Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Quick & Flavorful Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe for Party Joy

Cranberry brie bites craft ordinary appetizers into miniature culinary masterpieces that tantalize taste buds and spark conversation.

Small yet sophisticated, these delightful morsels blend sweet and savory flavors in a perfectly balanced combination.

Creamy brie cheese melts luxuriously against crisp pastry, creating a textural experience that delights the palate.

Rich, golden-brown edges hint at the culinary magic waiting inside each delicate bite.

Holiday gatherings and casual get-togethers become instantly elegant with these irresistible little treats that disappear faster than you can plate them.

Guests will marvel at the complex flavor profile achieved through such simple ingredients.

Festive and fun, these cranberry brie bites elevate your entertaining game with minimal effort.

Cranberry Brie Bites Pack Festive Flavor into Every Bite

  • Burst with Festive Flavor: These cranberry brie bites pack a delightful holiday punch with the perfect balance of creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce in every single bite.
  • Effortlessly Elegant Appetizer: Super quick to prepare with crescent roll dough, these bites transform simple ingredients into a sophisticated party snack that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Finger Food: Guests can grab and enjoy these portable treats without utensils, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or casual game night celebrations where mingling matters most.
  • Foolproof Cooking Method: Even novice cooks can nail this recipe with minimal steps, ensuring golden-brown, puffy pastry bites that look professionally prepared every single time.

What Goes Into Cranberry Brie Bites for the Holidays

Main Ingredients:

Pastry Base:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: Buttery, flaky foundation for these elegant appetizers, with convenient pre-made option for quick preparation.
Cheese:
  • Brie Cheese: Creamy, soft French cheese with rich buttery flavor that melts beautifully and provides smooth texture.
Fruit Topping:
  • Cranberry Sauce: Sweet-tart condiment that adds festive color and bright flavor contrast to the rich cheese and pastry.

How to Assemble and Bake Cranberry Brie Bites

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grab a mini muffin pan. Lightly spray pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Craft the Dough Foundation

On a flour-dusted surface, unroll crescent roll dough into a single rectangular sheet. Gently press seams together to create a smooth surface. Aim for a 12×8 inch flat canvas.

Step 3: Create Bite-Sized Squares

Slice the dough into a precise 6×4 grid, creating 24 equal squares. This ensures uniform, adorable appetizers.

Step 4: Build Flavor Pockets

For each square:
  • Place a small brie cube in the center
  • Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce

Step 5: Fold and Seal

Bring opposite corners of each square toward the center. Pinch edges firmly to create little pouches, trapping the delicious filling inside.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer bites to prepared baking sheet. Slide into preheated oven and bake 11-13 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and puff up.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven. If any cheese has escaped, gently nudge it back into the bites. Serve warm and watch guests delight in these irresistible treats.

Tips for Golden Pastry and Melty Brie in Bites

  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Select a creamy brie cheese and a tangy, high-quality cranberry sauce for maximum flavor complexity.
  • Perfect Dough Handling: Roll crescent dough gently to maintain its delicate texture and prevent tearing during shaping.
  • Precise Sealing Technique: Pinch dough corners tightly to prevent cheese and cranberry sauce from leaking during baking.
  • Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper or lightly spray the baking surface to ensure easy removal and clean presentation.
  • Watch Baking Time: Monitor closely during the last few minutes to achieve golden-brown edges without overcooking, ensuring a crispy yet tender bite.

Storage and Reheating for Cranberry Brie Bites

  • Refrigerate: Store cooled Cranberry Brie Bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat Oven: Warm bites at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and pastry crisps back to original texture.
  • Microwave Option: Briefly heat for 15-20 seconds on medium power, watching carefully to prevent soggy texture.

Sips and Snacks That Go with Cranberry Brie Bites

  • Craft Sparkling Wine Pairing: Opt for a crisp, light champagne or prosecco that complements the rich brie and cuts through the sweetness of cranberry sauce. The bubbles will cleanse your palate between bites, creating a delightful flavor contrast.
  • Enhance with Herbal Cocktail: Mix a rosemary gin cocktail that echoes the savory elements of the brie while adding a refreshing botanical note. The herbal undertones will beautifully balance the fruity cranberry and creamy cheese.
  • Serve with Crisp White Wine: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to match the appetizer's delicate texture. These wines offer a bright, acidic profile that perfectly partners with the creamy brie and tangy cranberry.
  • Add Nutty Side Companion: Prepare a small plate of toasted almonds or walnuts to serve alongside the bites. The crunchy, earthy nuts will provide a textural contrast and enhance the overall flavor complexity of the appetizer.

Cranberry Brie Bite Variations Worth Making

  • Goat Cheese Upgrade: Swap brie for creamy goat cheese and use fig jam instead of cranberry sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer.
  • Savory Herb Transformation: Mix finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the dough before cutting, adding an aromatic herbal essence to the bites.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Version: Incorporate finely diced jalapeños with pepper jack cheese for a zesty, heat-packed appetizer that packs a punch.
  • Sweet Fruit Fusion: Replace cranberry sauce with raspberry preserves or apple butter, creating a delightful sweet and tangy flavor profile that complements the melted cheese.
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Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe


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4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cranberry brie bites offer a perfect blend of sweet and savory holiday elegance. Crisp puff pastry cradles creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce, creating irresistible appetizers that will delight guests at any festive gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) crescent roll dough
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) brie cheese
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) cranberry sauce

Seasonings and Additional Flavors:

  • Garnish or optional ingredients (if any from original recipe)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking surface with parchment paper or a silicone mat, ensuring easy release of the delicate pastry bites.
  2. Transform the crescent roll dough into a smooth, seamless canvas by rolling it out on a lightly floured surface, carefully pressing together any visible divisions to create a uniform sheet.
  3. Craft a precise grid by slicing the dough into 24 symmetrical squares, creating a foundation for these elegant appetizers.
  4. Construct each bite by nestling a petite cube of creamy brie at the center of each dough square, then crown it with a dollop of vibrant cranberry sauce.
  5. Carefully gather the dough’s opposite corners, gently pinching and folding them toward the center to create delicate parcels that encapsulate the luscious filling.
  6. Arrange the assembled bites on the prepared baking surface, allowing sufficient space between each morsel for even browning and expansion.
  7. Slide the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, watching for a golden, puffy transformation that signals perfect doneness.
  8. Upon removal, quickly assess any escaped cheese and gently nudge it back into the bites while still warm, preserving the integrity of these delectable morsels.
  9. Allow the cranberry brie bites to cool slightly before serving, letting the molten cheese and tangy cranberry sauce settle into a harmonious blend of flavors.

Notes

  • Perfectly portioned crescent roll dough transforms simple ingredients into elegant nibbles that will impress guests at any gathering.
  • Quick and easy preparation means you can whip up these delectable morsels in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute entertaining or spontaneous snacking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 132
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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