If you’re looking for a bite-sized appetizer that’s pure magic, you simply have to try this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe. These little gems combine flaky puff pastry, smooth, melty brie, and that perfect tang of cranberry sauce to create a snack that everyone will be grabbing seconds of. I first made these at a holiday party, and trust me, once people get a taste, they just can’t stop. Stick with me here—I’ll walk you through every step so your Cranberry Brie Bites come out totally gorgeous and seriously delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: These cranberry brie bites come together so quickly and don’t require fancy skills.
- Perfect Party Food: Bite-sized and beautifully presented—they’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
- Flavor Harmony: The creamy brie and bright cranberry create an irresistible sweet-and-savory combo.
- Versatile and Customizable: Easy to swap nuts or herbs for your own twist.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here brings something special to the table; the flaky puff pastry acts as the perfect vessel for melty, rich brie and tart cranberry sauce. Trust me, together they create that wonderful balance of textures and flavors that make this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe stand out.
- Puff pastry sheets: Use good-quality, thawed sheets for that golden, flaky crust; the key is keeping it cold but pliable.
- Brie cheese: I prefer a creamy wheel or triangle; trimming the rind helps meld flavors better without overpowering.
- Whole cranberry sauce: Adds bright, tart sweetness and a little texture contrast.
- Egg (for egg wash): Gives the pastry that gorgeous golden sheen and helps edges crisp.
- Pecans (or walnuts/pistachios): These add a nice crunch and a toasty depth—plus, they’re pretty to look at.
- Rosemary or thyme (optional): Fresh herbs add an earthy aroma that elevates the bite.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking my Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand—and that’s the beauty of it! You can easily add your favorite nuts, swap herbs, or even experiment with sweet or spicy jams instead of cranberry sauce.
- Variation: One time, I switched pecans for chopped toasted pistachios and added a tiny drizzle of honey after baking—it was next level!
- Dietary Modifications: For a vegan version, try using puff pastry without butter and a dairy-free cheese alternative; it’s surprisingly good.
- Size Adjustments: If you’re serving a bigger crowd, these scale up perfectly, just use extra pastry sheets and cheese.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Thaw and Prep Your Puff Pastry
Make sure your puff pastry is thawed just right—it should be pliable but still cold so it doesn’t get sticky or tear easily. I usually take mine out about 40 minutes before starting, letting it sit on the counter with the package removed. When it’s ready, roll each sheet into a 12 by 9-inch rectangle to smooth out any folds, then cut into 3-inch squares to fit your mini muffin tins nicely.
Step 2: Form Your Pastry Cups
Place each square into the muffin tin, pressing gently to create little cups. This forms the perfect shell for holding the cheese and cranberry without leaking. Repeat with both sheets—you should end up with 24 bites. It’s super satisfying to see those perfect little bowls ready for fillings!
Step 3: Slice the Brie
Trim the rind off the sides of your brie if you want a cleaner texture, then cut it into 24 evenly sized pieces—about 1 inch long and half an inch wide. This way, every bite has that creamy cheese goodness without being overwhelming.
Step 4: Assemble the Bites
Pop a slice of brie into each pastry cup, then dollop about a teaspoon of whole cranberry sauce on top. The sauce doesn’t have to be perfectly neat—the rustic look somehow adds charm. Just make sure not to overfill or it might spill during baking.
Step 5: Egg Wash and Bake
Brush the edges of the puff pastry with your whisked egg to create a golden, shiny crust. Bake these beauties at 400ºF (190ºC) for 10 to 12 minutes until the pastry puffs up and turns a stunning golden brown. Keep an eye on them—the cheese sometimes melts out a bit; just scoop it back inside to keep each bite neat and cheesy!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Warm
Once out of the oven, let your cranberry brie bites cool in the tin for about 5 minutes (so you don’t burn your fingers like I have a few times!). Then transfer to a serving tray, sprinkle with chopped pecans and fresh rosemary or thyme. Warm, melty, and bursting with flavor—these are best enjoyed right away.
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Keep Puff Pastry Cold: Warm puff pastry can get sticky and difficult to work with, so refrigerate it if you’re taking breaks during prep.
- Don’t Overfill: Overstuffing the cups with cranberry sauce or cheese risks spills and uneven baking—less is more here.
- Use Whole Cranberry Sauce: I love the texture whole cranberries add over smooth jams; the pop of berry works beautifully against the brie.
- Serve Warm but Not Hot: Let them rest a few minutes after baking to set; hot cheese can be runny and lose flavor impact.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with chopped pecans and fresh rosemary—it adds a lovely crunch and that delightful pine-y aroma. Sometimes I’ll swap pecans for toasted walnuts or sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt for a savory edge. These little touches take the bites from yummy to wow.
Side Dishes
These bites pair nicely with a crisp green salad or charcuterie board, and if you want a warm side, a simple roasted vegetable platter complements nicely without stealing the spotlight. I once served them with a glass of sparkling wine—total crowd-pleaser!
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged the Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe on a festive platter lined with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries—so pretty and seasonal! Another time, I served them with little toothpicks or festive cocktail picks for easy grab-and-go snacking at a casual party. Presentation can really amp up the fun factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They still hold up well, but I recommend reheating them gently to get that flaky pastry back to perfection.
Freezing
You can freeze these bites successfully—just pop them into a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I gently reheat mine in a 350ºF oven for about 8-10 minutes, just until the pastry crisps back up and the brie gets warm again. Avoid the microwave—it tends to make the pastry soggy and much less enjoyable.
FAQs
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Can I use crescent dough instead of puff pastry for this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Crescent dough works well as a quicker alternative and bakes up nicely. Just roll it out into a rectangle and cut it into smaller squares since it’s thinner, then follow the same filling and baking instructions, adjusting the oven temp to 375ºF. The texture will be a little less flaky but still delicious.
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Can I prepare these cranberry brie bites in advance?
You can prep the pastry cups and cut the cheese ahead of time, even assemble the bites, then refrigerate covered for a few hours before baking. Just add the egg wash right before going into the oven for best results.
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What other fillings can I try besides cranberry sauce?
Fruit preserves like apricot, fig, or raspberry jam make fantastic alternatives. For a savory option, try caramelized onions or a dollop of honey mustard. The creamy brie pairs beautifully with many sweet or tangy flavors.
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How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?
Don’t overfill the pastry cups and make sure your puff pastry cups are firmly pressed into the muffin tin. If cheese spills over, you can gently spoon it back inside while it’s still warm in the oven. Keeping the slices small also helps control melting runoff.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become my go-to for holidays, parties, or anytime I want to impress with minimal effort. The combination of flaky pastry, creamy cheese, and tangy cranberry just never gets old, and it always draws compliments. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy all the praise, I promise. Plus, it’s a fun recipe to customize and make your own. So grab some puff pastry, and let’s make some magic in your kitchen!
Print
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cranberry Brie Bites are elegant, bite-sized appetizers featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy brie cheese and tangy cranberry sauce, topped with crunchy pecans and fragrant rosemary. Perfect for holiday parties or special occasions, these savory-sweet treats are baked until golden and served warm for a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 puff pastry sheets, defrosted if frozen
Filling
- 8 ounces brie, wheel or triangle
- ¼ cup whole cranberry sauce
Toppings and Finishing
- 1 large egg, whisked
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped (or walnuts or pistachios)
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, or thyme, optional
Instructions
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter until pliable but cool, about 40 minutes. Remove from packaging and keep covered with plastic wrap if not using immediately.
- Preheat the Oven: Position the oven rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 400ºF (190ºC).
- Prepare the Pastry: Roll each puff pastry sheet into a 12 by 9 inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 3 inch squares to make 12 pieces per sheet. Place each square into a mini muffin tin, gently pressing to form a small bowl shape. Repeat for both sheets to yield 24 pastry cups.
- Prepare the Cheese: Trim the rind from the edges of the brie and cut the cheese into 24 even pieces, approximately 1 inch long and ½ inch wide each.
- Assemble: Place one piece of brie into each puff pastry cup, then add 1 teaspoon of whole cranberry sauce on top of the cheese.
- Add Egg Wash: Lightly brush the exposed edges and corners of the puff pastry with the whisked egg to aid browning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. If any cheese spills over, carefully spoon it back into the center of the cups while still warm. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
- To Serve: Garnish the cranberry brie bites with chopped pecans and chopped rosemary or thyme. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Storing: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked bites in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Reheat frozen or refrigerated bites in an oven at 350ºF (177ºC) until warmed through and crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Using Crescent Dough: Substitute with an 8-ounce tube of refrigerated crescent dough sheet by rolling it into a rectangle and cutting into 24 smaller pieces. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 10 to 12 minutes until golden.
