Puff pastry cups filled with melted brie and cranberry sauce
Cranberry Brie Bites
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12
24 bites
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Cranberry Brie Bites
Puff pastry cups filled with melted brie and cranberry sauce
★4.7(16)
Flaky puff pastry cups filled with gooey melted brie and tangy cranberry sauce, topped with a sprig of rosemary. An elegant two-bite holiday appetizer that disappears instantly.
15m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
30m
Total Time
12
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
These cranberry brie bites are the perfect holiday party appetizer—elegant, easy, and irresistibly delicious. Each flaky pastry cup holds a pocket of melted brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz brie cheese, rind removed, cubed
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 24 small rosemary sprigs
- 1 egg, beaten (egg wash)
Instructions
- 1
Roll puff pastry slightly on a floured surface. Cut into 24 squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- 2
Press each square into a greased mini muffin tin, creating a cup shape. Brush edges with egg wash.
- 3
Place a cube of brie in each cup and top with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
- 4
Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is golden and puffed and the brie is melted.
- 5
Remove from the pan, drizzle with honey, and garnish each bite with a small rosemary sprig. Serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve alongside a fresh baguette and salted butter
Pair with a crisp green salad with Dijon vinaigrette
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Substitutions
Puff pastryPhyllo dough (3 layers, buttered)
Creates a thinner, crispier shell
Cranberry sauceFig jam
A year-round alternative with similar sweet-tart flavor
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Keep puff pastry cold until ready to cut—it puffs best when the butter layers are chilled.
Use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving to make these for Christmas parties.
Let the protein rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Season each component individually rather than seasoning at the end — this builds deeper, more complex flavor throughout.
Storage
Best served immediately. Refrigerate assembled bites before baking for up to 4 hours.
Reheating
Reheat at 375°F for 5 minutes to re-crisp the pastry and melt the cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (25mg) · 12 servings
Calories145
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein4g
Carbohydrates9g
Fat12g
Fiber160mg
Sugar0g
Sodium5g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use phyllo dough instead?
- Yes, layer 3 phyllo sheets brushed with butter, cut into squares, and proceed the same way.
- What cheese works besides brie?
- Camembert is nearly identical. Goat cheese is tangier but also delicious.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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