Name: Brie and Cranberry Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 sheet of Puff Pastry (from a 17.3-ounce/490g package), thawed; 1 (8-ounce/227g) wheel of Brie Cheese, chilled; ½ cup of Cranberry Sauce (whole berry); 1 large Egg (for egg wash); 1 tablespoon of Water (for egg wash); ¼ cup of Optional Nuts (chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted); Optional Garnish: Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, honey, or flaky sea salt

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If you are looking for a quick and delightful appetizer, the Brie and Cranberry Bites are just the recipe for you! These tasty little treats combine the rich creaminess of brie cheese with the sweet and tangy flavor of cranberry sauce, all wrapped up in golden, flaky puff pastry. They are perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or simply when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why make this recipe

This recipe isn’t just easy to make; it’s also deliciously satisfying. The combination of flavors and textures—melty brie with a sweet cranberry topping, all encased in crispy pastry—creates a mouthwatering treat that everyone will love. Plus, these bites are effortlessly elegant, making them a perfect addition to any event. Whether you’re entertaining friends or just want a special snack, these bites will surely be a hit!

How to prepare Brie and Cranberry Bites

Ingredients:

Puff Pastry: 1 sheet (from a 17.3-ounce/490g package), thawed but kept cold. An all-butter puff pastry will provide the richest flavor and flakiest layers, but any standard puff pastry works beautifully.
Brie Cheese: 1 (8-ounce/227g) wheel or wedge of brie, chilled. Keeping the brie cold is crucial for easy cutting and preventing it from melting too quickly before the pastry has a chance to cook.
Cranberry Sauce: ½ cup of whole berry cranberry sauce. You can use your favorite store-bought brand or a simple homemade version. Whole berry sauce provides a better texture than jellied sauce.
Egg: 1 large egg, for the egg wash. This is the secret to that beautiful, shiny, golden-brown finish.
Water: 1 tablespoon of water, to mix with the egg for the wash.
Optional Nuts: ¼ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted. Toasting the nuts beforehand brings out their flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
Optional Garnish: Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for finishing.

Steps:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Workstation
First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven for even baking. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using parchment paper is non-negotiable; it prevents the bites from sticking, catches any potential cheese leakage, and makes cleanup an absolute breeze.

Step 2: Prepare the Brie and Puff Pastry
Take your chilled wheel of brie and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the brie into 24 small, roughly ½-inch cubes. Remember to leave the rind on. Set the cubes aside, and if your kitchen is warm, pop them back in the fridge while you work with the pastry.

Next, gently unfold your thawed sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. The flour prevents it from sticking. If the pastry has any cracks along the folds, gently press them back together with your fingers. Using a rolling pin, lightly roll the pastry out just enough to smooth the seams and create an even rectangle, roughly 10×15 inches. Don’t roll it too thin, as you want it to have enough structure to puff up nicely.

Step 3: Cut the Pastry into Squares
Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter for clean lines, trim the edges of the pastry to create a neat rectangle. Then, cut the pastry into 24 equal squares. The easiest way to do this is to cut the sheet into 4 long strips lengthwise and then cut each strip into 6 squares crosswise.

Step 4: Assemble the Brie and Cranberry Bites
Now for the fun part! Gently press each pastry square into the cups of a 24-cup mini muffin tin. This helps the bites hold their shape and contain the fillings. If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, you can assemble them directly on your parchment-lined baking sheet, but they may spread a bit more. Place one cube of the chilled brie into the center of each pastry cup. Then, top each piece of brie with about ½ to 1 teaspoon of the whole berry cranberry sauce. Be careful not to overfill, as this is the primary cause of leakage during baking. If you are using nuts, sprinkle a few pieces of toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the cranberry sauce.

Step 5: Create the Egg Wash and Seal (Optional but Recommended)
In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg and the tablespoon of water until well combined. This is your egg wash. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry. This will not only give them a beautiful sheen but also helps in creating a golden-brown color. If you are assembling them on a baking sheet instead of a muffin tin, you can bring the corners of the pastry up and pinch them together over the filling to create a small parcel. The egg wash will help seal them.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking sheet (or muffin tin) into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they are done when the puff pastry is deeply golden brown, puffed up, and beautifully flaky. You should see the brie melted and bubbling, perhaps just starting to ooze slightly from the sides—this is perfectly normal and delicious!

Step 7: Cool and Garnish
Remove the bites from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin or on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes. This is a critical step! It allows the molten brie to set up slightly, making them easier to handle and preventing you from burning your mouth on liquid-hot cheese. Once slightly cooled, carefully transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish as desired. A light drizzle of honey enhances the sweetness, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt balances the richness, and a few fresh rosemary or thyme leaves add a lovely aromatic, festive touch.

How to serve Brie and Cranberry Bites

These bites make a delightful appetizer and can be served warm or at room temperature. Arrange them on a beautiful platter and consider placing a small bowl of extra cranberry sauce and a few sprigs of herbs nearby for decoration and additional flavor. They can easily be enjoyed with toothpicks or simply picked up by hand.

How to store Brie and Cranberry Bites

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore their crispiness.

Tips to make Brie and Cranberry Bites perfectly

Keep the ingredients cold: This will help the brie cut easily and the pastry stay flaky.
Don’t overfill: Be careful with the cranberry sauce; too much can make the bites leak while baking.
Use an egg wash: It creates a beautiful finish; don’t skip this step!

Variations

Add herbs: Mixing fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary directly into the cranberry sauce will add an extra layer of flavor.
Spice it up: Add a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cranberry sauce for a warm twist.
Make it savory: Swap out the cranberry sauce for caramelized onions or fig jam for a more savory flavor profile.

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese?
Yes! Other soft cheeses like goat cheese or camembert work well in this recipe.

Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prepare the bites and store them in the fridge before baking. Bake them just before serving for the best results.

Are these gluten-free?
No, the puff pastry is not gluten-free. However, you can look for gluten-free puff pastry alternatives at the store.