• 1 ½ cups very warm water
• 1 Tbsp yeast
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, (more, if necessary)

Filling:

• ½ lb ground turkey
• ½ lb lean pork or turkey sausage
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• ½ cup cranberries (Craisins or dried cranberries)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup green onions, chopped
• 8 oz Neufchâtel or cream cheese
• Italian bread crumbs (for topping)

• For the dough: In a stand mixer combine very warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit about 5 minutes until bubbly. Add salt and flour, then knead on medium-low speed for 10 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic. Add a little more flour if needed. Form into a ball, lightly spray the mixing bowl, return the dough to the bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled, about 30–60 minutes depending on room temperature.
• Punch down the dough, then divide it into 20 even pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let them rise again until puffed, about 30 minutes. This resting step relaxes the dough so you can roll it thin while keeping a fluffy interior.
• Prepare the filling: In a large nonstick skillet, brown the sausage and drain any excess fat. Set aside. Brown the ground turkey, then return the sausage to the pan. Add the chopped white onion and dried cranberries, breaking the mixture up as you stir. Season with dried thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook until the onion is translucent. Stir in the green onions, then remove the pan from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange your work area with a greased baking sheet, flour for rolling, a rolling pin, a tool for sealing (fork or pastry wheel), a small bowl of water, cream cheese and a knife, the sausage mixture, and a 1/4-cup measure.
• Work with a few rolls at a time to prevent drying. Flatten each roll into an oval, moisten the perimeter with a fingertip, spoon about 1/4 cup of the sausage mixture into the center, and top with a teaspoon-sized slice of cream cheese. Fold the dough over and seal the edge with a fork or seal tool. Place on the greased sheet and cover with a towel between pieces to keep them from drying out.
• When all pillows are assembled, lightly spray the tops with cooking spray and sprinkle with a bit of Italian bread crumbs. Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.