These cranberry brie bites are little bites of holiday magic! Crispy, flaky pastry cups filled with creamy melted brie cheese and topped with sweet-tart cranberry sauce. They’re the perfect balance of flavors and textures that will have your guests reaching for seconds (and thirds)!

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My Love Affair with Cranberry Brie Bites

I still remember the first time I tasted cranberry brie bites at my friend’s holiday party three years ago. One bite and I was hooked! The combination of warm, gooey brie with tangy cranberry sauce wrapped in flaky pastry was absolutely heavenly. I immediately asked for the recipe and have been making them for every holiday gathering since then!

These little appetizers have become my signature dish that friends and family request year after year. What I love most about these brie bites is how fancy they look despite being so easy to make. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The beautiful red cranberry against the golden pastry makes these holiday appetizers look like little jewels on your serving platter! 🎄✨

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

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These cranberry brie bites are about to become your new favorite appetizer! Here’s why:

• 🕒 Super quick to prepare – Only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish!
• 👩‍🍳 Beginner-friendly – If you can place items in a muffin tin, you can make these!
• 🧀 Perfect flavor combination – The creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberries, and buttery pastry are a match made in heaven
• 👀 Impressive presentation – Looks like you spent hours in the kitchen (but we know better!)
• 🌱 Versatile – Use crescent rolls, puff pastry, or phyllo cups depending on what you have
• 🎁 Make-ahead friendly – Prep them earlier in the day and bake just before serving
• 🍽️ Crowd pleaser – Even picky eaters love these delicious bites!
• 🎄 Festive appearance – The red cranberry topping makes them perfect for holiday tables

Ingredients You’ll Need

For these delicious cranberry brie bites, you’ll need:

• Crescent roll dough (or puff pastry or phyllo cups)
• Brie cheese
• Cranberry sauce (whole berry or homemade)
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Fresh thyme or rosemary (for garnish)
• Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts

Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

Substitutions and Alternatives

Equipment Checklist

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Here’s everything you’ll need to make these cranberry brie bites:

How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites – Step by Step

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Follow these simple steps to make the most delicious cranberry brie bites appetizer:

1. Prep your oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray your mini muffin tin with cooking spray so the bites don’t stick .
2. Prepare the cranberry sauce (if making homemade): In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool slightly .

PRO TIP: If using store-bought cranberry sauce, mix in a teaspoon of orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon to give it that homemade flavor!

3. Prepare the pastry: If using crescent roll dough, unroll it and pinch the seams together to create one large rectangle. Cut the dough into 24 equal squares. Press each square into a mini muffin cup, forming a little cup .

PRO TIP: Freeze your brie for 15-20 minutes before cutting for easier slicing!

4. Add the brie: Cut the brie into 24 small pieces (about 1-inch squares). Place one piece in each pastry cup .
5. Add the cranberry sauce: Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of cranberry sauce on top of each brie piece .
6. Optional nut topping: If using, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cranberry sauce for extra crunch and flavor .
7. Bake to perfection: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly .
8. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for 2 minutes, then garnish with a small sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary and a little orange zest. Serve while still warm .

Pro Tips for Perfect Cranberry Brie Bites 💯

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Want to make sure your cranberry brie bites turn out amazing every time? Follow these professional tips:

• 🧊 Chill the brie beforehand – Pop it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to cut into neat pieces without making a mess
• 🔪 Don’t remove the brie rind – It’s completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape while baking
• 🥄 Use a small cookie scoop – This helps portion the cranberry sauce evenly without making a mess
• 🕒 Don’t overbake – Watch carefully as these can go from perfect to burnt quickly! The pastry should be golden, not brown
• 🔄 Rotate the pan halfway through – This ensures even baking, especially if your oven has hot spots
• 📆 Prep ahead – You can assemble these earlier in the day, refrigerate, and bake just before serving
• 💨 Try the air fryer – For a quick batch, cook them in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes
• 🔥 Let them cool slightly – The filling will be extremely hot right out of the oven; allow 2-3 minutes cooling time before serving

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

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These cranberry brie bites are best served warm when the cheese is still gooey and the pastry is crisp . They make a stunning addition to any holiday appetizer spread! 🎄

For a beautiful presentation, arrange them on a festive serving platter with some fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs scattered around for a pop of color. They pair wonderfully with:

• Sparkling wine or champagne
• Apple cider (regular or spiked)
• A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc
• Holiday punch

Storage Instructions:

• Refrigerator: Store leftover bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The pastry will soften in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave as it will make the pastry soggy.

Make Ahead Options:
You can prepare these cranberry brie bites in advance! Either:

1. Assemble completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold .
2. Pre-bake the pastry cups (step 1 only), store at room temperature for up to 24 hours, then fill and bake when ready to serve .

Freezing Instructions:
These are best made fresh, but if needed, you can freeze the assembled unbaked bites for up to 1 month. Bake straight from frozen, adding about 5 minutes to the baking time.

Nutritional Information

These cranberry brie bites are a treat that’s meant to be enjoyed in moderation during the holidays. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per bite:

Health Benefits:
While these are definitely a treat, they do offer some benefits! Brie cheese provides calcium and protein . The cranberries offer antioxidant benefits, and if you add nuts, you’ll get some healthy fats and additional protein.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Jessica Tran

Delightful bite-sized appetizers featuring creamy brie wrapped in flaky pastry and topped with sweet-tart cranberry sauce, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe! Saved!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 24 Bites

Equipment

• Mini muffin tin
• Sharp Knife
• Measuring spoons
• Small saucepan (for homemade cranberry sauce)
• Cooking spray
• Zester or grater

Ingredients

  

For the Pastry:

• 1 package Crescent roll dough or puff pastry or phyllo cups

For the Filling:

• 8 ounces Brie cheese cut into small squares
• 1 cup Cranberry sauce whole berry or homemade
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon Fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
• Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

For Garnish:

• Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs optional

Instructions

 

Prep the Oven and Muffin Tin:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Spray the mini muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Prepare the Cranberry Sauce (if making homemade):

• In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and cinnamon.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool slightly.
• (For store-bought sauce, mix in a teaspoon of orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon for added flavor.)

Prepare the Pastry:

• If using crescent roll dough, unroll and pinch seams together to form a large rectangle.
• Cut the dough into 24 equal squares.
• Press each square into a mini muffin cup, forming a little cup.

Assemble the Bites:

• Place a square of brie cheese in each pastry cup.
• Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of cranberry sauce on top of each piece of brie.
• If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture.

Bake:

• Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish and Serve:

• Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs if desired.
• Serve warm.

Video

Notes

hese bites can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they are cold from the fridge.
Enjoy your cranberry brie bites with sparkling wine, apple cider, or a crisp white wine for the perfect pairing!

More Festive Holiday Appetizers You’ll Love

If you enjoy these cranberry brie bites, you’ll also love these other festive appetizers that are perfect for holiday entertaining:

• Cranberry Brie Wreath Appetizer – A beautiful centerpiece that uses the same flavors in a stunning presentation
• Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts – Another easy, make-ahead appetizer that’s always a hit
• Spinach Balls – A delicious vegetarian option that pairs well with these brie bites
• Hot Brie Kisses – Another delicious brie appetizer for cheese lovers
• Blackened Shrimp – For a more substantial appetizer option

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Want to save this recipe for later? Pin it to your Pinterest Holiday Appetizers board! 📌

Essential Tools

Having the right tools makes preparing these cranberry brie bites even easier:

Must-Have Items:

• Mini Muffin Tin – A 24-cup non-stick mini muffin tin is perfect for this recipe
• Quality Chef’s Knife – For cleanly cutting the brie
• Microplane Zester – For getting the perfect orange zest

Comparison of Pastry Options

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make cranberry brie bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare these cranberry brie bites up to 24 hours in advance. Simply assemble them in the muffin tin, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, bake them directly from the refrigerator, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time . This make-ahead option is perfect for busy holiday entertaining!

2. What can I use instead of crescent roll dough?

You have several options if you can’t find or don’t want to use crescent rolls:

• Puff pastry – Cut into squares and press into muffin tin cups
• Phyllo cups – These come pre-formed and ready to fill, making prep even easier
• Wonton wrappers – Press into muffin cups for a lighter, crispier shell
• Phyllo sheets – Cut into squares and layer 2-3 sheets for each cup

Each option gives a slightly different texture but will work beautifully with the brie and cranberry filling!

3. Is it necessary to remove the rind from the brie?

No, there’s no need to remove the rind from the brie for this recipe. The rind is completely edible and actually helps the cheese hold its shape during baking. As the brie heats up, the inside becomes creamy while the rind maintains some structure, creating that perfect gooey bite .

4. Can I use something other than cranberry sauce?

Absolutely! While cranberry sauce gives these bites that classic holiday flavor, you can experiment with other fruit spreads:

• Fig jam pairs beautifully with brie for a sophisticated flavor
• Raspberry jam for a sweeter option
• Apple butter for a fall-inspired variation
• Orange marmalade for a citrusy twist

Any fruit preserve that pairs well with cheese will work in this recipe!

5. How do I know when the cranberry brie bites are done baking?

The cranberry brie bites are done when the pastry turns golden brown around the edges and the brie is melted and bubbly. This typically takes about 10-15 minutes in a 375°F oven. Be sure to watch them carefully toward the end of the baking time, as they can go from perfectly golden to overbrowned quickly. The cheese should be soft and gooey but not completely liquified .

Let’s Make These Cranberry Brie Bites Together! 🎄

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I hope you’re as excited to make these cranberry brie bites as I am to share the recipe with you! They truly are the perfect holiday appetizer that combines elegant flavors in an easy-to-make package. The creamy brie, tart cranberries, and flaky pastry create a flavor explosion that’s impossible to resist!

Whether you’re hosting a big holiday gathering or just want to make something special for family movie night, these cranberry brie appetizers are guaranteed to impress. And the best part? They look like you spent hours in the kitchen when they actually take just minutes to prepare!

I’d absolutely love to see your creation if you try this recipe! Take a photo and share it in the comments below or tag me on social media. And don’t forget to save this recipe to your Holiday Appetizers board on Pinterest so you can find it easily when you need a quick, impressive appetizer! 📌

Happy holidays and happy cooking! 🎄✨