If you’re in need of a starter that’s both elegant and effortless, look no further than these Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites! Each bite bursts with sweet-tart cranberry, gooey melted brie, and flaky pastry—a trio made in appetizer heaven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser: Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites always vanish first at any gathering—kids and adults just can’t resist!
- Ridiculously Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you get appetizer magic in under 30 minutes.
- Fancy Without the Fuss: They look beautiful and gourmet, but no one will guess how simple they are to assemble.
- Balance of Flavors: Every bite is creamy, sweet, tangy, and flaky—every element is perfectly balanced!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how a short list of basic ingredients can create something so memorable. Each element plays an important role—bringing a pop of color, a buttery crunch, or an irresistible creamy melt to the finished dish.
- Puff Pastry: The star of the show! Frozen puff pastry bakes up golden and crisp, making the perfect vessel for our toppings. Make sure it’s thawed but still cold when working with it for best puffiness.
- Brie Cheese: Creamy, decadent brie melts beautifully, turning each bite into rich, cheesy bliss. Use a good-quality brie for best results and keep the rind—it adds extra flavor.
- Cranberry Sauce: Whether you use homemade or high-quality store-bought, cranberry sauce adds a tart, glossy finish and a lovely jewel-red color.
- Fresh Rosemary or Orange Zest: A sprinkle of rosemary or a little orange zest brightens each bite, lending a festive touch and aromatic lift.
- Cooking Spray: For prepping your mini muffin pan so nothing sticks and each pastry pops out easily.
Variations
One of the joys of these crowd-pleasing bites is their versatility. You can swap, tweak, or riff on them with whatever you have on hand or tailor flavors for your friends and family.
- Switch the Cheese: Try swapping in camembert, goat cheese, or even a soft blue for a fun twist on the brie.
- Different Fruit Toppings: Substitute cranberry sauce with a dab of fig or raspberry jam, or even a spoonful of caramelized onions for a savory version.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios on top before baking for a delightful crunch.
- Mediterranean Flair: Add a touch of fresh thyme and a slice of dried apricot with your brie for a sunny, herbal bite.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Step 1: Prepare Your Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C)—the perfect temperature for golden, puffy layers. Unroll the thawed puff pastry onto a clean surface (parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze), and grab a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Slice the pastry into 4 long strips first, then cut across into smaller squares, about 2.5 x 2.5 inches each. You should end up with around 20 squares, ready for filling!
Step 2: Shape and Fill
Give your mini muffin pan a good spritz of cooking spray. Gently tuck each puff pastry square into a muffin well, pressing softly to create little pastry cups. Cut your brie into 20 bite-sized cubes and pop one into the center of each pastry. Top with about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce—don’t worry about being too precise, a little mess adds to the charm!
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Slide your filled muffin tin into the hot oven and bake for 12–15 minutes. You’re looking for puffed, deeply golden pastry and melted, bubbling brie—absolutely irresistible! When baked through, let the bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes; this makes them easier to lift out and ensures the cheese stays warm and luscious.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Carefully remove the Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites from the pan while the brie is still beautifully melty. Arrange on a platter and finish with a scatter of fresh rosemary or a grate of orange zest for a festive touch. Serve warm for the ultimate crowd-pleaser moment!
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
- Cold Pastry, Hot Oven: Work with chillier puff pastry and make sure your oven is fully preheated—the sudden heat is what gives that dramatic rise and flakiness!
- Even Squares, Even Baking: Try to cut your pastry squares close to the same size so all your bites bake up evenly and look picture perfect.
- Cheese Cutter’s Secret: Brie can be sticky! A quick pop in the freezer helps you cube it cleanly without getting gooey fingers.
- Remove While Warm: Take the bites out of the muffin tin while they’re still warm and melty for the neatest presentation (and the yummiest cheese pulls, too).
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Garnishes
Finish your Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites with a few rosemary needles for herbal freshness or a grating of orange zest for sparkling citrusy aroma. Both add gorgeous color and a flavor pop, making each bite look as dazzling as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These bites are delightful alongside a crisp autumn salad—think arugula, walnuts, and pears—or served on a festive cheese board with sliced apples, toasted nuts, and extra crackers. They’re also a hit next to sparkling wine or a mulled cider for a cozy touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites on a marble platter with sprigs of rosemary woven between or stack them high on a tiered serving tray for dramatic flair. For a festive twist, serve each bite in a mini cupcake liner or nestle them into a bowl lined with fresh greens so guests can grab and go.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The bites will keep well for up to 3 days, and they’re surprisingly delicious even chilled—think cold pizza, but fancier.
Freezing
You can freeze fully baked Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites once cooled. Arrange them on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container for up to a month. Perfect for prepping holiday parties ahead!
Reheating
To reheat, pop the bites on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and the brie is melty again. Avoid the microwave to keep that signature flakiness.
FAQs
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Can I make Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the bites (up to the point of baking) and refrigerate them covered for up to 4 hours. When ready, pop them straight into the oven—just add 2-3 extra minutes to the bake time.
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What type of cranberry sauce should I use?
Both homemade and high-quality store-bought cranberry sauce work perfectly. Whole berry sauce gives you a rustic look and texture, while jellied sauce is smoother and slightly sweeter.
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Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
Phyllo dough will yield a crispier but much lighter shell, and needs to be brushed with melted butter between layers. It can work in a pinch, but puff pastry brings the classic flakiness and buttery flavor.
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Do I need to remove the rind from the brie?
Nope! The rind on brie is perfectly edible and adds extra creamy, earthy flavor. Just trim any dry or hard sides if needed, but leave the rest for maximum yum.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites appear at every gathering in my kitchen—they’re simple, stunning, and truly irresistible. I can’t wait for you to whip up a batch and watch them disappear. Happy baking!
Print
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 bites (10 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites are a delightful combination of sweet cranberry sauce, creamy brie cheese, and flaky puff pastry. Perfect for entertaining or as a holiday appetizer.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 (13.2 oz) package puff pastry, thawed
Brie Cheese:
- 4 oz (half of one wheel) of brie cheese, diced into bite-size cubes
Cranberry Sauce:
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
Garnish:
- fresh rosemary or orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare puff pastry: Unroll the puff pastry and cut it into squares.
- Prepare muffin pan: Grease a mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Assemble: Place a square of puff pastry into each muffin cup, add brie cheese, and top with cranberry sauce.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and garnish: Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh rosemary or orange zest.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 20 bites, serving around 10 people (2 bites per person).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
