If you need a zero-stress holiday appetizer that looks like you spent hours on it (but secretly takes about eight minutes), these cranberry brie bites are your new signature dish. I usually make them alongside my easy baked brie wheel recipe. I remove the center of my brie wheel and fill it with cranberry sauce for my baked brie recipe, and then, I use that center to make these puff pastry bites so I get two recipes in one!
They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendsgiving, New Year’s Eve, office potlucks! If you want to make them extra fancy, top them off with my 5-minute candied pecans! And if you’re in the mood for more simple appetizers, make sure to check out my cheesy garlic bread, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and easy air fryer green beans!
Table of contents
Key ingredients and why they matter
- Puff pastry: Creates a flaky, buttery shell for your cranberry brie bites that turns into perfect, crisp little cups when baked. Store-bought puff pastry is reliable and works beautifully.
- Brie cheese: Melts into a soft, creamy center. Brie’s mild, buttery flavor pairs perfectly with tart cranberry sauce. Use a wedge or a wheel—either works.
- Cranberry sauce: Provides brightness and sweetness. You can use leftover homemade cranberry sauce, canned whole-berry sauce, or even cranberry jelly in a pinch.
- Honey glaze: A drizzle of honey (or warm maple syrup) adds shine, sweetness, and a gorgeous glossy finish to your cranberry brie bites that makes them look extra polished for the holidays.
The full written recipe with measurements is below on the recipe card.
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Cut puff pastry into small squares and press into each muffin cup.
- Add a cube of brie into each pastry cup.
- Top with cranberry sauce.
- Bake your cranberry brie bites until they’re golden, puffy, and melty. Drizzle with honey before serving.
My Expert Tips
Don’t overload the cups: A tiny bit of cranberry sauce goes a long way—too much will overflow.
Use a mini muffin tin, not a regular one: Regular tins spread the pastry too thin and lose the “bite-sized” effect.
Grease the pan well: Cranberry sauce gets sticky after baking.
Let them cool slightly: The brie sets just enough so the bites hold their shape while still being gooey.
Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry brie bites pair beautifully with other small bites if you’re putting together a grazing-style spread. Think toasty crostini, roasted nuts, or fresh fruit. They’re especially good alongside cozy holiday appetizers like my honey roasted carrots or as part of a larger Thanksgiving or Christmas menu with cajun butter corn ribs and extra cheesy mac and cheese to round things out.
And if you’re hosting a dessert spread too, anything with vanilla, cinnamon, or warm spices complements the cranberry-brie combo—think along the lines of tiramisu cookies or a cozy salted caramel hot chocolate.
Please remember to leave a review if you make this recipe! The feedback helps me to become a better cook and develop amazing recipes for you.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Equipment
- 1 small muffin tray
Ingredients
- 2/3 sheet frozen puff pastry, cut into 6 squares
- 2 ounces brie
- 1/2 c cranberry sauce
- 1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the tin: Lightly grease a mini muffin tin to ensure the pastry cups release easily and stay intact.
- Cut the pastry: Slice the puff pastry into squares. I only use 2/3 of the sheet to create 6 square pieces. Gently press each square into the muffin wells, making sure the corners stick up for that cute “petal” look.
- Add the brie: Place a small chunk of brie into the center of each pastry cup. Leave the rind on if you like—it melts beautifully and adds structure.
- Spoon on cranberry sauce: Add about 1.5 tablespoons of cranberry sauce on top of each piece of brie, keeping it centered so it doesn’t overflow.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden, crispy, and fully puffed and the brie is melty.
- Finish with honey glaze: Drizzle warm honey over the hot cranberry brie bites right out of the oven for a glossy finish and extra sweetness.
- Cool and serve: Let the bites rest for a few minutes so the cheese sets slightly before removing them from the tin and serving warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
FAQ
You don’t have to. The rind melts beautifully and adds structure so the bites don’t leak.
Yes—assemble them ahead, refrigerate, and bake right before serving. They’re best warm and fresh.
Use fig jam, raspberry jam, apricot preserves, or pepper jelly.
Yes! Crescent dough works, but puff pastry gives a much flakier, bakery-style bite. If you do choose to use a crescent roll, just bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden and the brie is melted.
Flavor Variations for cranberry brie bites
You can make these brie bites in so many different ways; they’re very customizable. These are some of my favorite flavor combinations:
- Honey pistachio: warm honey + chopped pistachios for a glossy, sweet, crunchy finish.
- Orange cranberry: add fresh orange zest on top of the cranberry sauce before baking.
- Nutty cranberry: sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for extra crunch.
- Pepper jelly brie bites: swap the cranberry sauce for pepper jelly for a spicy-sweet version.
- Fig + brie: use fig jam instead of cranberry sauce for a richer, sweeter bite.
- Extra Cheesy: add gruyère, sharp white cheddar, or camembert to deepen the flavor profile.
