Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
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Cranberry brie bites are the perfect bite-sized appetizers for all your special occasions. Quick and easy, quite fancy, and oh-so-pretty! With creamy brie, buttery puff pastry, sweet-tart cranberry, and crunchy pecans in every bite, they’re sooo good that you’d want to make a whole batch just for yourself! The best part? You only need 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time to make these beauties.
We all need that one go-to appetizer to entertain guests or to bring to parties. You know, that one dish that leaves everyone asking for the recipe. In my case, it’s baked brie bites. Who can resist melty cheese wrapped in flaky puff pastry and then topped with tangy cranberry sauce and pecans for added crunch? The sprig of rosemary completes the package, and you’ve got a total show stealer.
They’re always a hit whenever I serve them, whether at a laid-back get-together or a more formal gathering. They’re great for birthdays, dinner parties, or holiday celebrations, but my family and I often enjoy them for Sunday brunch because why not? These brie bites are outrageously easy to make!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe is as simple as prep, assemble, and bake. Almost effortless for such fabulous fare!
- Perfect flavor combo: The rich and creamy brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce are a match made in heaven.
- Fancy, without the fuss: They look and taste gourmet, yet incredibly easy to whip up.
- Year-round treat: Cranberry brie bites make a great Christmas treat, but you can easily switch up the flavors based on the holiday or time of year.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepping for a weekend party? Simply assemble the bites in the muffin pan and refrigerate, unbaked, for up to 3 days before baking. Entertaining, made easy!
- Versatile: Brie bites are delicious fresh out of the oven, but they’re equally tasty when served at room temperature. Great for potlucks or buffets!
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry brie bites have it all – a little sweet, a little savory, and a whole lot of delicious! They’re quick to assemble and bake to perfection. Simply fill puff pastry cups with brie, top with cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of pecans, and bake until golden. You’ll have a winning appetizer in just 25 minutes!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Puff pastry dough: I use store-bought to simplify the process, but you can also make your own. I buy frozen dough and defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, although semi-frozen dough is also fine to use.
- Brie cheese: Creamy, buttery brie adds richness and smoothness to every bite. The rind is edible, and it helps hold all of the melty cheese inside while it bakes. No need to remove it before baking!
- Whole berry cranberry sauce: Brings a pop of flavor and color that perfectly complements the rich brie.
- Pecans: Adds a nice texture contrast to the creamy filling.
- Rosemary sprigs: Used as a garnish for a touch of festive flair and added visual appeal.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to make your own cranberry brie bites? Follow these simple steps to assemble, bake, and serve up this party favorite in no time.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a mini muffin pan well.
Unroll the puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured surface. Puff pastry dough is approximately 10×15 inches. Therefore, each portion is approximately 3.5 x 3.3 inches.
Cut both sheets into 4 strips lengthwise and 3 across the width to form 12 portions per sheet, so there should be 24 in total. Press the squares into the muffin tin to form a cup. The pastry dough should extend well over the muffin cup. Prick the bottom of each cup 3 times with a fork.
Step 2: Assemble
Next, cut the brie into 24 equal pieces. Arrange one piece in the center of each muffin cup.
Top each with 2 teaspoons of sauce and a sprinkle of pecans.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 15-17 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the edges are completely puffed. Garnish each with a sprig of rosemary.
Substitutions
If you’re in the mood to mix things up, or need to work with what you’ve got, there are plenty of easy swaps for this recipe! Here are my recommended substitutions:
- Puff pastry dough: Can’t get your hands on puff pastry dough? Use an 8-oz crescent dough sheet, an 8-oz (250 g) ball of pizza dough, or mini phyllo cups instead.
- Cranberry sauce: No sauce? Use cranberry jam or jelly instead.
- Pecans: Swap out pecans for chopped almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pine nuts.
Variations
Just when you thought that these cranberry brie bites couldn’t get any better, a few tweaks or additions can make them uniquely yours. Try these equally delicious brie bites variations to fit your taste or seasonal ingredients!
- Sweeten the deal with a touch of honey over the cranberry sauce before baking for some extra sugary goodness!
- After baking, drizzle balsamic glaze on top for a hint of acidity that balances the sweetness.
- Replace cranberry sauce to fit your mood or the season – mango chutney or apricot jam are great for summer, apple butter or pumpkin preserves are perfect for fall, strawberry rhubarb jam or lemon curd are ideal for springtime, and spiced fig jam or pomegranate jelly make the best winter brie bites!
- For a savory layer, spread a bit of caramelized onions on the puff pastry before adding the brie and cranberry.
- Crumbled crispy bacon on top of the brie adds a delicious savory crunch!
Expert Tips
- Thaw puff pastry properly: If using ready-made puff pastry, make sure to thaw it out according to the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
- Grease your muffin tin well: Make sure to grease the muffin tin generously before adding the puff pastry to prevent the bites from sticking and so they can come out easily after baking, leaving you with perfectly shaped appetizers.
- Freeze the brie: I recommend popping the Brie into the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes before prepping the recipe for easier slicing.
- Don’t overfill: Follow the recommended amount of filling for each cup. Otherwise, it may overflow while baking, making a mess and affecting the final presentation.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer leftovers into an airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 days. To freeze, cool baked brie bites completely, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet, then freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
To reheat, place bites in a mini muffin tin and heat in the oven at 350 F until warmed through. Frozen brie bites can be reheated directly.
What to Serve with Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry brie bites look gorgeous on a charcuterie board alongside cured meats, assorted cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts. Serve them with a fresh salad and enjoy with seasonal drinks like cranberry margarita or slow cooker mulled wine.
If you make these cranberry brie bites, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Baked Brie Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry dough
- 8 ounces Brie cheese
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- ⅓ cup pecans finely chopped
- 5 sprigs rosemary cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.
- Unroll the puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut both sheets into 4 strips lengthwise and 3 across the width to form 12 portions per sheet, 24 total.
- Press the squares into the muffin tin to form a cup. Prick the bottom of each cup 3 times with a fork.
- Cut the brie into 24 equal pieces. Arrange one piece in the center of each muffin cup.
- Top each with 2 teaspoons of sauce and a sprinkle of pecans.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the edges are completely puffed. Garnish each with rosemary.
Notes
- If using ready-made puff pastry, make sure to thaw it out according to the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
- Make sure to grease the muffin tin generously before adding the puff pastry to prevent the bites from sticking and so they come out easily after baking.
- I recommend popping the Brie into the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes before prepping the recipe for easier slicing.
- Follow the recommended amount of filling for each cup. Otherwise, it may overflow while baking, making a mess and affecting the final presentation.
