The holiday season is officially upon us. You know what that means, right? Twinkling lights, festive music, and of course, lots and lots of food. It’s a wonderful time of year, but it can also get a little hectic. Finding the right recipes can be a challenge.
Especially when you need amazing Christmas Dinner Appetizers that look impressive but are secretly super easy to make. Well, you can stop looking. These cranberry brie bites are the perfect solution for all your holiday needs.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? These little bites are a flavor explosion. You get the creamy, melty brie cheese mixed with the sweet and tart cranberry sauce. All of that is wrapped in a flaky, buttery puff pastry cup. It is such a classic holiday combination.
The best part is how simple they are. We are talking about three main ingredients here. Three! This recipe is a lifesaver when you have a million other things to do. They are one of the most Simple Christmas Appetizers you can make.
They also look so elegant and festive on a platter. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen. No one has to know they took you just a few minutes to assemble. They are fantastic Christmas Appetizers Finger Foods.
These are truly great for any gathering. Whether you need Holiday Party Appetizers or a starter for the main event, they always fit in. They are bite sized, easy to eat, and a total crowd pleaser. I promise you, they will disappear fast.
Ingredients
As I mentioned, the ingredient list is beautifully short. This is one of my favorite Christmas Party Food Ideas because it proves you do not need a long list of items to create something special. Let’s take a look.
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 ounces brie cheese, chilled
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
A quick word on these items. Using store bought puff pastry is a huge time saver. Just be sure to thaw it according to the package directions. It usually needs a little time in the refrigerator or about 40 minutes on the counter.
For the brie, make sure it is nice and cold. Chilling the cheese makes it so much easier to cut into clean little pieces. You want it firm, not soft and gooey, when you are assembling these bites.
You can use either canned whole berry cranberry sauce or your favorite homemade version. Both work great. The jellied kind works too, but I find the whole berry sauce gives a nicer texture to these Christmas Dinner Appetizers.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to see how easy these are? Let’s walk through the process together. You’ll be a pro at making these Simple Christmas Appetizers in no time.
Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. While it is heating up, get your mini muffin tin ready. You will need a 24 cup tin for this recipe. Spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray. This is important to prevent the pastry from sticking.
Step 2: Cut The Puff Pastry
Next, it is time for the puff pastry. Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Gently unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet. Roll it out into a rectangle that is roughly 10 by 15 inches. Then, cut the dough into 24 squares. Each square should be about 2 and a half inches. A pizza wheel or a sharp knife works well for this.
Step 3: Assemble The Bites
Now for the fun part. Gently press one pastry square into each cup of the prepared muffin tin. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Place one piece of your chilled brie into each pastry cup. Then, top each one with about two teaspoons of cranberry sauce. Cover the whole tin with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. This quick chill helps the pastry get extra puffy.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap. Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven. Bake for about 16 to 18 minutes. You are looking for the pastry to be a beautiful golden brown color and the cheese to be all melty and bubbly. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Step 5: Cool And Serve
This might be the hardest step because you will want to eat them right away. Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes. This helps them set up a little, making them easier to remove. After they have cooled slightly, carefully take them out and arrange them on a serving platter. They are wonderful served warm.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare, storing them is simple. First, let the bites cool completely to room temperature. This prevents them from getting soggy when you store them.
Place them in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. The puff pastry will soften a bit, but they will still be delicious.
When you are ready to enjoy them again, I recommend reheating them in the oven or an air fryer. A few minutes at 350 degrees F will bring back some of that wonderful crispiness. I would avoid the microwave, as it can make the pastry chewy.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make your Holiday Party Appetizers a smashing success. These small things can make a big difference.
Always work with cold puff pastry and cold brie. It makes the dough easier to handle and the cheese easier to cut. If your kitchen is warm, you can pop the pastry back in the fridge for a few minutes if it gets too soft.
Feel free to get creative with the toppings. A small pecan half or a sprinkle of chopped walnuts on top before baking adds a nice crunch. A tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish after baking adds a lovely festive touch.
You can also swap the cranberry sauce for other jams. Fig jam, raspberry preserves, or even a spicy pepper jelly would be amazing with the creamy brie. This is a great way to customize these Christmas Party Food Ideas.
To save time on party day, you can assemble these bites ahead of time. Just follow the instructions up to the point of baking. Cover the muffin tin tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When your guests arrive, just pop them in the oven.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly tasty recipe for Christmas Dinner Appetizers. These cranberry brie bites prove that you do not need to spend all day in the kitchen to make something special for the holidays.
With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create wonderful Christmas Appetizers Finger Foods that everyone will love. They are the perfect way to kick off a festive meal or to serve at a casual holiday gathering.
I really hope you give this recipe a try. It has become a staple in my own holiday traditions, and I am sure it will be a hit in yours too. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of the best things about this recipe. You can assemble the bites in the mini muffin tin, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This is a fantastic time saver for party prep.
What If I Don’t Have A Mini Muffin Tin?
No problem. You can use a standard size muffin tin. You will need to cut the puff pastry squares larger, probably around 4 inches. The baking time might need to be increased by a few minutes. Just keep an eye on them. You can also bake them flat on a parchment lined baking sheet, like little tarts.
Can I Use A Different Cheese?
Brie is classic, but you could definitely experiment. Camembert would be a very similar and delicious substitute. Goat cheese would also be tasty, offering a tangier flavor. Even small cubes of cream cheese would work for a different, though equally creamy, experience.
Can I Use Homemade Cranberry Sauce?
Yes, homemade cranberry sauce would be wonderful. It adds a personal touch to these Christmas Dinner Appetizers. Just make sure your sauce is not too thin or watery, as this could make the puff pastry soggy. A thicker, jam like consistency is best.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Creamy, melty brie cheese with sweet and tart cranberry sauce, all wrapped in a flaky, buttery puff pastry cup. These elegant finger foods are simple to assemble and a total crowd-pleaser for any holiday gathering.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold thawed puff pastry sheet and roll into a 10×15-inch rectangle. Cut into 24 squares, about 2.5 inches each, using a pizza wheel or sharp knife.
- Gently press one pastry square into each mini muffin cup. Place one piece of chilled brie into each cup, then top with about two teaspoons of cranberry sauce.
- Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove plastic wrap. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Let cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes before removing and arrange them on a serving platter. They are wonderful served warm.
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 get creative with the toppings. A small pecan half or a sprinkle of chopped walnuts on top before baking adds a nice crunch. A tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish after baking adds a lovely festive touch.
You can also swap the cranberry sauce for other jams. Fig jam, raspberry preserves, or even a spicy pepper jelly would be amazing with the creamy brie. This is a great way to customize these Christmas Party Food Ideas.
To save time on party day, you can assemble these bites ahead of time. Just follow the instructions up to the point of baking. Cover the muffin tin tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When your guests arrive, just pop them in the oven.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
