Stop your search for the perfect holiday party food! These Irresistible Cranberry Brie Bites are the one-bite wonders that will disappear from the platter in minutes. Combining buttery, flaky puff pastry with creamy, melted brie and a sweet-tart pop of cranberry sauce, they are the definition of festive perfection. Whether you're rounding out your list of thanksgiving appetizer recipes or need some incredible Xmas finger food, this is the simple, showstopping recipe you've been looking for.
They look elegant, taste gourmet, but are secretly one of the easiest holiday apps you’ll ever make. With just 5 simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes in the oven, you can create a truly memorable bite that guests will rave about all season long.
Why You'll Love This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Effortlessly Elegant: These bites look like they came from a high-end caterer but require minimal effort. They're the perfect way to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Only 5 Ingredients: You only need puff pastry, brie, cranberry sauce, pecans, and a sprig of rosemary to create this masterpiece. It’s simplicity at its most delicious.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: You get a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite—flaky pastry, creamy cheese, tangy fruit, and a nutty crunch. It's a classic holiday combination for a reason.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble these bites ahead of time and pop them in the oven just as guests arrive, filling your home with an incredible aroma.
- The Ultimate Holiday & Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe: From Thanksgiving gatherings to Christmas parties and New Year's Eve celebrations, these savory brie bites are a guaranteed hit for any festive occasion.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe comes together with just a handful of simple, high-impact ingredients.
- Puff Pastry: One sheet of all-butter puff pastry, thawed. This is the flaky, golden vessel for our delicious filling. Find it in the freezer aisle.
- Brie Cheese: A 4-ounce wheel of brie. No need to trim the rind—it's completely edible and adds a wonderful texture and subtle earthy flavor when baked.
- Cranberry Sauce: Use a good quality store-bought version (whole berry is best!) or your favorite homemade recipe.
- Candied Pecans: For that essential sweet crunch. You can substitute with toasted walnuts or leave them out if you have a nut allergy.
- Fresh Rosemary: A few sprigs for garnish. This isn't just for looks; the aromatic piney scent perfectly complements the rich cheese and sweet cranberry.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let's assemble these beautiful holiday bites. It’s as easy as prep, fill, and bake!
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup mini muffin tin with non-stick spray to ensure the bites pop out easily.
- Cut the Pastry: On a lightly floured work surface, gently unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice the sheet into 12 equal squares.
- Form the Cups: Gently press each pastry square into a cup of the prepared mini muffin tin. The corners will poke up, creating a beautiful, rustic cup shape.
- Fill the Bites: Place one cube of brie cheese into the center of each pastry cup. Top the brie with a small dollop (about ½ teaspoon) of cranberry sauce, followed by a sprinkle of chopped candied pecans.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is deeply golden brown, puffed, and the filling is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the bites cool in the tin for 5 minutes. This is crucial for letting the molten cheese set slightly. Carefully remove them from the tin and arrange them on a serving platter. Garnish each bite with a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary before serving warm.
Expert Tips for Success
Choosing Your Ingredients
- Brie Rind: Don't fear the rind! It holds the cheese together as it bakes and becomes soft and delicious. Trimming it off can cause the cheese to melt out of the pastry.
- Cranberry Sauce: For the best texture, choose a whole-berry cranberry sauce over a jellied one. Fig jam or orange marmalade also make fantastic substitutes for a different flavor profile.
- Keep it Cold: For the flakiest results, make sure your puff pastry stays cold. If it becomes too warm and sticky while you're working, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- To Make Ahead: Assemble the Cranberry Brie Bites completely in the muffin tin, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake straight from the fridge, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Storage: These are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to re-crisp the pastry.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Savory Brie Bites with Prosciutto: Swap the cranberry sauce for fig jam and tuck a small piece of prosciutto alongside the brie before baking.
- Spicy & Sweet: Add a tiny, paper-thin slice of jalapeño on top of the brie for a surprising kick of heat.
- Apple Cinnamon: Use finely diced, cinnamon-spiced apples instead of cranberry sauce for a cozy, fall-inspired appetizer.
- Caramelized Onion & Thyme: For a deeply savory version, skip the cranberry and use a spoonful of caramelized onion jam and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
Effortless Cranberry Brie Bites: The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Holiday Appetizer
Discover the ultimate holiday showstopper with these incredibly easy Cranberry Brie Bites. Featuring flaky puff pastry, creamy melted brie, and sweet cranberry sauce, this 5-ingredient recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for anyone searching for delicious thanksgiving appetizer recipes, these bites are elegant, festive, and disappear in minutes!
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Servings: 12 bites
Calories: 120kcal
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed according to package directions
- 4 oz brie cheese rind on, cut into 12 equal cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce high-quality store-bought or homemade
- 2 tbsp candied pecans chopped, optional for added crunch
- sprigs fresh rosemary for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup mini muffin tin with non-stick spray to guarantee the bites release easily.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the sheet into 12 even squares.
- Carefully press each pastry square into a cup of the prepared muffin tin, allowing the corners to point upwards to form a small cup.
- Place one cube of brie cheese into each pastry cup. Top each with about a half-teaspoon of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of chopped candied pecans, if using.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the filling is delightfully bubbly.
- Allow the Cranberry Brie Bites to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve warm.
Equipment
- Mini muffin tin
Notes
For a delicious variation, swap the cranberry sauce with fig jam and tuck a small piece of prosciutto alongside the brie before baking. You can also assemble these bites up to 24 hours ahead; simply cover and refrigerate, then bake from cold, adding 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.4mg
