Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe | Festive Holiday Appetizer
I recently made these delightful little appetizers — and let me tell you, they vanish fast! When I baked up these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe, I was amazed how a handful of simple ingredients turned into something festive and elegant. I served them to friends and they kept coming back for more.
The golden crescent dough, the creamy melted brie, and the tart whole-berry cranberry sauce all combine into one irresistible bite. If you’re looking for a holiday appetizer that feels special but is incredibly easy to pull together, you’re going to love this. You can also enjoy similar flavorful recipes like the hot honey ground chicken recipe for a spicy-sweet twist on your next menu.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need — I’ve added little explanations so you know why each ingredient works best.
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for dusting the dough and cutting board) — this keeps the dough from sticking and helps you work with the sheet smoothly.
- 8-ounce sheet of refrigerated crescent dough (or an equivalent using individual crescent rolls that you press together) — this forms the golden, buttery shell; using fresh dough gives that nice rise and flakiness.
- 8-ounce wheel of brie cheese — the creamy, melty center makes it rich and luxurious; using a whole wheel and cutting into pieces ensures even portions.
- 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (not the jellied kind) — the texture matters: the whole berries give bursts of tart sweetness and contrast beautifully with the cheese.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (about 2 small sprigs) — optional, but they add a lovely festive appearance and a subtle herbaceous note that lifts the flavors.
Note: This recipe serves 24 bites.
Variations
Want to switch things up? Here are some great alternative options:
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free “brie-style” vegan cheese wheel instead of brie, and proceed the same way.
- Sugar-reduced: Choose a low-sugar cranberry sauce or make your own with less sweetener for a tangier flavor.
- Flavor-enhancing add-ins: Try topping each bite with a toasted pecan half or chopped walnut for a nutty crunch. You can also swap cranberry sauce with raspberry jam or orange marmalade for a fun twist.
- Alternative dough: If you’d like a flakier pastry, use puff pastry sheets instead of crescent dough — just note the baking time may vary slightly.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Equipment You Need
Here are the tools I used and why they matter:
- Mini muffin tin — holds each bite and helps the dough bake into neat little cups.
- Cooking spray — prevents sticking in the muffin tin.
- Rolling surface — for flattening the dough sheet evenly.
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife — for cutting the dough into equal squares.
- Oven (preheated to 375°F / 190°C) — bakes the bites until perfectly golden.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
Here are the steps to assemble and bake these festive treats.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First, I preheated my oven and sprayed the mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Then I lightly floured my counter and rolled out the crescent dough. If your dough comes in separate rolls, pinch the seams together to create one smooth sheet so it will bake evenly.
Step 2: Cut and Fill
Next, I cut the dough into 24 equal squares and pressed each square into a mini muffin tin well. Then I cut the brie wheel into small pieces and placed one piece into each dough cup. After that, I added a generous spoonful of whole-berry cranberry sauce on top of each brie piece. Finally, I placed a small rosemary sprig on top for that festive touch.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
I baked them at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the dough was a light golden brown and the brie melted and gooey. Then I served them warm — that melty center and the tart cranberry really shine when fresh out of the oven. You might also like to try the hot honey chicken cutlets recipe if you enjoy easy yet flavorful dishes that impress guests.
Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better
From my experience, these little tweaks help them turn out even more amazing:
- I made sure to press the dough squares firmly into the muffin tin to prevent shrinking during baking.
- I let the brie come to room temperature for a few minutes before baking so it melted smoother.
- I served them as soon as possible after baking — the warm gooey center is what makes them irresistible.
- I always double the recipe when hosting, because they disappear fast!
- I keep extra cranberry sauce on the side in case guests want a little more on top.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites
These little bites are perfect for any holiday or party spread. Arrange them neatly on a pretty platter or a tiered appetizer stand. Garnish the tray with extra sprigs of rosemary or fresh cranberries for a festive look.
Serve them warm so the cheese stays soft and melty. You can even add small cocktail forks or toothpicks for easy serving. If you love texture, serve with a side of toasted nuts or honey drizzle for extra flair.
Nutritional Information
Here are the approximate nutrition facts per bite:
- Calories: 82 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fat: 4 g
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead
You can assemble the bites in advance — place the dough squares, brie, cranberry sauce, and rosemary in the muffin tin — and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before putting them in the oven.
Storage
Once baked, these bites stay fresh for about one day at room temperature or up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. To reheat, place them in the oven or air fryer until warm and slightly crisp again. Avoid microwaving — it makes the dough soggy.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze baked cranberry brie bites! Wrap them tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers. When ready to serve, thaw them in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warm and crisp. They’ll taste just as delicious as freshly made.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this appetizer is always a crowd favorite:
- Easy to prepare: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip these up in under 30 minutes.
- Festive and beautiful: The golden pastry, melted brie, and ruby-red cranberry sauce look elegant on any holiday table.
- Versatile: You can easily swap ingredients, adjust sweetness, or customize toppings to suit your taste.
- Perfect balance of flavors: The creamy brie, tart cranberry sauce, and buttery pastry create a harmonious bite every time.
- Party-friendly: Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or even a cozy night in — these bites are guaranteed to impress guests.
These Cranberry Brie Bites are my go-to holiday appetizer because they combine elegance with ease. They look fancy, taste gourmet, and yet take almost no effort to make. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a casual get-together, they bring warmth, flavor, and a touch of sophistication to the table. Give them a try — I promise you’ll end up making them more than once!
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- First, I preheated my oven and sprayed the mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Then I lightly floured my counter and rolled out the crescent dough. If your dough comes in separate rolls, pinch the seams together to create one smooth sheet so it will bake evenly.
- Next, I cut the dough into 24 equal squares and pressed each square into a mini muffin tin well. Then I cut the brie wheel into small pieces and placed one piece into each dough cup. After that, I added a generous spoonful of whole-berry cranberry sauce on top of each brie piece. Finally, I placed a small rosemary sprig on top for that festive touch.
- I baked them at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the dough was a light golden brown and the brie melted and gooey. Then I served them warm — that melty center and the tart cranberry really shine when fresh out of the oven.
Notes
- I made sure to press the dough squares firmly into the muffin tin to prevent shrinking during baking.
- I let the brie come to room temperature for a few minutes before baking so it melted smoother.
- I served them as soon as possible after baking — the warm gooey center is what makes them irresistible.
- I always double the recipe when hosting, because they disappear fast!
- I keep extra cranberry sauce on the side in case guests want a little more on top.