The first time I made these, it was a chilly Thanksgiving morning. The house smelled like coffee, cinnamon, and puff pastry. I popped one bite into my mouth before guests arrived—and immediately smiled. Buttery, warm, a little tangy, a little sweet. It was the kind of moment that made me pause, just to enjoy the quiet comfort of it.
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Why You’ll Love These Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These Baked Cranberry Brie Bites come together in just 25 minutes. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, but honestly, they work for any fall gathering or quiet weekend at home.
They’re quick, festive, and always a hit.
The flavors play so well together—melty brie, tart cranberry, and flaky puff pastry.
You only need a handful of ingredients, and the prep is super easy.
They’re simple to scale too, which makes them great for larger gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few things to make these little bites shine:
- Puff pastry: One sheet, defrosted in the fridge overnight.
- Brie cheese: About 4 oz. Use a small wheel and chill it briefly in the freezer to make cutting easier.
- Cranberry sauce: Whole berry sauce works best for texture. Homemade or store-bought is totally fine.
- Candied pecans (optional): For a sweet crunch on top.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional): Adds a lovely herbal aroma.
If you want to mix things up, swap in raspberry or apricot jam. Even a dollop of pesto or sundried tomato spread can be delicious.
How to Make Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These come together in five easy steps. Don’t blink—you might miss it.
Step 1 – Prepare the Puff Pastry
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
Then, unroll your thawed puff pastry and cut it into 16 squares using a knife or pizza cutter.
Drop one square into each muffin cup. Press down gently to form a little pastry nest.
Step 2 – Cube and Add the Brie
Place your brie in the freezer for 10–15 minutes. It firms up and slices more easily that way.
Cut it into 16 small cubes and place one in each pastry shell.
The rind is totally fine to leave on—it’s edible and softens beautifully when baked.
Step 3 – Top with Cranberry Sauce
Spoon a small dollop of cranberry sauce on top of each brie cube.
Don’t overfill—too much can bubble over during baking.
If you’re using a jam instead, the same rule applies: a little goes a long way.
Step 4 – Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes.
Check around the 10-minute mark to make sure the pastry isn’t browning too fast.
They’re done when the edges are puffed and golden.
Step 5 – Garnish and Serve
Let the bites cool for just a couple of minutes.
Run a knife around the edges to pop them out cleanly.
Top with chopped candied pecans and a little sprig of rosemary if you’d like.
Serve warm while the brie is still melty.
Variations and Flavor Swaps
These are easy to customize based on what you have:
- Jam swaps: Try fig, apricot, or raspberry jam in place of cranberry.
- Savory spins: Use pesto or sundried tomato paste for a totally different vibe.
- Nutty toppings: Try salted almonds, pistachios, or toasted pecans if you don’t have candied ones.
It’s a fun way to make the recipe your own.
Expert Tips for Best Results
- Freeze the brie before slicing to keep things neat and non-gooey.
- Thaw your puff pastry overnight in the fridge. Don’t microwave it—it gets rubbery.
- Serve right away for the best flavor and texture. These bites don’t reheat well.
If you’re looking for another festive finger food, try these festive mini pumpkin pie crescent rolls—they’re sweet, spiced, and bite-sized too.
FAQs About Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Do I need to remove the brie rind?
Nope! The rind is soft, edible, and totally fine to bake. It melts nicely along with the cheese and adds to the texture.
Can I make these ahead of time?
These bites really are best fresh. You can prep the puff pastry and brie ahead, but wait to bake them until just before serving. The pastry gets soggy if it sits too long.
How do I store leftovers?
If you happen to have any left, pop them in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to crisp the pastry back up. The microwave makes them a bit soft.
Baked Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe Card (insert)
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Baked Cranberry Brie Bites – Quick & Festive Favorite
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 bites
Description
Quick, buttery, and crowd-pleasing, these Baked Cranberry Brie Bites make the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. Each bite combines flaky puff pastry, melty brie, and tart cranberry sauce for a warm and festive snack.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted overnight
4 oz brie cheese (small wheel)
½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Candied pecans (optional)
Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Unroll puff pastry and cut into 16 squares (4×4 grid).
3. Place each puff pastry square into a muffin tin slot.
4. Freeze brie for 10–15 minutes, then cut into 16 cubes.
5. Add one brie cube to each puff pastry cup.
6. Top each with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce. Do not overfill.
7. Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown. Start checking at 10 minutes.
8. Cool slightly, run a knife around the edges, and remove from the tin.
9. Garnish with candied pecans and rosemary if using. Serve warm.
Notes
Brie rind is edible and softens during baking—no need to remove it.
Freezing brie helps it slice cleanly without sticking.
Don’t overfill with sauce to prevent spills during baking.
These bites are best fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
More Such Recipes
Planning your Thanksgiving spread? These go great with buttery herb stuffing to pair with festive bites or this juicy slow cooker turkey breast for the holidays.
You can also add a little contrast with something savory like crispy and golden baked buffalo wings.
Final Thoughts
Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are one of those little joys that make the holidays feel special.
They’re warm, cozy, and full of flavor. And they disappear fast—so make a double batch if you’re feeding a crowd.
Play around with variations and don’t forget to share your version with us! You can find us on Pinterest or Facebook. We love seeing what you create.