The holiday season is such a wonderful time of year, isn’t it? It is full of twinkling lights, festive music, and gatherings with loved ones. But let’s be honest, hosting can feel a little overwhelming. You want to create amazing food without spending the entire day in the kitchen. If you are looking for simple yet impressive Christmas Appetizer Ideas, you have come to the right place.
Let me introduce you to these beautiful Cranberry Brie Bites. They look so elegant, but they are surprisingly simple to make. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these that will disappear from the serving tray in minutes. They are the perfect little bite of holiday cheer.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor combination is just classic. You have the rich, creamy Brie cheese melting into the flaky, buttery puff pastry. Then, a little dollop of tart cranberry sauce cuts through the richness beautifully. A sprinkle of crunchy pecans and a hint of fresh rosemary on top ties it all together. It is a little symphony of textures and tastes in every single bite.
Another reason to love this recipe is how incredibly easy it is. We use frozen puff pastry, which is a fantastic shortcut. No need to make dough from scratch. This makes it one of the best Holiday Appetizers Easy recipes you can find. It is an ideal choice when you need impressive Christmas Party Food Ideas without the stress.
Plus, they are just so pretty. They look like you spent hours crafting them, with their golden brown pastry cups and vibrant toppings. They are perfect Christmas Appetizers Finger Foods, easy for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling. Seriously, these little bites are a host’s best friend during the busy holiday season.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather for these amazing little bites. The list is short and sweet, which is always a bonus during the holidays.
- 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
- 8 ounces Brie cheese
- 1 cup Homemade Cranberry Sauce or whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as Maldon or fleur de sel
- ½ cup finely chopped raw pecans
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, cut into small pieces for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some magic? Follow these simple steps. I will walk you through everything, making it super clear and easy. This is one of those Christmas Appetizer Ideas that is fun to assemble.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First things first, let’s get the oven and pans prepped. Position your oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Then preheat it to 375 degrees F. While the oven heats up, pop the wheel of Brie in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This little trick makes it much easier to cut into neat pieces.
Next, grab two 24 cup mini muffin pans. If you only have one pan, no worries. You can just bake these in batches. Be sure to very generously coat the pans with non stick spray. This is important to prevent the cheese and pastry from sticking later on.
Step 2: Prepare The Puff Pastry
Take one sheet of your thawed puff pastry and unroll it on a lightly floured surface. Keep the second sheet in the fridge until you are ready for it, as puff pastry is best when it stays cold. Roll the pastry out into a rectangle that is about 10 by 14 inches.
Now it is time to cut. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the sheet lengthwise into four even strips. Then, cut it crosswise into six even strips. This will give you 24 little squares. Gently press each square into a mini muffin cup. You want to form a small cup shape with the pastry. Use a fork to poke the bottom of each pastry cup a couple of times. This helps prevent them from puffing up too much on the bottom.
Step 3: Assemble The Bites
Retrieve your chilled Brie from the freezer. Cut it in half and put one half back in the freezer to stay firm. Dice the remaining Brie into 24 small pieces. They should be roughly between one half and three quarters of an inch on each side. Place one piece of Brie into each puff pastry cup.
Next, top each piece of Brie with about one teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle everything with half a teaspoon of the flaky sea salt and half of your chopped pecans. Now, put this pan in the refrigerator while you repeat the whole process with the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining ingredients.
Step 4: Bake To Golden Perfection
Once both pans are assembled, it is time to bake. Place each muffin pan on a larger rimmed baking sheet. This is a great tip to catch any cheese or cranberry sauce that might bubble over, saving you from a messy oven. Place one pan on the upper rack and one on the lower rack.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. You will know they are done when the pastry is puffed up and the corners are a beautiful golden brown. Halfway through the baking time, remember to switch the pans’ positions. Move the top one to the bottom and the bottom one to the top. This ensures they both cook evenly.
Step 5: Garnish And Serve
Let the bites cool in the pans for about three minutes. If any cheese or cranberry bubbled out, you can gently use a fork to push it back into the center. No one will ever know. They are great Christmas Appetizers Finger Foods, after all.
Carefully transfer the bites to a serving platter. A fork works well for lifting them out of the pan. Garnish each little bite with a small piece of fresh rosemary for that festive touch. You can serve them hot right away or at room temperature. They are delicious either way and a star among Christmas Appetizer Ideas.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare, storing them is simple. Just place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, you can place them back in a mini muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F until they are warmed through. You can also serve the leftovers at room temperature.
These bites are also fantastic to prepare in advance, making them one of my favorite Holiday Appetizers Easy to manage. You can fully assemble the unbaked bites in the muffin pan and refrigerate them for up to three days before baking. You can also bake them completely, let them cool, and then freeze them for up to two months. To freeze, arrange the cooled bites on a baking sheet until they are solid, then transfer them to a freezer safe container or bag. Reheat them straight from the freezer in a 350 degree F oven until hot.
Tips
Want to switch things up? You can absolutely use a different type of jam. Fig jam or apricot preserves would be wonderful with the Brie. If you are not a fan of pecans, try using finely chopped walnuts or even pistachios for a pop of color. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your favorite combination.
If you do not have a mini muffin pan, you can use a regular sized one. Just cut your puff pastry into larger squares, maybe 12 per sheet instead of 24. You will need to adjust the baking time, so keep an eye on them. They will be larger, but just as tasty. This flexibility is what makes this one of the top Christmas Party Food Ideas.
One more thing. Make sure your puff pastry is thawed but still very cold when you work with it. If it gets too warm, it can become sticky and difficult to handle. If you feel it getting soft, just pop it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious appetizer that is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. These Cranberry Brie Bites are proof that you do not need complicated recipes to create memorable food. They truly are one of the best Christmas Appetizer Ideas out there.
I hope you give this recipe a try this holiday season. It is a wonderful way to bring a little extra warmth and flavor to your celebrations. Enjoy the process, and more importantly, enjoy sharing these tasty treats with your friends and family. Happy holidays!
FAQ
Can I Make These Bites Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. You can assemble them in the muffin pan and refrigerate unbaked for up to three days. Or, you can fully bake and freeze them for up to two months. This makes them amazing Xmas Appetizers for easy party prep.
What Can I Use Instead Of Pecans?
Finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios would be excellent alternatives. You can also leave the nuts out entirely if you have an allergy concern. They will still be very tasty.
Do I Have To Use Brie Cheese?
Brie is wonderful because it melts so beautifully, but Camembert would work just as well. It has a similar creamy texture. For a milder flavor, you could even try small cubes of cream cheese.
My Puff Pastry Got Too Soft. What Should I Do?
If your puff pastry becomes warm and sticky, just place it back in the refrigerator on a baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold puff pastry is much easier to work with and results in a flakier, more puffed final product.
Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
This easy, creamy chocolate protein ice cream, made in the Ninja Creami, is a satisfying dessert or healthy snack. Rich in flavor and simple to prepare.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a Ninja Creami pint, combine the protein shake, protein powder, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt. Add optional guar gum or pudding mix for extra creaminess.
- Mix with a frother or whisk until the base is completely smooth with no clumps.
- Secure the lid and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours until solid.
- Place the frozen pint into the machine and process using the ‘Lite Ice Cream’ setting.
- If the texture is crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk or shake and use the ‘Re-Spin’ function.
- If desired, create a well in the center, add mix-ins, and use the ‘Mix-In’ function to combine. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Taste the base before freezing and adjust sweetener if needed. Frozen desserts tastes less sweet, so aim for slightly sweeter than you prefer.
Do not fill the pint past the max fill line, as the mixture will expand during freezing and processing.
A full 24-hour freeze is essential for the best, creamiest texture. Rushing this step can result in an icy or soupy consistency.
Feel free to experiment with other flavors like vanilla protein with frozen berries or adding mint extract for a mint-chip version.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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