Cranberry Brie Bites: The Easiest Holiday Appetizer

Table of Contents

Get ready to discover your new favorite holiday staple. These Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and sweet, all wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust. They look incredibly elegant but are shockingly simple to make, making them the ultimate stress-free appetizer for any gathering. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy get-together, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

With just a handful of ingredients and less than 15 minutes of bake time, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible baked brie bites that will disappear from the platter in minutes. Let’s dive into why this recipe is an absolute must-try.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Cranberry Brie Bites

These little bites are more than just a pretty appetizer; they are a powerhouse of flavor and convenience. They solve the “what should I bring” dilemma with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Incredibly Easy: Using refrigerated crescent roll dough makes this recipe practically foolproof. No need to make pastry from scratch!
Fast & Efficient: With only 10 minutes of prep and about 12 minutes in the oven, you can have a warm, delicious appetizer ready in under 30 minutes.
Perfectly Portioned: Forget messy cheese boards. These individual bites are easy for guests to grab and enjoy without any fuss.
Elegant & Festive: The vibrant red from the cranberry and the fresh green from the rosemary garnish make these bites look incredibly festive and sophisticated.

The Perfect 5-Ingredient Appetizer

The beauty of this Cranberry Brie Bites recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need five core ingredients to create this masterpiece.

Cranberry brie bites being assembled in a mini muffin tin before baking, showing the process of filling the crescent dough cups. — Assembling these bites is quick, easy, and fun!

Brie Cheese

The star of the show! A wheel of brie provides the perfect creamy, melty center. You don’t need a super expensive brand; any standard brie will work wonderfully. Don’t worry about trimming the rind—it’s completely edible and adds a nice texture.

Crescent Roll Dough

This is our secret weapon for a quick and flaky pastry cup. A standard 8-ounce can of refrigerated crescent roll dough is all you need. It’s easy to work with and bakes up beautifully golden and buttery.

Cranberry Sauce

Whole berry cranberry sauce adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. It pairs classic holiday flavor with the rich, creamy brie. You can use store-bought to save time or even make your own.

Pecans

Chopped pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the soft cheese. Toasting them beforehand can deepen their flavor, but it’s an optional step if you’re short on time. For a different texture, try making some slow cooker candied pecans ahead of time!

Fresh Rosemary

A tiny sprig of fresh rosemary not only adds a beautiful touch of green but also infuses the bites with a subtle, woodsy aroma that screams holiday season. It’s the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites (Step-by-Step)

Making these cranberry brie puffs is as simple as unrolling, cutting, filling, and baking. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.

Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin to prevent any sticking.
Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and press the perforations to seal them, forming a single rectangular sheet. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into 24 equal squares.
Form the Cups: Gently press each square of dough into a cup of the prepared mini muffin tin, creating a small tartlet shell.
Add the Brie: Cut the wheel of brie into 24 small, roughly 1-inch cubes. Place one cube of brie into each crescent dough cup.
Top and Garnish: Spoon about a teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce over the brie. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and the brie is delightfully melted.
Final Garnish: Let the bites cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter. Garnish each bite with a small sprig of fresh rosemary before serving warm.

Pro Tips for Perfect Brie Bites

Want to ensure your Cranberry Brie Bites are flawless? Here are a few expert tips.

Chill the Brie: For cleaner cuts, place your brie in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before cubing it. This prevents the cheese from smearing as you slice.
Don’t Overfill: Be mindful not to overfill the cups. Too much cranberry sauce or cheese can cause them to spill over and make a mess in your muffin tin.
Serve Warm: These bites are best enjoyed warm while the brie is perfectly gooey and melted.

Fun Variations to Try

While the classic recipe is a winner, feel free to get creative! This recipe is a fantastic base for experimentation.

A close-up shot showing the ingredients for baked brie bites: a wheel of brie, a can of crescent dough, cranberry sauce, and pecans. — You only need 5 simple ingredients for this incredible appetizer.

Use Puff Pastry: For an even flakier, puffier texture, swap the crescent dough for a sheet of puff pastry.
Switch the Nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, or even slivered almonds work beautifully in place of pecans.
Add a Drizzle: A light drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the top after baking adds an extra layer of sweetness.
Try Different Jams: Not a fan of cranberry? Fig jam, apricot preserves, or even a spicy pepper jelly would be delicious alternatives. If you love unique holiday flavors, you might also enjoy this festive Christmas pizza wreath.

For another show-stopping holiday appetizer, give these incredible mini beef Wellington bites a try!

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Yes, you can absolutely prepare these ahead of time, making your party day even easier!

To Make Ahead: You can assemble the bites in the muffin tin (without the final rosemary garnish) up to 4 hours in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready, bake straight from the fridge, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
To Store Leftovers: Store any leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: For the best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cranberry Brie Bites

Can I make Cranberry Brie Bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can fully assemble them in the muffin tin up to 4 hours in advance. Just cover and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.