Description
Cranberry Brie Bites are delightful mini appetizers featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy brie cheese and tangy cranberry sauce, topped with crunchy nuts and fragrant herbs. Perfect for holiday parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pastry
- 2 puff pastry sheets, defrosted if frozen
Filling
- 8 ounces brie, wheel or triangle
- 1/4 cup whole cranberry sauce
Toppings and Finishing
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped, walnuts, or pistachios
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, or thyme, optional
Instructions
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets overnight in the refrigerator or for about 40 minutes on the counter until pliable but still cool. Remove from packaging when ready to use, and if not using immediately, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Preheat the Oven: Position the oven rack to the middle and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Pastry: Roll each puff pastry sheet into a 12 by 9 inch rectangle. Cut the sheets into 3 inch squares to yield 12 pieces per sheet. Place each square into a mini muffin tin to form a little bowl shape, repeating until all 24 pieces are lined up.
- Prepare the Cheese: Trim the rind from the sides of the brie and slice it into 24 even pieces, about 1 inch long and ½ inch wide to fit perfectly into each pastry cup.
- Assemble: Place one piece of brie and 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce into the center of each puff pastry cup, carefully layering the flavors.
- Add Egg Wash: Brush the exposed edges and corners of the puff pastry squares with the whisked egg to give a beautiful golden sheen when baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the pastry edges have puffed up and turned golden brown. If any cheese oozes out and sticks to the pan, spoon it back into the pastry cups. Let the bites cool in the warm tin for 5 minutes before removing.
- To Serve: Garnish each bite with chopped pecans and a sprinkle of chopped rosemary or thyme. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Storing: Keep leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the bites in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container for up to 1 month for make-ahead convenience.
- Reheating: Reheat frozen or refrigerated bites in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) until the pastry is warm and crisp again.
- Using Crescent Dough: As an alternative, use an 8-ounce tube of refrigerated crescent dough sheet, rolling it into a rectangle and cutting it into 24 smaller pieces. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
