The holiday season is officially upon us. That means festive music, twinkling lights, and of course, gatherings with friends and family. It’s a wonderful time of year. It can also be a little bit hectic, can’t it?
If you’re hosting a get together, you want to spend time with your guests, not stuck in the kitchen. That’s why having a few simple recipes on hand is so important. This recipe for Finger Foods For Christmas Party is a real lifesaver.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? These little bites are the definition of simple elegance. They look so fancy on a platter, but they come together in just a few minutes. Your guests will think you spent hours preparing them.
The flavor combination is just classic holiday goodness. You get the creamy, buttery Brie cheese paired with the sweet and tangy cranberry sauce. A little sprinkle of fresh thyme adds a lovely earthy note that ties it all together beautifully.
This is truly one of the best Christmas Appetizers Easy Finger Foods you can make. It requires minimal effort and uses ingredients that are super easy to find during the holidays. It’s a fantastic recipe for beginners.
Plus, they are incredibly versatile. You can prepare parts of them ahead of time, which is a huge bonus for party planning. These are the kind of Holiday Finger Foods that disappear from the plate almost as soon as you set them down.
The festive colors make them a beautiful addition to any holiday spread. The deep red of the cranberry and the creamy white of the Brie look so pretty together. They are wonderful Finger Foods For Christmas Party events.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple items to create these amazing bites. Here is what you will need to grab from the store.
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts, from one 14.1 ounce box
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 12 ounces Brie cheese
- ¼ cup prepared cranberry sauce
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
The refrigerated pie crust is a fantastic shortcut. It saves you the trouble of making dough from scratch. It also provides a wonderfully flaky and buttery base for these little appetizers.
When it comes to Brie, you can leave the rind on or take it off. It is completely edible and adds a bit of texture. The choice is all yours. A good quality prepared cranberry sauce works well, making this a very Easy Christmas Party Food.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to see how simple these are to make? Let’s walk through it together. You’ll have these delicious Finger Foods For Christmas Party ready in no time.
Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Dough
First things first, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s warming up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent the crusts from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Next, unroll your refrigerated pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface. Using a 2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as you can. You should get about 42 circles in total.
Place the dough circles onto your prepared baking sheets. Don’t worry about them spreading too much, so you can place them fairly close together.
Step 2: Bake The Crusts
Now it’s time to get those crusts ready. Brush each dough circle with a little extra virgin olive oil. This will help them get golden brown and crispy in the oven. It adds a nice flavor too.
After brushing with oil, give them a light sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then, take a fork and poke each circle a few times. This step, called docking, helps prevent them from puffing up too much while baking.
Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for about 5 to 7 minutes. You are looking for them to be a beautiful golden brown color and just slightly puffed. Keep a close eye on them as they can brown quickly.
Step 3: Prepare The Toppings
While your little crusts are baking, you can get the toppings ready. This is where this Easy Christmas Party Food really comes together. Take your wheel of Brie cheese and slice it into small, 1 inch pieces.
You want a piece of Brie for each of your baked crusts. You can cut them into squares or small wedges, whatever you prefer. Have your cranberry sauce and fresh thyme sprigs ready to go as well.
Step 4: Assemble Your Appetizers
Once the pie crusts are out of the oven and have cooled for a minute, it’s time to assemble. This is the fun part. You can even get the kids involved here. It’s a great way to make some fun holiday memories.
Place a slice of Brie on top of each golden brown crust. The warmth from the crust will soften the cheese just a little bit, making it extra creamy and delicious. This is key for great Holiday Finger Foods.
Then, add a small spoonful of cranberry sauce on top of the Brie. Finally, sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves over the top of each one. And that’s it. Your beautiful Finger Foods For Christmas Party are ready to serve.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is simple. Let the bites cool completely to room temperature first. This is important to prevent them from getting soggy.
Place them in a single layer in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. The crusts will soften over time, so they are definitely best when enjoyed fresh.
To reheat, you can place them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for a few minutes until warmed through. This will help crisp up the crust again. I would avoid using a microwave, as it can make the crusts chewy.
Tips
Want to make these Finger Foods For Christmas Party even better? Here are a few extra tips and tricks to help you out. Small changes can make a big difference.
For a make ahead option, you can bake the pie crust circles a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When you are ready to serve, simply add the toppings and you’re good to go.
Feel free to get creative with the toppings. Instead of cranberry sauce, you could use fig jam or apricot preserves. Both pair wonderfully with Brie cheese. A drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze would also be a fantastic addition.
For some added crunch, sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts over the top before serving. It adds a lovely texture and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients. This is a great way to customize these Christmas Appetizers Easy Finger Foods.
When serving, arrange them on a festive platter. Garnish the platter with a few extra sprigs of fresh thyme or even some rosemary. A beautiful presentation makes any Easy Christmas Party Food feel more special.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly tasty recipe for Finger Foods For Christmas Party gatherings. These Brie and cranberry bites are sure to be a hit with everyone.
They prove that you do not need to spend a lot of time or effort to create impressive Holiday Finger Foods. With just a few ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have a delicious appetizer that looks as good as it tastes.
So this holiday season, spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones. Give these easy appetizers a try. I promise you, and your guests, will be so glad you did. Happy holidays.
FAQ
Can I Use Puff Pastry Instead Of Pie Crust?
Yes, you absolutely can use puff pastry. It will create a lighter, flakier base. Just be sure to follow the baking instructions on the puff pastry package, as the timing and temperature may be different.
What If I Can’t Find Fresh Thyme?
If you can’t find fresh thyme, you can use a tiny pinch of dried thyme instead. Fresh rosemary would also be a lovely substitute. Just use it sparingly as it has a strong flavor.
How Many Bites Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes approximately 42 individual bites. The exact number can vary slightly depending on the size of your cookie cutter and how efficiently you cut the dough.
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
Certainly. To make these gluten free, simply use your favorite brand of refrigerated or frozen gluten free pie crust. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free. It’s an easy swap for a great Finger Foods For Christmas Party option.
Brie and Cranberry Bites
These festive Brie and cranberry bites are simple yet elegant, perfect for holiday gatherings. Flaky pie crusts are topped with creamy Brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme, creating a delicious appetizer that’s quick to prepare.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out approximately 42 circles. Place the dough circles onto your prepared baking sheets.
- Brush each dough circle with extra virgin olive oil. Lightly sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Take a fork and poke each circle a few times to prevent puffing. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly puffed.
- While the crusts are baking, slice the 12 ounces of Brie cheese into small, 1-inch pieces, ensuring you have one piece for each baked crust. Have your prepared cranberry sauce and fresh thyme sprigs ready.
- Once the pie crusts are out of the oven and have cooled for about a minute, place a slice of Brie on top of each golden brown crust. Add a small spoonful of cranberry sauce, then sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves over the top of each appetizer. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a make ahead option, you can bake the pie crust circles a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When you are ready to serve, simply add the toppings and you’re good to go.
Feel free to get creative with the toppings. Instead of cranberry sauce, you could use fig jam or apricot preserves. Both pair wonderfully with Brie cheese. A drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze would also be a fantastic addition.
For some added crunch, sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts over the top before serving. It adds a lovely texture and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
When serving, arrange them on a festive platter. Garnish the platter with a few extra sprigs of fresh thyme or even some rosemary. A beautiful presentation makes any Easy Christmas Party Food feel more special.
Nutrition
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Sugar
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