When it comes to holiday entertaining, the goal is always to maximize flavor and elegance while minimizing stress. These Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry are the perfect answer. This recipe is a showstopper that requires just three main ingredients, comes together in under 15 minutes of active prep time, and delivers a warm, flaky, and gooey bite of holiday perfection.
Imagine: A crisp, buttery cup of golden puff pastry cradling a melting cube of creamy Brie, topped with a jewel-toned dollop of tart cranberry sauce. It’s the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and rich textures, and they vanish from the appetizer tray almost instantly.
The secret to the speed and flaky texture is store-bought puff pastry, the greatest shortcut in holiday baking. We’ll show you the simple trick to turning a sheet of pastry into 24 beautiful mini cups, ensuring every single bite is perfectly uniform. Say goodbye to complicated cheese boards and hello to your new favorite stress-free holiday tradition—these Cranberry Brie Bites are guaranteed to be your most requested appetizer!
Why This 3-Ingredient Recipe is a Holiday Sensation
These simple bites owe their massive popularity and Pinterest success to a few key factors that make them ideal for busy hosts.
- The 3-Ingredient Shortcut: At its core, this recipe only needs puff pastry, Brie cheese, and cranberry sauce. This simplicity makes it a breeze to shop for and assemble, even at the last minute.
- Built-in Portion Control: Serving appetizers in individual portions is easy for guests and looks naturally elegant. The muffin tin creates perfect, individual puff pastry cups every time.
- Ideal Flavor Contrast: The sharp, earthy notes of the Brie rind, the creamy melt of the interior, and the sweet-tart punch of cranberry create a perfect flavor balance that appeals to every palate.
- Freezer-Friendly Prep: The individual components and even the fully assembled (unbaked) bites can be prepped ahead of time, freeing up your oven and your time on the day of your event.
- Stunning Visual Appeal: The bright red cranberry sauce and the flaky, golden pastry are instantly festive and visually appealing, making them a high-performing pin on social media.
Ingredients
Keep it simple! You only need three main ingredients for these perfect party bites.
For the Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 sheet (14.1 ounces) all-butter puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- 8 ounces (1 large wheel) Brie cheese, chilled
- 1/2 cup prepared cranberry sauce (homemade or canned whole-berry sauce)
For Optional Garnish & Glaze
- 1 large egg, beaten (for the egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water or milk (to thin the egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for sprinkling)
- Garnish: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios (about 2 Tbsp) and fresh rosemary sprigs
Step-by-Step Instructions: Prep, Press, and Bake
The key to these perfect bites is ensuring the pastry is cut evenly and that your Brie is cubed cleanly before baking.
Part 1: Preparing the Pastry and Brie (10 Minutes)
- Thaw the Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions (usually about 40 minutes at room temperature). Keep it chilled until you are ready to use it, as warm puff pastry is difficult to work with.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400∘F (200∘C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut the Pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the pastry sheet into 12 equal squares.
- Cube the Brie: While the Brie is still cold (it cuts cleaner when cold), cut the entire wheel into 12 small cubes (about 1/2 inch each). The rind is left on, as it helps the cheese hold its shape slightly while melting.
- Press into Muffin Tin: Gently press one pastry square into each cup of the prepared muffin tin, pressing it against the sides and bottom to form a pastry cup. The corners of the square will stick up—this is perfect, as it gives the pastry that signature flaky edge.
Part 2: Assembling and Baking (15 Minutes)
- Fill the Cups: Place one cube of Brie cheese into the center of each pastry cup. Top the Brie with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce (about 1 heaping teaspoon).
- Egg Wash (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water/milk together. Lightly brush the edges of the exposed puff pastry with the egg wash for a beautiful golden shine. If desired, lightly sprinkle the pastry edges with a pinch of brown sugar.
- Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is fully golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling gently.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the bites from the muffin tin (a small offset spatula or butter knife helps lift them). Immediately sprinkle the tops with chopped nuts and place a tiny fresh rosemary sprig on top for a festive, pine-like garnish. Serve warm.
Pro Tips for the Ultimate Flaky Bites
These simple appetizers are easy to master, but a few professional tips will ensure maximum flakiness and prevent any gooey leaks.
- Puff Pastry Temperature is Critical: The number one rule for flaky pastry is to keep it cold! Cold puff pastry has distinct layers of butter that steam when baked, creating the puff. If the pastry gets warm, the butter melts, and you lose the flakiness. Work quickly, and if your kitchen is warm, pop the assembled tray into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking.
- The Brie Cube: Cut the Brie into cubes and keep them in the freezer for about 5 minutes before placing them into the pastry cups. Starting with frozen or very cold cheese prevents it from melting and leaking too fast before the pastry has time to puff up.
- Use Full-Berry Cranberry Sauce: Avoid the smooth, jellied canned sauce, as it often has a higher liquid content and can boil over and burn easily. Whole-berry cranberry sauce (homemade or canned) is thicker and holds its texture better in the center of the cheese.
- Don’t Over-Bake: Pull the bites out the moment the pastry is golden. Over-baking can cause the Brie to completely dry out or leak excessively. A perfectly baked bite has a fully puffed, golden crust and slightly gooey, visible cheese.
- The Best Muffin Tin Technique: Press the pastry down firmly into the bottom of the muffin tin cups. This ensures a nice, flat base that holds the cheese and prevents the pastry from shrinking away from the sides.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
While the classic cranberry and Brie combination is perfect, you can easily use this simple puff pastry template for countless flavor variations.
Pairing and Presentation
- Serving Temperature: These bites are best served warm, as the cheese is gooey and the pastry is flaky. If they cool too much, you can reheat them briefly in a 350∘F oven for 5 minutes.
- Dippers: While they are a complete bite, you can serve them alongside small side bowls of fig jam or a hot pepper jelly for guests who want an extra layer of sweetness or heat.
- The Appetizer Tree: Arrange the finished bites on a round platter in the shape of a Christmas tree or a wreath, garnishing the empty spaces on the platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Creative Filling Variations (Swap the Cranberry Sauce)
- Fig and Walnut Bites: Substitute the cranberry sauce with fig jam and sprinkle with finely chopped toasted walnuts. The earthy flavor is incredibly sophisticated.
- Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato: For a savory Italian spin, omit the cranberry and fill the cups with a dollop of basil pesto, a cube of Brie, and a tiny piece of sun-dried tomato. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.
- Bacon Jam and Chive: Use a small spoonful of sweet and savory bacon jam in the base, top with Brie, and garnish with finely snipped fresh chives.
- Caramelized Onion and Thyme: Sauté thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt until deeply caramelized. Use this as the filling base, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make Cranberry Brie Bites ahead of time? Yes, absolutely, and this is highly recommended for stress-free entertaining!
- Prep and Freeze (Up to 1 Month): Fully assemble the bites (pastry, Brie, and cranberry in the muffin tin). Do NOT bake. Place the entire muffin tin in the freezer until the bites are completely solid (about 2 hours). Pop the frozen bites out of the tin and store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Bake from frozen at 400∘F, adding about 5-8 minutes to the total baking time (about 20 minutes total).
- Prep and Refrigerate (24 Hours): Assemble the bites completely and store the muffin tin (covered loosely with plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.
- My cheese leaked out! How do I prevent this? Minor leakage is common, but excessive leakage means the cheese melted too quickly before the pastry set.
- Chill the Brie: Use very cold (or slightly frozen) cheese cubes.
- High Heat: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to 400∘F. The quick, high heat helps the pastry set fast and contain the cheese.
- Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry? Yes, you can. Crescent roll dough (especially the seamless sheets) is a great substitute. The result will be softer and breadier, not as flaky, but still delicious. If using crescent dough, you may need to reduce the baking time by 2-3 minutes.
- What is the best way to reheat leftovers? To keep the pastry flaky, do not reheat them in the microwave. Place any leftovers on a baking sheet and reheat them in a 325∘F (160∘C) oven for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted again.
- How do I get the perfect golden color? Brush the edges of the pastry with a simple egg wash (one egg beaten with a splash of water or milk). This gives the pastry a beautiful, high-gloss, golden finish.
These Cranberry Brie Bites are the holiday appetizer solution you’ve been looking for—simple, elegant, and irresistibly delicious. Enjoy the ease and the applause!
Don’t forget to Pin this quick recipe for later and share your favorite holiday appetizer shortcut in the comments below!
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
These easy cranberry brie bites are a delicious and elegant holiday appetizer made with crescent dough, creamy brie, and tangy cranberry sauce. Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s gatherings.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush a mini muffin tin with melted butter.
- Unroll crescent dough and cut into 24 small squares. Press each square into a mini muffin cup.
- Add one cube of brie to each cup and top with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle each with a pinch of chopped rosemary and pecans if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before removing from pan. Serve warm.
Notes
Best served warm straight from the oven. You can prep them ahead by assembling and refrigerating before baking. Garnish with fresh rosemary or toasted pecans for a festive touch.