Baked Cranberry Brie Bites always get scooped up first at any holiday party (I swear, it’s almost a running joke now). You know the story: you’re invited to a last-minute get-together. You want to bring something that people will devour but not something that eats up your afternoon. Sometimes, I just want something warm, gooey, and a tad fancy but easy enough that my kids don’t destroy the kitchen while I’m focused. This recipe is my ticket. Five ingredients, minimal mess, a plate of mini bites gone in minutes.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
I promise, no need for chef training here. You just need a pack of store-bought crescent dough (puff pastry works, but crescents bake up golden and crisp), a little wheel of brie, some cranberry sauce, chopped pecans, and that’s about it. Oh and a muffin tin. I forgot that once and yikes.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F. Unroll the dough and cut it into little squares. Pop each square into your greased muffin tin slots, pressing them gently to form a tiny cup. Slice your brie into small chunks that fit in each cup (removing the rind is optional; I leave it on half the time, no one notices).
Then, plop a bit of brie in each dough cup, drop on a small spoon of cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with pecans. Bake for about 12-15 minutes till the pastry looks puffy and golden. Boom. Warm cheesy bites with a pop of sweet-tart cranberry.
“I’ve made these for three office parties and every single time someone asks for the recipe. My family has started expecting them at Thanksgiving too.” — Martha, trusty neighbor/friend/hardcore snack fan
Recipe Tips
Here’s the scoop totally honest, I messed up the first batch years ago when I crowded the tins and everything fused together (oops). Learned my lesson.
Let the crescent dough get to room temp. It’s way easier to work with, trust me.
Cut the brie into cubes ahead of time and keep them in the fridge till you’re ready to assemble. Less sticky, less panic.
You can use homemade cranberry sauce for extra flavor. Jellied or whole, both work, but whole berry’s prettier.
Don’t be stingy on cranberry. People love that sweet-tangy vibe just don’t overflow the cups, or you get a jammy puddle mess.
Last tip, let the bites cool about five minutes before pulling them out. Totally makes a difference in keeping their cute shape.
Variations
Honestly, I play mix-and-match with Baked Cranberry Brie Bites all the time it keeps things interesting, especially when you’re making these for the third celebration of the week.
Sometimes I swap the pecans for walnuts or skip nuts altogether (allergies, you get me). I’ve drizzled a little honey over the tops for more sweetness, and it’s glorious if you like that contrast.
If you hate cranberry or just run out, raspberry jam or fig jam make these taste like five-star restaurant appetizers. Even a dollop of pepper jelly works, especially if you love a spicy kick.
And every holiday season, I throw in a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or a dusting of orange zest on top gives them a true cozy winter touch.
Got leftover stuffing? Toss a pinch under the brie for a bonus bite.
For more twists on classic holiday ideas, you might want to check out the best easy party appetizers from my recipe hub, or even see what else you can make fast with puff pastry in these holiday snack recipes.
Storage
Ah, the leftovers question. Except, let’s be real there’s rarely much left. If you do manage to squirrel some away, pop them into an airtight container and stash in the fridge. They’ll stay good for about two days. To reheat, throw them in a warm oven for 5ish minutes. Microwave works but you lose that crispy bite. Learned that the hard way.
If you want to prep ahead, assemble everything in the muffin tin, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Super handy if you’re juggling a crowded kitchen.
Freeze? I’ve tried it, but honestly…the texture’s never quite as swoon-worthy after thawing. Not a hill I’ll die on, but worth sharing. For more tips on keeping party bites fresh, browse my super-handy holiday prep guide.
Oh, and if you’re plating these up for game day or brunch, you can get creative and toss on some extra toppings. My pals always ask how I make entertaining look easy truth is, simple food like this Baked Cranberry Brie Bites recipe does half the work for me!
- Serve warm with a pitcher of festive drinks for an easy appetizer.
- Add chopped rosemary for color and (yum) extra flavor.
- Bring these to potlucks and watch them vanish in, like, two minutes.
- Pair with an easy winter salad for a full spread.
Hop to my simple holiday appetizers roundup for other crowd-pleasers that take no time at all.
Why You’ll Love This Mini Baked Brie Recipe!
Friends, these Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are basically my holiday party lifesaver. Bite-sized means fewer awkward moments juggling plates. The sweet and savory combo is always a win seriously, who isn’t a sucker for creamy cheese and tart cranberry? No utensils required, so less cleanup (which is always awesome).
They look way fancier than they are, and you can dress them up or down for any occasion. Last week, I baked off a batch for my book club and got more compliments on these than anything I’ve tried from Pinterest. That never happens.
Best of all? Zero stress. You can actually enjoy your own party without worrying about refilling trays every hour. If you’re in charge of a finger food table, just know these Baked Cranberry Brie Bites won’t make it there for long trust me.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Can I make Baked Cranberry Brie Bites ahead of time?
Totally! Assemble them in the muffin pans the night before and bake right before serving.
What if I don’t have a mini muffin tin?
You can use a regular muffin tin, but the bites will be bigger, so maybe bake a minute longer and cut bigger dough and brie cubes.
Can I use different jam instead of cranberry?
For sure. Raspberry, fig, or pepper jelly all work tasty wonders.
Is it okay to leave the brie rind on?
Yup, the rind is edible and softens up when baked. Doesn’t really matter, honestly.
Do these work for non-holidays too?
Oh, yes. Summer parties, book club, random weekday treat you name it.
Why You Should Try These for Your Next Gathering
Shortcuts that taste like they’re from a gourmet bakery? Sign me up every time. This five-ingredient wonder is pretty much my secret for stress-free celebrations. Your guests will rave (I mean it) and you’ll look like a kitchen hero. For more tricks and spins on this party classic, peek at these versions from Baked Cranberry Brie Bites – Kalefornia Kravings, Cranberry Brie Bites – The Country Cook, or the Best Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe on Delish. And if you’re hunting more ways to play with brie, you’ll love Brie Bites {Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer} from WellPlated.com. Promise you’re gonna love serving these you’ll want to bookmark the recipe and keep your muffin tin close this holiday season!
Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Unroll the crescent dough and cut it into small squares.
- Grease a muffin tin and pop each square into the slots, pressing gently to form tiny cups.
- Slice the brie into small chunks that fit into each dough cup.
- Put a piece of brie in each cup, add a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with pecans.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes until the pastry is puffy and golden.
- Let the bites cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
