If you’re looking to wow guests with a stunning yet simple appetizer, this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is an absolute must-try! These little pockets combine flaky puff pastry, creamy brie, tangy cranberry sauce, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant thyme for a bite-sized explosion of flavor that feels both festive and cozy.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Easy to prep: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal steps, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining.
Elegant and impressive: These bites look like something you’d find at a fancy party but come together effortlessly.
Perfect balance of flavors: The creamy brie and tart cranberry sauce play beautifully against the crisp pastry and crunchy walnuts.
Versatile and customizable: You can swap nuts or herbs or use your favorite cranberry sauce to make it your own.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The beauty of this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient has a role, lending richness, tartness, texture, or aroma that brings the whole bite together in perfect harmony.
- Frozen puff pastry: Creates that golden, flaky shell that’s buttery and irresistible—make sure it’s thawed but still cold for easy handling.
- Brie cheese: The star of the show with a luscious, creamy texture that melts nicely. Using cold brie helps for neat slicing.
- Cranberry sauce: Adds a sweet-tart punch; homemade or store-bought both work wonderfully.
- Walnuts: Finely chopped for a pleasant crunch; pecans or pecan halves can be great substitutions.
- Fresh thyme leaves: Just a few add herbaceous aroma and subtle earthiness—avoid woody stems.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and spraying two muffin tins with cooking spray. On a floured surface, roll out each thawed puff pastry sheet into a 10×15 inch rectangle—it’s important to get an even shape so you can cut neat squares. Then slice the pastry into 12 equal squares per sheet, making sure to follow the folds as natural guides.
Step 2: Fill and Assemble the Bites
Gently press each puff pastry square into the muffin pan wells to form little cups. Cut your brie into 24 bite-size pieces, placing one inside each pastry cup. Top with about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a single fresh thyme leaf for that beautiful finishing touch.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Pop the muffin pans into the oven for 15-18 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the pastry puffs up into a golden brown and the brie starts to melt and bubble beneath the cranberry topping. Allow the bites to cool for five minutes after baking—they’re easier to remove and perfect for serving warm.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh thyme leaves are fantastic for garnishing these bites, giving them a pop of color and subtle fragrance. You can also dust them lightly with a bit of flaky sea salt or add a tiny drizzle of honey for a sweet contrast.
Side Dishes
Pair these bites with a crisp green salad dressed with vinaigrette, a bowl of mixed nuts, or even a festive charcuterie board to elevate your appetizer spread and complement the rich flavors in the cranberry brie bites.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your cranberry brie bites on a rustic wooden board or atop a gleaming silver platter for that special occasion feeling. Add little toothpicks decorated with miniature ribbons or herbs to make grabbing these delightful treats easy and stylish at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your leftover cranberry brie bites keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. This gives you a tasty snack or quick party treat ready to heat and enjoy again without losing their charm.
Freezing
Freeze baked bites for up to two months by wrapping them well and storing in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to relish them, reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to keep that crisp pastry texture intact.
Reheating
The best way to reheat cranberry brie bites is in the oven or toaster oven to preserve the flaky texture—about 10 minutes at 350°F does the trick. If you’re in a hurry, popping a single piece in the microwave for 20 seconds wrapped in a paper towel works but expect softer pastry.
FAQs
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Can I make these cranberry brie bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the bites up to three days in advance and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. This makes hosting stress-free and smooth.
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What can I substitute for walnuts if I have allergies?
Pecans, almonds, or even pumpkin seeds make excellent nut alternatives for texture and flavor. Just chop finely to fit nicely on top.
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Can I use homemade cranberry sauce in this recipe?
Yes! Homemade cranberry sauce adds a fresh, vibrant touch. Just ensure it’s thick enough so it doesn’t make the pastry soggy while baking.
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How do I prevent the brie from leaking during baking?
Use cold brie cut into small pieces and don’t overfill the pastry cups. The cranberry sauce and nut topping also help hold everything in place as it bakes.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe never fails to impress with its delightful flavors and effortless preparation. Once you try these beauties, they’re sure to become your go-to holiday appetizer or anytime treat to share with friends and family. Give it a whirl—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cranberry Brie Bites are delightful, bite-sized appetizers featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy brie cheese, tart cranberry sauce, crunchy walnuts, and fresh thyme. These elegant treats are perfect for holiday parties or any festive gathering, offering a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- All-purpose flour for dusting
- 2 count box frozen puff pastry, thawed and refrigerated
Filling
- 8 ounce wheel brie cheese, refrigerated
- 1 1/4 cups cranberry sauce
- 2/3 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 24 fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Muffin Pans and Oven: Spray two muffin pans with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If using only one muffin pan, plan to make the recipe in two batches.
- Roll Puff Pastry: Sprinkle all-purpose flour on a clean, hard surface and lay one thawed puff pastry sheet on it. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin into a 10×15 inch rectangle, slightly larger than the original 9×9 inch sheet.
- Cut Pastry into Squares: Cut the rolled pastry into 12 even squares by first slicing it into three strips lengthwise along the fold lines, then making three perpendicular cuts evenly spaced, yielding a total of 12 squares.
- Place Pastry in Muffin Pans: Gently press each pastry square into a muffin pan cavity. If using two pans, repeat with the second puff pastry sheet; if only one pan is available, refrigerate the extra pastry for the second batch.
- Prepare Brie Cheese: Cut the brie wheel into 24 small bite-sized pieces while it remains cold to ensure easier handling.
- Assemble Bites: Place one piece of brie into each pastry square within the muffin pan cavities.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon a small amount (just under one tablespoon) of cranberry sauce atop each brie piece evenly.
- Top with Walnuts and Thyme: Sprinkle chopped walnuts over each bite and add one fresh thyme leaf on top for garnish and flavor.
- Bake: Place the muffin pans in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the pastries turn golden brown and the filling starts to bubble.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bites cool in the pan for about five minutes. If two batches are required, carefully take out the baked bites before preparing the next batch. Serve warm for the best taste.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual bites wrapped in a paper towel in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cranberry brie bites for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- Make Ahead: Assemble unbaked bites up to 3 days in advance and keep refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Tips: Use a mini muffin tin to create smaller bites by cutting the pastry into 24 pieces and baking for approximately 12 minutes. Work with cold brie for easier cutting. Avoid overfilling as cheese and sauce bubble during baking. Use fresh thyme or rosemary leaves only, not stems.
