|

Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry Recipe

BySarah
Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 10 reviews

If you’re looking for a foolproof, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both elegant and ridiculously easy, you’ve got to try this Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry Recipe. Trust me, these little bite-sized wonders bring together creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and flaky puff pastry into a perfect harmony that will have your friends asking for the recipe. Whether it’s holiday parties or casual get-togethers, these cranberry brie bites always shine.

💛

Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Flavor Balance: The creamy brie pairs beautifully with the tart cranberry sauce and crunchy pecans.
  • Simple Yet Elegant: Using store-bought puff pastry means minimal effort for maximum wow factor.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these in advance or freeze them for stress-free entertaining.
  • Bite-Sized Goodness: Perfectly portioned for parties—no utensils needed!
Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry, cranberry brie appetizer, holiday puff pastry bites, easy crowd-pleasing appetizers, festive party snacks - The image shows mini tartlets baked in a dark metal muffin tray, each tartlet having three main layers. The bottom layer is a golden-brown, flaky pastry shaped into small cups with slightly crispy edges. The middle layer is a glossy, dark red jam or fruit preserve that peeks out from beneath the top. The top layer is a melted, creamy pale yellow cheese, topped with small brown nut pieces and a fresh green rosemary sprig for garnish. The background is a white marbled texture, and some salt granules are scattered around the tray. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients combine familiar flavors that feel festive yet approachable. You don’t need any fancy staples, but picking quality components really shines through in the final bites.

Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry, cranberry brie appetizer, holiday puff pastry bites, easy crowd-pleasing appetizers, festive party snacks - Flat lay of a round wheel of creamy white Brie cheese with a smooth, slightly glossy surface, deep red homemade cranberry sauce glistening with whole cranberries, light golden puff pastry sheets with delicate flaky layers, a small pile of chopped pecans showing rich brown hues and textured ridges, fresh bright green rosemary sprigs with needle-like leaves, all arranged naturally with some crumbs and bits scattered around, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7
  • Brie cheese: Choose a good-quality, creamy brie for that melt-in-your-mouth texture—removing the rind helps avoid any bitter bites.
  • Frozen puff pastry sheet: Thaw it properly in the fridge for easy handling and to keep those flaky layers perfectly tender and golden.
  • Cranberry sauce: I swear by homemade, but good store-bought works fine too—just make sure it’s not too runny.
  • Chopped pecans: These add a lovely crunch and nutty depth that contrasts with the soft cheese and pastry.
  • Rosemary sprigs: For garnish, they bring a fresh, herbaceous note and elevate the look instantly.
  • Sea salt: Just a sprinkle enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
  • Flour (for dusting): Keeps your work surface smooth and prevents the dough from sticking while you roll it out.
📝
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

Honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about this Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry Recipe—you can customize it to your mood or what’s in your pantry. I love playing with different add-ins and spices to keep it fresh every time I make it.

  • Variation: I once swapped pecans for toasted walnuts and added a drizzle of honey on top before baking—delicious! It’s such an easy way to switch up textures and sweetness.
  • Dietary tweaks: If you want to cut back on fat, try a lighter brie or a creamy goat cheese instead. For nuttier flavor without nuts, toasted pumpkin seeds work well.
  • Seasonal switch: Around Christmas, I toss in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cranberry sauce for a cozy twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry Recipe

Step 1: Chill and prep the brie for easy cutting

Start by removing the rind from the brie—this makes each bite smoother and tamer in flavor. Then pop it into the freezer on a parchment-lined plate for about 20 minutes. This helps the cheese firm up so you can cut it neatly into little blocks without it turning into a melty mess.

Step 2: Get your puff pastry ready

While the brie chills, preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan generously—this bit is crucial to keep those bites from sticking. On a lightly floured surface, roll the thawed puff pastry into a 10×14-inch rectangle, then cut it lengthwise into 4 strips and crosswise into 6 squares to make 24 pieces.

Place each square gently into a muffin cup and prick the bottom with a fork—this keeps the pastry from puffing up too much and ensures your cranberry brie bites keep their shape nicely.

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Brie: Cut off and discard the rind from the Brie cheese. Place the cheese on a parchment-lined plate in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to cut into pieces.
  2. Preheat and Grease: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
  3. Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll the thawed puff pastry sheet into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Cut it lengthwise into 4 equal strips and then crosswise into 6 equal strips to make 24 squares. Gently press each square into a muffin cup and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent puffing.
  4. Cut Brie: Remove the chilled Brie from the freezer and cut it into 24 pieces, approximately ¾ inch each, to fit inside the pastry squares.
  5. Assemble Bites: Spoon 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce into each muffin cup, press in a piece of Brie, then top with 1 teaspoon of finely chopped pecans. Optionally, sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt over each bite.
  6. Bake: Bake the assembled bites in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the puff pastry turns golden brown and crisp.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bites to cool slightly in the pan, then carefully remove them. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.

Notes

  • Be generous when greasing the muffin tin to prevent the Brie bites from sticking, and remove them while still warm for easier release.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze, cool the Brie bites completely, then freeze on a parchment-lined tray for one hour until firm before transferring to an airtight container. Reheat frozen bites at 350℉ for 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bite
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg

You Might Also Like These Recipes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star