If the holidays had a flavor, it would taste exactly like Baked Cranberry Brie Bites — buttery, flaky puff pastry filled with creamy Brie cheese and tangy cranberry sauce. These little two-bite appetizers are festive, elegant, and ridiculously easy to make.
Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas dinner, or a New Year’s gathering, these bite-sized treats are guaranteed to disappear fast. They’re sweet, savory, creamy, and crisp — everything you want in a holiday appetizer.
If you’ve ever loved the flavor combo in my Cranberry Orange Chicken, then this is your new go-to holiday party bite.
Why You’ll Love Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
1. Perfect for holiday entertaining
These elegant little bites look like something from a catering tray but take just minutes to make.
2. Simple ingredients
You only need puff pastry, Brie, and cranberry sauce — that’s it!
3. Rich, creamy flavor
The combination of buttery pastry, melty cheese, and tart cranberry is absolute perfection.
4. Customizable and versatile
Add nuts, herbs, or honey to make them your own.
5. Make-ahead friendly
You can assemble them ahead and bake right before serving for warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 6 oz Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the puff pastry
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 2-inch squares — you should get about 24 pieces.
Press each square gently into the muffin cups to form a little pastry shell.
Step 2: Add the Brie
Cut the Brie into small, bite-sized cubes. Remove the rind if you prefer (it’s edible, but some people like it without).
Place one cube of Brie into each pastry shell.
Step 3: Add cranberry sauce
Top each piece of cheese with about ½ teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Don’t overfill — it bubbles up beautifully when baking.
Step 4: Add toppings
Sprinkle chopped nuts on top if you’re using them, and drizzle lightly with honey for sweetness.
Step 5: Brush with egg wash
Brush the edges of the puff pastry lightly with beaten egg for a beautiful golden shine.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Garnish and serve
Let cool slightly, then garnish with a small sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme. Serve warm.
How to Serve Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect start to any festive meal. Serve them warm straight from the oven for the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Here are some easy pairing ideas:
- Holiday Appetizer Board: Arrange these bites with nuts, grapes, and prosciutto for a beautiful starter.
- Thanksgiving Starter: Offer them as guests arrive to nibble on while the turkey finishes roasting.
- Christmas Party Snack: Pair with sparkling cider or wine for an elegant touch.
- New Year’s Eve: Add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of sea salt for an elevated finish.
If you’re looking for another showstopping holiday dish, don’t miss my Christmas Stuffed Beef Tenderloin — it pairs beautifully with these appetizers on any festive menu.
How to Store Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These little bites can be made ahead, stored, and reheated without losing their texture.
To refrigerate:
Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To freeze (before baking):
Assemble the bites in your muffin tin, then freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 15–17 minutes.
To reheat (after baking):
Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is gooey again.
Pro tip: Reheat uncovered to keep the puff pastry crisp.
For another appetizer that reheats beautifully, try my Best Beef Wellington — flaky pastry and rich flavor, just like these bites, but in showstopper dinner form.
Tips to Make Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
- Keep pastry cold:
Cold puff pastry puffs better. Work quickly or chill between steps. - Use the right Brie:
A creamy, mild Brie melts best. - Homemade cranberry sauce:
Fresh cranberry sauce adds brightness, but store-bought works just fine. - Don’t overfill:
Brie expands as it melts, so leave a little space for bubbling. - Add crunch:
Toasted nuts or seeds give a beautiful texture contrast. - Drizzle for flair:
Finish with a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze for a sweet-savory finish. - Make it mini:
Use phyllo shells for bite-sized finger food without any cutting.
Variations of Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
- Pecan & Maple: Add chopped pecans and drizzle with maple syrup before baking.
- Apple & Brie: Replace cranberry sauce with a small spoon of apple butter.
- Savory Herb Version: Add caramelized onions and thyme instead of cranberry.
- Cranberry Orange: Stir orange zest into your cranberry sauce for a citrus twist.
- Phyllo Cup Brie Bites: Use mini phyllo shells instead of puff pastry for crisp texture.
- Fig & Walnut: Substitute cranberry sauce with fig jam and top with chopped walnuts.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them up to a day ahead and refrigerate until baking time.
2. Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes, it works great — they’ll just be softer and less flaky.
3. What type of cranberry sauce should I use?
Either homemade or canned whole-berry sauce works beautifully.
4. Can I make them without nuts?
Absolutely. They’re delicious with just Brie and cranberry sauce.
5. How long can I keep them warm for guests?
Keep them in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are everything a holiday appetizer should be — quick, impressive, and bursting with festive flavor. Each bite combines buttery pastry, melty Brie, and tangy cranberry in a harmony that’s impossible to resist.
Once you make these, they’ll become a yearly tradition — the kind of dish guests ask for by name.
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.
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Cranberry Brie Bites – Easy Holiday Puff Pastry Appetize
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Golden, buttery puff pastry filled with creamy Brie cheese and tangy cranberry sauce. An easy, elegant appetizer perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 6 oz Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten
- Fresh rosemary or thyme, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Cut puff pastry into 2-inch squares and press into muffin cups.
3. Add a cube of Brie to each cup and top with cranberry sauce.
4. Sprinkle nuts and drizzle honey if using.
5. Brush edges with egg wash.
6. Bake 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden.
7. Cool slightly, garnish with herbs, and serve warm.
Notes
Use homemade or canned cranberry sauce.
Freeze before baking for up to 3 months.
Add orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg