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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Cranberry Brie Bites

    By Dannii · Published 27th November 2020 · Updated 24th September 2021 · 11 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links and generates income via ads · This site uses cookies · Post contains 1801 words. · About 10 minutes to read this article.

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    Cranberry Brie Bites with a text title overlay.

    These Cranberry Brie Bites are the ultimate festive party food or appetiser, but so simple to make. Golden and flaky puff pastry wrapped around delicious gooey melted brie and a generous dollop of chunky cranberry sauce. They are little bites of perfection, and cooked in just 15 minutes.

    Brie and cranberry bites on a serving board next to some glasses of red wine and a board with cheese on it.

    These Cranberry Brie Bites look far more fancy and complicated than they actually are. Just 3 ingredients and less than 5 minutes prep time, so they can be thrown together at the last minute.

    Easy to adapt with a few "hidden veggies", these are a must on any party food table or simply indulge and eat them yourself!

    Looking for some other things to serve up at a Christmas party? Why not try our Cheese Straws, Ultimate Prawn Cocktail or Grazing Platter.

    Jump to:
    • Why should you try it?
    • What you will need
    • Step by step
    • Brie and cranberry
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More Christmas recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why should you try it?

    • The ULTIMATE Christmas party food - Brie and cranberry just scream Christmas and these little bites are perfect for serving up at a party.
    • Easy to adapt - You can use a different cheese and sauce/chutney to make them a different way every time.
    • Just 3 ingredients - That's all it takes to make these delicious bites. Just pastry, brie and cranberry sauce.
    • Cooked in just 15 minutes - These are so quick to make too and it only takes 15 minutes for the pastry to puff up and get nice and crispy.
    • Can be made in advance - You could do all the prep in advance and then put the baking tray in the oven until you are ready to cook them. They may need a little longer in the oven if they are coming out cold from the fridge.

    What you will need

    • Puff pastry - Yes, we cheated and used store bought, ready rolled puff pastry. We rarely make our own pastry, as the store bought stuff is so easy and even top chefs use store bought. This recipe is all about a quick and easy party food, and store bought pastry saves lots of time. If you are using frozen pastry, make sure you defrost it first.
    • Brie - You want to use a really good quality brie, not the cheap supermarket stuff (although that will still work as a last resort). The gooier the brie, the better.
    • Cranberry sauce - Again, quality is important. We like a chunky cranberry sauce that still has whole cranberries in it. But you can use a smooth cranberry sauce if you prefer.
    • Rosemary - Just to add a little decoration to the top!
    The ingredients needed for this recipe laid out with a text overlay on each item.

    Step by step

    It really couldn't be any easier to make these brie bites. You simply add squares of puff pastry to a muffin tin, add brie and cranberry sauce and then bake. Then, most importantly, eat and enjoy!

    One: Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Grease a muffin tin and add a square of pastry to each hole, gently pressing in.

    A muffin tin with squares of pastry in each hole.

    Two: Add a slice of Brie, two teaspoons of cranberry sauce and a small sprig of rosemary.

    A muffin tin with pastry, brie and cranberry sauce in each hole.

    Three: Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

    Cooked cranberry bites in a muffin tin.

    Brie and cranberry

    Brie is a must during the festive season, and always features on our Christmas cheese board. However, there is SO much more that you can do with brie. If you have ever baked a whole brie and dipped bread in to it, then you will know how amazing melted brie is - these are like little bite sized versions.

    You could even use this recipe as a way to use up leftover brie from the cheese board, and any leftover cranberry sauce from Christmas dinner.

    When it comes to the ingredients used, you want to go for the best quality possible. Whilst it might be tempting to use a cheap wedge of brie, even when melted it is pretty tasteless. Try to get something that is pretty gooey to begin with, even uncooked.

    The cranberry sauce matters too, as it gives these little bites so much flavour. We like to go for a sauce that still has chunky cranberries in it to give lots of texture, rather than a smooth sauce. But that really is a preference thing.

    You also don't have to use brie and cranberry if you fancy a change. Controversial for a brie and cranberry recipe. These puff pastry bites are really versatile thought. Swap the brie for camembert or a rinded goats cheese and then swap the cranberry sauce for a chutney.

    A small sprig of rosemary on top of cranberry filled puff pastry.

    Variations

    We love any kind of food that we can add some vegetables to, especially during the festive season when our diet can be a little lacking in vegetables and a little too heavy on cheese and chocolate. Whilst you have to be careful not to over stuff these and make them too heavy, there is room for a little veggie boost.

    Finely chop half a mushroom (depending on the size) and add on top of the brie before the cranberry sauce. You could also do the same with a little spinach and finely chop it. Don't add anything too watery, as it can make the pastry soggy.

    Puff pastry cranberry bites on a wooden serving board.

    FAQs

    Are cranberry brie bites healthy?

    In a word, no. These are deliciously indulgent and just want you need at Christmas time. There are loads of health benefits of cranberries though, as they are a good source of vitamin C, E and K1 as well as fibre. You can also add some vegetables to these bites for an extra nutrient boost.

    What muffin pan to use?

    We used a Mini Muffin Tray to make these, as these are the perfect size and the smaller size helps the bites to get nice and crispy. A larger muffin tin won't work for this recipe.

    Do you have to cut the rind off the brie?

    No, you don't have to cut the rind off the brie for this recipe. Once everything is cooked, it melts together and it is all soft and gooey. In fact, removing the rind will make these harder to make, as you won't have anything to hold on to and the cheese will be pretty sticky.

    Brie or cranberry in first?

    We have tested this both ways and we find that adding the brie first is best. If you add the cranberry sauce first, because it is wet it can make the pastry really soggy. Also, the cranberry sauce is pretty heavy, so it falls in to the melted brie and gives this amazing colour combination when finished.

    Can you make cranberry brie bites in advance?

    Yes, you can assemble these in advance and then just pop them in the oven before you are ready to store them. That's why they are the perfect party food, as you can get them ready hours before your guests arrive. You can assemble them in your muffin tin and then keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. You will need to add some time on to cooking if they have come out cold from the fridge.

    How to store brie and cranberry bites.

    If you have any leftovers of these (unlikely, they are amazing and usually go within seconds of us putting them on the table) then you can store them in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Can you freeze them?

    Yes, you can freeze them. They won't taste quite the same when defrosted, but they are still tasty. You can either freeze them unbaked or once cooked wait for them to cool and freeze them. Simply put them on a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid. You can then put them in a ziplock bag and then will be good for about a month.

    How to reheat.

    You can reheat these from the fridge or freezer. Simply put them on a lined baking tray and then loosely cover with foil. Put them in a preheated oven at 180C and cook until warmed through (around 10 minutes from the fridge).

    Extra tips

    • Whilst it might be tempting, don't overload the pastry with brie and cranberry as it will all ooze out as the pastry rises.
    • If you have a really gooey brie to begin with (which is the best tasting in our opinion), then you can put it in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting. This will make the cut squares of brie easier to handle and add to the pastry.
    • Only get the pastry out of the fridge just before you are about to cut it in to squares. If you leave it out too long and it warms up, it's really hard to work with and get in the muffin tin.
    • We topped out brie and cranberry bites with a sprig of fresh rosemary before baking. This adds lots of delicious flavour to the brie. You could swap it for thyme, or leave it out completely. You could also just add them before serving for decoration.

    More Christmas recipes

    • Healthy Christmas Cookies
    • Easy Christmas Salad
    • Honey Roast Duck
    • Christmas Popcorn

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    If you’ve tried these Cranberry Brie Bites recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

    Recipe

    Cranberry and Brie Bites on a wooden serving board.

    Cranberry Brie Bites

    Golden and flaky puff pastry wrapped around delicious gooey melted brie and a generous dollop of chunky cranberry sauce.
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 14 votes
    Pin Print
    Course: Appetizer, Party Food, Snack
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 160kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 280 g puff pastry
    • 130 g brie cut into 12 equal pieces
    • 100 g cranberry sauce
    • rosemary (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.
    • Grease a muffin tin and add a square of pastry to each hole, gently pressing in.
      280 g puff pastry
    • Add a slice of Brie, two teaspoons of cranberry sauce and a small sprig of rosemary.
      130 g brie, 100 g cranberry sauce, rosemary
    • Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

    Notes

    • Whilst it might be tempting, don't overload the pastry with brie and cranberry as it will all ooze out as the pastry rises.
    • If you have a really gooey brie to begin with (which is the best tasting in our opinion), then you can put it in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting. This will make the cut squares of brie easier to handle and add to the pastry.
    • Only get the pastry out of the fridge just before you are about to cut it in to squares. If you leave it out too long and it warms up, it's really hard to work with and get in the muffin tin.
    • We topped out brie and cranberry bites with a sprig of fresh rosemary before baking. This adds lots of delicious flavour to the brie. You could swap it for thyme, or leave it out completely. You could also just add them before serving for decoration.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1bite | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    « Healthy Christmas Cookies
    Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kylie

      November 29, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      5 stars
      I'll be switching to camembert because i bought a massive wheel of it at costco! Such a great recipe.

      Reply
    2. Eileen Kelly

      November 28, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      I'm all about the appetizers and these cranberry brie bites are winners. Super easy to make and everyone loved them.

      Reply
    3. David

      November 28, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      great appetizer idea for Thanksgiving or Christmas! I love brie on its own but its even better when melted with other tasty ingredients as you do in this recipe.

      Reply
    4. Jen

      November 28, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love the smoothness of the brie with the tartness of the cranberry. So delicious!

      Reply
    5. Chris Collins

      November 28, 2020 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      Cranberry and brie is a match made in heaven! This is delicious finger food!

      Reply
    6. Jacqueline Meldrum

      November 28, 2020 at 8:28 am

      5 stars
      What a brilliant idea! These are perfect for a Christmas starter.

      Reply
    7. Tara

      November 27, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      Oh how festive! Definitely perfect for the holidays and I love the minimal prep. Sounds so amazing paired with the flaky puff pastry.

      Reply
    8. Tawnie

      November 27, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      Cranberry and brie is a match made in heaven! Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a hit!

      Reply
    9. Charla

      November 27, 2020 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes! Cranberry and brie are super festive. Adding to my list of baked goods.

      Reply
    10. Amy

      November 27, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      Cranberry and brie is the perfect combination and so great for Christmas!

      Reply
    11. Shanna

      November 27, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      These are so yummy and I can't wait to make them again for christmas.

      Reply

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    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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