| Prep Time: 10 minutes | Bake Time: 15 minutes | Yield: 24 bites |
When it comes to holiday entertaining, you need a recipe that delivers maximum elegance with minimum stress. Enter Cranberry Brie Bites. This dainty, delicious finger food looks like it came from a high-end caterer, but it is secretly one of the easiest recipes you will ever make.
Using just three simple ingredients—store-bought puff pastry, creamy Brie cheese, and cranberry sauce—you can create a bite-sized explosion of flavor that captures the essence of the season. The buttery, flaky pastry creates a perfect cup for the melted, savory cheese and the sweet-tart fruit topping. Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving, a Christmas cocktail party, or New Year’s Eve, these easy holiday appetizers are guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the platter.
Why You’ll Love This Appetizer
- Only 3 Ingredients: It creates a gourmet flavor profile using pantry staples and easy-to-find items.
- Fast Prep: You can assemble a whole tray in about 10 minutes.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of salty, creamy cheese and sweet, acidic cranberry sauce is universally loved.
- Vegetarian Friendly: A great meat-free option for the appetizer table that feels substantial and indulgent.
What It Tastes Like
Imagine a tiny, handheld baked brie. The exterior is crisp, airy, and buttery thanks to the puff pastry. Inside, the warm brie is gooey and mild, providing a rich, salty contrast to the zesty sweetness of the cranberry sauce. If you add the optional sprig of rosemary, you get an earthy, piney aroma that makes it taste like Christmas.
Ingredients & Quantities
This recipe makes 24 bites, filling one standard mini muffin tin.
- 1 sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed (from a standard 17.3 oz box)
- 1 wheel (8 oz) Brie Cheese
- 1/2 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1/4 cup Pecans, chopped (optional, for crunch)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary, cut into tiny pieces (optional, for garnish)
- Flour (for dusting the counter)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Roll and Cut Pastry: Unfold the thawed 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to gently roll over the seams to flatten them. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry sheet into 24 small squares (cut 4 rows by 6 rows).
- Form the Cups: Place one square of puff pastry into each slot of the mini muffin tin. Gently press the center down to create a small cup shape.
- Prep the Brie: Cut the 8 oz wheel of Brie cheese into 24 small cubes (about 3/4 inch size). Pro Tip: You can leave the rind on! It is edible and melts nicely. If you prefer to remove it, freeze the cheese for 20 minutes first to make it easier to slice.
- Fill: Place one cube of Brie into each pastry cup. Top the cheese with a teaspoon of the 1/2 cup cranberry sauce.
- Top (Optional): If using, sprinkle a pinch of chopped pecans and a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary on top of the cranberry sauce.
- Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing. This allows the cheese to set slightly so they don’t fall apart when you pick them up. Serve warm.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pastry will lose some crispness.
- Reheating: To restore the flaky texture, reheat them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes. Do not microwave, as the pastry will become soggy.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the bites in the muffin tin (pastry, cheese, cranberry) and refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry? Yes, you can! Pinch the seams of the crescent dough sheet together to make one large rectangle, then cut into squares. The texture will be slightly more doughy and bread-like than the flaky puff pastry, but still delicious.
Can I use a different jam? Absolutely. Fig jam, apricot preserves, or spicy pepper jelly are all incredible pairings with Brie cheese.
Do I need to blind bake the pastry? No. The pastry cooks perfectly along with the cheese filling. Just ensure your oven is fully preheated to get that nice “puff.”
Conclusion
These Cranberry Brie Bites are the secret weapon of holiday hosting. They look impressive, taste divine, and require almost zero effort. Add them to your menu this year and watch them vanish!
