Olivia Cranberry Brie Bites are my go-to when I want a fancy-looking appetizer that secretly takes almost no effort—just the kind of kitchen magic I love. There’s something so satisfying about popping one of these little golden bites into your mouth: flaky puff pastry, melty brie, tart cranberry sauce, and a hint of rosemary all come together in a flavor-packed bite-sized dream. I’ve served them at everything from Sunday brunches to holiday parties, and they’re always gone within minutes.
These beauties strike that perfect balance between sweet, savory, creamy, and crisp. Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer or just someone looking to jazz up snack time, this recipe delivers major elegance with very little stress. The best part? You can make them ahead, freeze them, or switch up the fillings to suit your crowd (or just your current mood!). Let’s be real—anything involving buttery puff pastry and gooey cheese is bound to be a hit!
What’s on the Plate
Overview
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Appetizer, Snack
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 bites
What’s in Every Bite
- Calories: 110
- Carbs: 9g
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 95mg
Total Recipe Cost
- Estimated Total Cost: $7.50
- Cost Per Serving: $0.31 per bite
- Main Cost Factors: Brie cheese, puff pastry
The Story Behind the Flavor
While brie and cranberry might sound like a modern flavor combo, the roots go deep. Brie cheese, named after the French region of Brie, has been around since the 8th century, often referred to as the “Queen of Cheeses.” Fast forward to America in the 1990s—chefs started pairing brie with fruit preserves in baked dishes, and voila, a classic was born. Cranberry sauce, of course, is deeply tied to American Thanksgiving traditions. Put the two together in a buttery puff pastry and you’ve got a dish that’s timeless, seasonal, and delicious.
These Cranberry Brie Bites became popular around the early 2000s with the rise of Pinterest-style holiday entertaining. And I totally get why—they’re gorgeous, mess-free, and look like they came from a gourmet bakery. One sheet of puff pastry, a wheel of brie, and a dollop of cranberry sauce later, and you’re looking at a little piece of holiday joy.
Perfect For
These Coconut Magic Bars are like the MVP of sweet treats — always showing up, always stealing the show. Here’s when to bring them out:
Holiday Parties & Christmas Gatherings – With their cozy, coconutty sweetness and festive layered look, these bars were basically born for cookie exchanges and dessert platters. Santa might even trade in the milk and cookies for these!
Thanksgiving Appetizers (or Dessert Sneak Peeks!) – Who says you can’t start the feast with a bite-sized dessert? These bars are perfect to nibble on while the turkey finishes roasting.
Bridal or Baby Showers – Light, chewy, and pretty on a tray, they pair perfectly with pastel plates, tea cups, and lots of oohs and ahhs from the guests.
Fancy Potlucks – Want to be the person everyone begs for the recipe from? Bring these. No fancy ingredients, but they deliver big “wow” energy.
Wine & Cheese Nights – Believe it or not, the sweetness of coconut and condensed milk plays beautifully with salty cheeses and crisp wines. It’s the sweet finish no one saw coming.
Quick Weekend Snack Boards – Got friends coming over or just want to treat the family? Add a few magic bars to your weekend snack board lineup. They’re grab-and-go, no forks needed, and disappear faster than popcorn at movie night.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is basically your culinary secret weapon — whether you’re feeding a crowd, need a quick app, or just want something golden and gooey in your life. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with these bites:
- 5 Ingredients, 30 Minutes – That’s it. Seriously.
- No chopping, no complicated prep. Just a handful of simple ingredients and you’re on your way to flaky, cheesy perfection.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Freeze now, bake later.
- Busy? Prep these ahead, freeze them raw, and just pop them in the oven when you’re ready. Instant appetizer magic with zero day-of stress.
- Customizable – Add herbs, nuts, or swap the cheese.
- Feel like leveling up? Sprinkle fresh rosemary, swap in goat cheese, or toss in some chopped walnuts for texture. They’re endlessly adaptable to your taste or the season.
- Perfect Party Size – No forks, no mess.
- Handheld and mess-free means these are ideal for mingling, snacking, and not worrying about dishes. Perfect for appetizer tables, snack boards, or brunch spreads.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Elegant and comforting in one bite.
- They look fancy, taste like a dream, and work for every crowd — picky eaters, foodies, and everyone in between. It’s like bringing a warm hug to the party… wrapped in pastry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or homemade)
- 1 wheel brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Optional Add-ins
- Chopped pecans or walnuts – for crunch
- Maple syrup or honey drizzle – for a touch of sweetness
- Orange zest – to brighten the cranberry flavor
- Chili flakes – for a hint of heat
Ingredient Highlights
- Puff Pastry: Buttery, flaky, and the base for your bites. Store-bought works beautifully.
- Brie Cheese: Creamy, earthy, and melts like a dream. Remove the rind for extra ooze.
- Cranberry Sauce: Tart and sweet, it cuts through the richness of the brie.
- Rosemary: Adds a piney pop of herbal freshness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 24 small squares.
- Press each square into a mini muffin cup, making little pastry nests.
- Add a cube of brie to each pastry, followed by a small spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle rosemary on top and brush the exposed pastry edges with egg wash.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before removing from the tin. Serve warm or at room temp!
Pro Tips
Want these bites to turn out bakery-beautiful every single time? I’ve got you covered with a few no-fail tips that make all the difference:
- Keep the puff pastry cold before baking for best rise and flakiness.
- Warm dough gets sticky and sad. Cold dough puffs up like magic! If it gets too soft while assembling, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes and then keep going.
- Use a non-stick mini muffin tin or silicone liners to avoid sticking.
- There’s nothing worse than losing half your bite to the pan. Grease those muffin cups well or line with silicone molds so your gooey brie goodness comes out in one perfect piece.
- Cut the brie with dental floss for cleaner slices.
- Forget the knife struggle — unflavored dental floss glides through soft cheese like a dream. It gives you neat squares with zero smoosh.
- Add toppings like crushed nuts or orange zest after baking for a flavor boost.
- A sprinkle of crushed pecans or a touch of fresh orange zest turns these into gourmet little treasures. Bonus points if you drizzle a little honey or balsamic glaze over the top!
- Let them cool just a bit before serving.
- They’re lava-hot when fresh out of the oven! Give them a few minutes to cool so the cheese settles and the flavors shine.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is a blank canvas for all kinds of delicious holiday magic. Whether you’re feeling sweet, savory, or a little spicy, try one of these creative twists:
- Caramelized Onion & Brie Bites –
- Swap the cranberry sauce with a spoonful of deeply golden caramelized onions. The sweet-savory combo is buttery and irresistible — perfect for fans of French onion flavors!
- Fig & Brie –
- Use fig jam in place of cranberry for a luxurious bite that leans rich and earthy. It’s like a little black dress of appetizers: elegant, effortless, and always a hit.
- Jalapeño Cranberry –
- Feeling bold? Add a thin slice of fresh jalapeño right on top of the cranberry and brie before baking. The sweet heat combo is totally addictive (and makes your party guests go whoa in the best way).
- Apple Butter Brie Bites –
- For a cozy, fall-inspired twist, spoon in some apple butter instead of cranberry sauce. It brings that warm cinnamon-y vibe that’s perfect for autumn dinners or Thanksgiving spreads.
- Pecan Praline Brie Bites –
- Go full Southern charm with a touch of chopped praline pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup. Dessert? Appetizer? Who cares. They’ll disappear either way.
- Savory Herb & Garlic Brie –
- Skip the fruit and layer in a sliver of roasted garlic or herb butter for a more savory, aromatic bite. Great with a glass of red wine and cozy winter vibes.
Gluten-Free Version
No gluten? No problem — these brie bites still bring the buttery, flaky goodness! Just grab a gluten-free puff pastry sheet from brands like Schär or GeeFree (you’ll usually find them in the frozen section at specialty grocers or online). Let it thaw as directed, then roll and cut just like the regular kind.
The rest of the recipe stays the same — gooey brie, sweet jam, and that golden finish. Just be sure to double-check your cranberry sauce (and any added toppings) to make sure they’re certified gluten-free too. These bites are proof that party snacks can be fancy, fun, and gluten-free all in one!
Kid-Friendly Version
These little cheesy bites are a total win with kids — especially when you make them a bit more fun and fruity! Swap the cranberry sauce for raspberry or strawberry jam to dial up the sweetness (trust me, little tastebuds go wild for it). Skip the fresh herbs or fancy garnishes — no need to get too grown-up here.
You can even let your kids help out in the kitchen: they’ll love spooning jam into the pastry cups or popping in the cheese. It’s a great way to get them involved (and maybe sneak in a few cooking skills too!). Perfect for lunchbox treats, birthday parties, or just because they’ve been extra adorable today.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 24 small squares.
- Press each square into a mini muffin cup, making little pastry nests.
- Add a cube of brie to each pastry, followed by a small spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle rosemary on top and brush the exposed pastry edges with egg wash.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before removing from the tin. Serve warm or at room temp!
Notes
Cranberry Brie Bites – Helpful Tips
Cooking Tips & Techniques- Use cold puff pastry: Keep the dough chilled until ready to use—it puffs better and handles easier.
- Cut evenly: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to get uniform squares for even baking.
- Don’t overfill: A small cube of brie and a teaspoon of cranberry sauce is perfect—too much and they’ll overflow.
- Add a touch of thyme: A tiny pinch of fresh thyme or rosemary balances the sweetness with earthy flavor.
- Grease or line your muffin tin: This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Serve warm as an appetizer with champagne, prosecco, or a light white wine.
- Pair with savory charcuterie for a sweet-salty combo.
- Garnish with a fresh cranberry or thyme sprig for holiday flair.
- Try as a side for a festive brunch or light lunch board.
- Make-ahead: Assemble them in the muffin tin and refrigerate (covered) up to 24 hours before baking.
- Storage: Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm them in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes until the brie is gooey again.
- Freezing tip: Freeze unbaked bites in the muffin tin until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the cook time.
- Spicy cranberry: Mix cranberry sauce with a bit of chili jam or sriracha for a sweet heat version.
- Savory twist: Add caramelized onions or chopped crispy bacon under the brie.
- Nutty crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking.
- Fruit fusion: Use fig jam, apricot preserves, or raspberry compote instead of cranberry sauce.
- Herbaceous flair: Add a hint of rosemary or a sage leaf for a rustic flavor twist.
Taste What’s Next
Shrimp Avocado Salad
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips
Charcuterie Skewers
or you Can Dig Deeper Recipes by clicking this: Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Desserts.
Storage & Reheating
- Store: Got leftovers? (Unlikely, but hey, miracles happen.) Just pop them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing them up so they stay nice and flaky.
- Reheat: To bring back that golden puff and melty brie magic, skip the microwave and use the oven. Preheat to 350°F and warm them for 5–7 minutes until they’re crisp and gooey again. If you’re really in a hurry, a toaster oven works great too!
- Freeze: Want to get ahead of the holiday madness? Assemble the bites all the way through, then freeze them unbaked on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, bake straight from frozen — just add 3–4 extra minutes to the usual cook time. Voilà! Instant party snacks without the stress.
Equipment
- Mini muffin tin
- Sharp knife (or dental floss!)
- Small spoon
- Pastry brush
- Oven
FAQs
What kind of cranberry sauce works best?
Whole berry cranberry sauce adds texture, but smooth jellied sauce works too.
Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes! Phyllo will make them flakier and lighter—just layer 2-3 sheets with melted butter.
How long can I freeze them before baking?
Up to 1 month! Freeze them in the muffin tin, then transfer to a zip-top bag.
What cheese can I use instead of brie?
Camembert is the best swap, but goat cheese or fontina also work nicely.
Can I serve these cold?
They’re best warm or room temp, but yes—you can serve them chilled too.
External Resources
Conclusion
There’s just something magical about these Cranberry Brie Bites. They feel festive, look elegant, and come together faster than your guests can say “yum!” Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just want a cozy treat, these bites bring sparkle to any spread. And let’s be real—cheese and pastry are a love story we’ll never get tired of.
So go ahead — snap a photo and post it online! Don’t forget to tag me! I want to see your cooking success. Happy cooking!
