Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Flaky, golden puff pastry filled with creamy brie and tart cranberry sauce, these easy bites are the ultimate holiday appetizer. They’re quick to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 box (16-17 oz) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed but still cold
- 8 oz brie cheese, cut into 24 cubes (rind on or off)
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought, whole berry preferred)
- 2–3 tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)
- A few sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup, for drizzling (optional)
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp water, beaten (for egg wash; or use milk or skip for egg-free)
- Flour, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with butter or nonstick spray.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry and gently roll it into a 10×10 inch square. Repeat with the second sheet.
- Cut each pastry sheet into 12 squares (about 2.5 inches each), for a total of 24 squares.
- Press each pastry square into a mini muffin cup, letting the corners stick up.
- Place a cube of brie into the center of each pastry cup.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce over each piece of brie.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts and a little fresh thyme or rosemary, if using.
- Brush exposed pastry edges lightly with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until pastry is puffed and golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then gently loosen with a butter knife.
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if desired, garnish with extra herbs, and transfer to a serving platter.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold for best results. Don’t overfill with cheese or cranberry sauce to avoid messy bites. Use parchment squares for easy removal if desired. Assemble up to 2 hours ahead and bake just before serving. For gluten-free, use gluten-free puff pastry. For nut-free, omit nuts. Try with different jams or cheeses for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cranberry brie bites, puff pastry appetizer, holiday appetizer, easy party food, Thanksgiving appetizer, Christmas appetizer, brie puff pastry, cranberry brie, finger food, festive appetizer