Cranberry Brie Bites are one of my go-to appetizers, especially during the holidays or for any gathering where I want something that looks fancy but is secretly super easy to make.
They’re the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and creamy, all wrapped up in a flaky, buttery package. Seriously, who can resist that?
These little bites are great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or even a cozy game night.
Recipe Overview: Cranberry Brie Bites
These are basically little pastry pockets filled with creamy Brie cheese and tart cranberry sauce. The combination is just amazing!
The buttery pastry gives a satisfying crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft, melted cheese and the slightly sweet, slightly tart cranberries.
You can serve them warm, straight from the oven, or even at room temperature. They’re delicious either way.
I love to serve these as an appetizer before a bigger meal, or as part of a snack spread with other finger foods.
They’re always a crowd-pleaser!
Detailed Ingredients for Brie Bites
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious bites:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (about 14.1 ounces), thawed: You can find this in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Make sure it’s thawed before you start working with it.
If you don’t have it, you can make your own, but it will be a lot of time. - 8 ounces Brie cheese, rind removed and cubed: Brie is a soft, creamy cheese that melts beautifully. Removing the rind is optional, but I find it melts better without it.
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce: You can use canned or homemade. I usually go for whole berry because I like the texture. If you only have jellied, that will work in a pinch!
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional): These add a nice crunch and nutty flavor. You can also use walnuts or leave them out altogether if you have nut allergies.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional): These make the bites look extra festive and add a hint of herby flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, lightly grease a mini muffin tin. This will prevent the pastry from sticking.
- Cut the Pastry: Unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the pastry into 24 equal squares.
- Fill the Muffin Tin: Gently press each pastry square into a mini muffin cup. It’s okay if the corners stick out – that actually looks kind of nice!
- Add the Brie: Place a cube of Brie cheese into each pastry-lined muffin cup. Don’t overfill it, or it might spill out while baking.
- Top with Cranberry Sauce: Spoon about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the Brie in each cup. Again, don’t go overboard.
- Add Pecans (Optional): If you’re using pecans, sprinkle a few chopped pieces over the cranberry sauce.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them – you don’t want the pastry to burn.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired. It should look puffy and golden brown.
Variations & Tips for the Best Cranberry Brie Bites
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cranberry sauce for a little heat.
- Make it sweeter: Drizzle a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup over the bites after baking.
- Use different nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, or even sliced almonds would be delicious.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the bites ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
- Storage: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. Or, quickly heat it in the microwave.
- Serve them warm, right when they are out of the oven or at room temperature.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15-20 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
- Servings: 24 bites
- Equipment you’ll need: Mini muffin tin, pizza cutter or sharp knife, lightly floured surface.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These little pastry pockets are filled with creamy Brie cheese and tart cranberry sauce, perfect for holidays or gatherings. They're a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and creamy, all wrapped in flaky puff pastry.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry about 14.1 ounces, thawed
- 8 ounces Brie cheese rind removed and cubed
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans optional
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
- Unfold thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 24 equal squares.
- Gently press each pastry square into a mini muffin cup.
- Place a cube of Brie cheese into each pastry-lined muffin cup.
- Spoon about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the Brie in each cup.
- If using pecans, sprinkle chopped pecans over the cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired.
