Easy Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Get ready to meet your new favorite party trick! These Easy Cranberry Brie Bites are the ultimate holiday appetizer—think buttery, flaky puff pastry hugging a pocket of melty, gooey brie and topped with a sweet-tart pop of cranberry. They look so elegant and impressive on a platter, but between us? They are incredibly simple to whip up. Whether you’re hosting a festive bash or just want a fancy-feeling snack for movie night, these little bites are pure magic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of creamy cheese, tart berries, and herbaceous rosemary is a flavor explosion that everyone raves about.
• Zero Stress: With just a few store-bought shortcuts like puff pastry, you can have these ready to pop in the oven in about 15 minutes.
• Perfectly Portable: These are the ideal “grab-and-go” finger food for parties—no forks or plates required!

Ingredients

Gather up these simple ingredients to create these little bites of heaven:

• Puff Pastry: This is the secret to that golden, shatteringly crisp crust. It makes everything feel like it came from a high-end bakery!
• Brie Cheese: Use a good quality wheel; it melts into a rich, buttery pool that pairs perfectly with the fruit.
• Cranberry Sauce: Use the whole berry kind for the best texture and a beautiful ruby-red look.
• Honey: A tiny drizzle adds a floral sweetness that balances out the earthy brie.
• Fresh Rosemary: This is the “secret ingredient” that adds a sophisticated, woody aroma and makes your kitchen smell like the holidays.
• Egg: Used as a wash to give your pastry that gorgeous, professional-looking golden sheen.
• Cooking Spray/Butter: To ensure these little gems pop right out of the tin without sticking.

Note: The ingredients with full measurements will be listed right under the article in the recipe card.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Give your mini muffin tin a good coating of cooking spray or melted butter so nothing sticks to the sides.

Step 2: Cut the Pastry

Roll out your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into 24 equal squares. Gently tuck each square into the mini muffin cups, letting the corners peek out—it gives them such a cute, rustic look!

Step 3: Layer the Flavors

Place a cube of brie into each pastry cup. Follow that with a small dollop of cranberry sauce, a tiny drizzle of honey, and a pinch of fresh rosemary.

Step 4: The Golden Touch

Brush the edges of the pastry with your beaten egg wash. This is what gives them that “wow” factor when they come out of the oven!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop them in the oven for 15-18 minutes. You’re looking for the pastry to be puffed up and beautifully golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the bites cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set just slightly so they don’t fall apart. Serve them warm and watch them disappear!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Work with Cold Pastry: Puff pastry is much easier to handle when it’s cold. If it gets too soft while you’re working, just pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes.
• Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pile on the cranberry sauce, but a little goes a long way! Too much filling can make the pastry soggy.
• Freeze the Brie: If your brie is too soft to cut easily, put the wheel in the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing. It’ll give you perfectly clean cubes!

How to Serve

• The Ultimate Platter: Arrange them on a wooden board with extra sprigs of fresh rosemary and perhaps some toasted walnuts for a stunning presentation.
• The Perfect Pairing: These go beautifully with a crisp glass of Prosecco or a sparkling cider.
• Holiday Spread: Serve these alongside other appetizers like Swedish meatballs or a savory spinach artichoke dip.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any left (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze these unbaked! Assemble them in the tin, freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 3–5 minutes to the timer.

Reheating

To keep that crunch, reheat them in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the pastry soft.

FAQs

1. Can I use Camembert instead of Brie? Absolutely! Camembert has a slightly stronger, earthier flavor but melts just as beautifully. It’s a fantastic substitute if you want a bolder taste.
2. Can I use leftover homemade cranberry sauce? Yes, please do! Homemade sauce is usually even more flavorful than canned. Just make sure it isn’t too liquidy, or it might run over the edges.
3. What if I don’t have a mini muffin tin? You can bake these on a regular parchment-lined baking sheet. They won’t have the “cup” shape and might spread a little more, but they will still taste incredible!
4. Can I make these savory instead of sweet? Definitely. You could swap the cranberry and honey for a dollop of fig jam and a slice of prosciutto, or even a little bit of pepper jelly for a spicy kick!