If you’re on the hunt for an appetizer that’s effortlessly elegant and bursting with flavor, you’re going to want to bookmark this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe. I absolutely love how these little bites come together—flaky pastry, creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and a touch of toasted pecans and rosemary that make it all sing. Whether it’s a holiday party, a casual get-together, or just a treat you want to impress with, this recipe has your back.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: You can whip these up in under 30 minutes—perfect for last-minute entertaining.
- Beautiful Flavor Contrast: The creamy brie pairs amazingly with sweet cranberry and crunchy pecans.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a fancy dinner or a casual weekend hangout, these bites fit right in.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these, and I’m confident your guests will, too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is in the quality and simplicity of the ingredients. Each item brings its own unique splash of flavor and texture, and you’ll want to pick fresh, good-quality ingredients to make these shine.
- Crescent dough: Using pre-made crescent dough saves tons of time, and it bakes up wonderfully flaky—just watch those seams when rolling it out.
- Cooking spray: Essential for greasing the muffin tin so your bites pop out easily without sticking.
- All-purpose flour: A light dusting on your surface keeps the dough from sticking when rolling and cutting.
- Brie cheese: Get a good-quality wheel of brie; its creamy texture is key here, and don’t skip cutting off the rind if you prefer a milder bite.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce: This brings that lovely balance of sweet and tart—I love using homemade, but store-bought is perfectly fine, too.
- Roasted unsalted pecans: Toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch and a mild nutty flavor that contrasts nicely with the softness of the brie.
- Fresh rosemary: Adding one small piece per bite gives a delightful herbal note and looks pretty to boot.
Variations
I love tweaking this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have in the fridge. The great thing is, it’s flexible—you can easily personalize it to match your taste or dietary needs, which always makes the process more fun.
- Swap the nuts: Sometimes I swap roasted pecans for walnuts or almonds depending on what I have; it changes the texture slightly and keeps things interesting.
- Fruit variations: Instead of cranberry sauce, try fig jam or apricot preserves for a different sweet edge—I’ve done this for holiday brunches and it’s always a hit.
- Herb changes: Rosemary is classic, but thyme or sage can also add a lovely, earthy twist—try them to see which you like best!
- Make it vegan: Use a vegan cream cheese alternative in place of brie and check the crescent dough is dairy-free to make this plant-based friendly.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Mini Muffin Tin and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. I always grease my 24-cup mini muffin tin generously with cooking spray to make sure the bites don’t stick—this is a little step that really pays off when you’re ready to serve! Next, on a lightly floured surface, roll out your crescent dough and be mindful to pinch the seams together so it doesn’t puff unevenly or split apart during baking. Cut the dough into 24 even squares, then gently press each square into one of the muffin cups, creating little cups for all the delicious fillings to come.
Step 2: Fill Them Up with Brie, Cranberry, Pecans, and Rosemary
This step is where things get exciting. I cut the brie into small chunks that fit nicely inside each dough cup—not too big or they can spill over when baking. Place one piece of brie into each dough cup. Then spoon about a teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce over the brie. Don’t go too heavy here, or the dough might get soggy. Sprinkle chopped roasted pecans on top for that irresistible crunch, and finally, tuck a small 1-inch sprig of fresh rosemary on each one. The rosemary’s aroma really amps up the flavor and makes your kitchen smell amazing.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop the muffin tin onto the middle rack of your preheated oven, and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye starting around the 12-minute mark—every oven bakes a little differently, and you want the perfect balance of flaky crust and melty cheese without burning the edges. Once done, remove from oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving so you don’t burn your fingers or tongue—although it’s seriously tempting to dig in right away!
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Seam Sealing: Pinching the dough seams together tightly is key to prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking—I learned this the hard way the first time I made these!
- Fresh Over Frozen: If you can, use fresh rosemary sprigs rather than dried for the best aroma and flavor punch.
- Room Temperature Brie: Let the brie sit out for about 20 minutes before cutting—it melts more evenly and tastes creamier.
- Don’t Overfill: Overloading the cranberry sauce or brie can make the bites soggy and messy—go easy on the portions for that perfect bite every time.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a little extra rosemary sprig or a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper on top before serving—it’s a simple touch that adds visual appeal and layers of aroma. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt makes these bites even more irresistible if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
These bites play well with simple sides like mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette or a fresh fruit platter. During colder months, I like pairing them with a warm soup like butternut squash or roasted tomato for a comforting combo that guests rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these cranberry brie bites on slate trays with sprigs of pine or cranberries scattered around for a festive look. You could also serve them alongside small bowls of extra cranberry sauce and pecans so guests can customize. If you want to elevate the appetizer experience, try stacking the bites on tiered stands or serving with a selection of flavored honey or jams on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store any leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about 2-3 days, and I find they actually taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle. Just make sure to cool them completely before storing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
Freezing these isn’t something I do often because they’re so quick to make fresh, but if you want to prep ahead, you can freeze the unbaked bites on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want to bake, just pop them straight into the oven—add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend warming the bites in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. This keeps the pastry crisp and melts the brie back to creamy perfection. Microwaving can make the crust soggy, so try to avoid that if you can!
FAQs
-
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough for the Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Puff pastry works great too and offers an extra flaky texture. Just make sure to thaw it properly before rolling and follow similar steps for cutting and filling. The flavor combo stays just as delicious.
-
Is it necessary to use fresh rosemary?
Fresh rosemary adds a bright, herbal note that’s hard to replace, but if you don’t have fresh sprigs, dried rosemary can work in a pinch—just use a smaller amount because dried herbs are more concentrated.
-
Can I make Cranberry Brie Bites ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the bites and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just bring them to room temperature before putting them in the oven to ensure even cooking.
-
How do I prevent the dough from getting soggy?
The key is not to overload the bites with cranberry sauce or cheese. Using a light hand with fillings and ensuring the dough is properly sealed helps keep the crust flaky and crisp.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become one of my all-time favorite go-to appetizers because it’s just so darn reliable and tastes like you spent way more time and effort than you actually did. Every time I bring these to a party, they disappear almost instantly, and I love how easily they fit into any celebration. If you want to impress your guests without breaking a sweat, give this recipe a try—you’ll be so glad you did.
Print
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 24 bites
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully festive and easy-to-make Cranberry Brie Bites perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. These bite-sized appetizers combine flaky crescent dough, creamy brie cheese, tangy whole berry cranberry sauce, crunchy roasted pecans, and fresh rosemary for a flavorful and elegant treat that’s sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 (8-oz.) tube crescent dough
- Cooking spray
- All-purpose flour, for surface
Filling
- 1 (8-oz.) wheel of brie
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted pecans
- 6 sprigs fresh rosemary, cut into 1″ pieces
Instructions
- Prepare Muffin Tin and Dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini 24-cup muffin tin using cooking spray to prevent sticking. On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent dough and pinch the seams together to form one sheet. Cut the dough into 24 equal squares and press each square into the prepared muffin cups forming small cups for filling.
- Add Fillings: Cut the brie wheel into small pieces suitable to fit inside the dough cups. Place a piece of brie into each dough cup. Top each with about a spoonful of whole berry cranberry sauce, a sprinkle of chopped roasted unsalted pecans, and finish with one piece of fresh rosemary to add aroma and garnish.
- Bake the Bites: Place the filled muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake until the crescent dough is golden brown and the brie has melted, approximately 15 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before carefully removing the bites from the tin to serve.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors for cutting the crescent dough squares.
- For easier cleanup, line the muffin tin with mini cupcake liners before spraying.
- Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant finish, but you can omit it if preferred or substitute with thyme.
- These bites are best served warm to experience the melty cheese and fresh flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
