When the holiday season rolls around, my mind immediately goes to food. All the wonderful, comforting, and festive food. But let’s be honest, hosting can get a little hectic. You have the main course to worry about, the side dishes, the desserts. It’s a lot! That’s where having a list of Thanksgiving appetizers easy to make becomes a lifesaver.
You want something that looks impressive and tastes delicious, but doesn’t take all day to prepare. These Cranberry Brie Bites are exactly that. They are one of my favorite thanksgiving appetizers because they hit all the right notes. They are warm, cheesy, a little sweet, a little tart, and have a lovely flaky crust. Plus, they are incredibly simple to put together.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor combination is just classic. Creamy, melted brie cheese paired with tangy cranberry sauce is a match made in heaven. The buttery crescent roll dough provides a wonderful texture that holds everything together. It’s a bite sized explosion of holiday flavor that everyone adores.
Another reason to love these is how fast they are. You can have a whole batch of these beautiful little bites ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish. This makes them ideal when you need quick Appetizers For Thanksgiving Dinner. No long hours spent in the kitchen for this one.
They are also so pretty to look at. With the vibrant red of the cranberry sauce and the golden brown pastry, they add a festive touch to any appetizer spread. Garnish with a tiny sprig of rosemary and they look like they came from a fancy caterer. Nobody has to know how easy they were.
Finally, they are fantastic Thanksgiving Appetizers Finger Foods. No forks or plates required. Guests can just grab one and mingle. This convenience is a huge plus during a busy party. It keeps things casual and fun for everyone involved.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these Thanksgiving appetizers easy bites is short and simple. You can find everything at your local grocery store, which is always a bonus during the busy holiday season. Here’s what you’ll need.
- 1 (8 ounce) tube crescent roll dough, or thawed puff pastry dough
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, for dusting your work surface
- 8 ounce wheel brie cheese
- ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
- Sprigs fresh rosemary, optional for garnish
A quick note on the dough. If you can find the crescent roll dough sheets without the perforations, grab them! It saves you the step of pressing the seams together. But regular crescent dough works just fine. Puff pastry is also a great option for a flakier, more buttery bite.
Step By Step Instructions
Making these little gems is so straightforward. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious appetizer ready in no time. Let’s get started on these tasty thanksgiving appetizers.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, grab a 24 count mini muffin pan. It’s important to spray the pan very well with cooking spray. You don’t want these little beauties sticking. Set the pan aside for now.
If you only have a 12 count regular muffin pan, that’s okay. You can still make these. Just know you’ll need to use more filling for each one and bake them a bit longer. Keep a close eye on them.
Step 2: Prepare The Dough
Lightly flour a clean work surface or a large cutting board. Unroll your crescent roll dough. If it has seams, gently press them together to form one solid sheet of dough. This creates a nice even base for your bites.
Using a sharp knife or a pizza wheel, cut the dough into 24 equal squares. A pizza wheel makes this job extra quick and easy. Try to make the squares as even as possible so your bites cook uniformly.
Step 3: Assemble The Brie Bites
Now for the fun part. Take one square of dough and gently press it into one of the mini muffin cups. Repeat this with all 24 pieces of dough. The dough should line the bottom and come up the sides a little bit.
Next, slice your wheel of brie into 24 small pieces. Place one piece of cheese into each crescent dough cup. Don’t worry about the rind, it’s completely edible and adds a nice texture.
Top each piece of brie with a small spoonful of whole berry cranberry sauce. About a teaspoon for each is plenty. You don’t want to overfill them. If you are using nuts, sprinkle a few chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cranberry sauce.
If you enjoy the flavor of baked rosemary, you can add a tiny piece to each bite now. If you prefer it just for looks, wait and garnish with it after baking. It’s all about your personal preference.
Step 4: Bake To Golden Brown
Place the muffin pan in your preheated oven. Bake for about 10 minutes. You’re looking for the dough to be puffed up and a lovely light golden brown color. Every oven is different, so start checking them at the 10 minute mark.
If you’re using puff pastry, it will likely need a little more time to bake through and get puffy. I would start checking it around 15 minutes. The goal is to have them cooked through but not burnt.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once they are done baking, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Let the brie bites cool in the pan for just a minute or two. This helps them set up a little bit. Then, gently remove them from the pan and arrange them on a serving platter. Serve them warm for the best experience.
How To Store Leftovers
Honestly, you probably won’t have any leftovers of these Thanksgiving Appetizers Easy bites. They tend to disappear quickly. But if you do, storing them is simple. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature first.
Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in the oven or a toaster oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes until warm. This will help the dough get crispy again.
This recipe is also a great candidate for Thanksgiving Appetizers Make Ahead. You can assemble the bites in the muffin pan, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. This can save you precious time on a busy cooking day.
Tips
- Don’t Skip Spraying the Pan: Melted brie and cranberry sauce can be sticky. A generous spray of cooking oil will ensure your bites pop right out without any trouble.
- Chill Your Dough: Especially if you are using puff pastry, make sure it stays chilled. Warm dough is harder to work with and won’t puff up as nicely in the oven.
- Get Creative with Toppings: While pecans and walnuts are great, you could also try pistachios or even a small sprinkle of orange zest for a different flavor profile. A tiny drizzle of honey after baking is also delicious.
- Use a Small Spoon: A small spoon or a teaspoon measure is helpful for portioning the cranberry sauce neatly into each cup. It helps prevent messes and ensures each bite has the right amount.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A wonderfully simple yet elegant appetizer that is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. These Cranberry Brie Bites truly are the definition of Thanksgiving Appetizers Easy. They require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor and visual appeal.
They are the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again, not just for Thanksgiving, but for any occasion that calls for a tasty bite. They are one of my favorite Appetizers For Thanksgiving Dinner for a reason. I hope you and your guests enjoy them as much as my family does. Happy hosting!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Cheese?
Yes, you can. While brie is a classic choice, a soft camembert would also work wonderfully. It has a similar creamy texture when melted. You could even try a soft goat cheese for a more tangy flavor profile. It’s a versatile recipe.
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
Absolutely. To make this recipe gluten free, simply substitute the crescent roll dough or puff pastry with a gluten free version. Many grocery stores now carry gluten free puff pastry in the freezer section. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free.
Can I Use Homemade Cranberry Sauce?
Of course. Using homemade cranberry sauce would be a fantastic addition. It would add an extra special touch to your thanksgiving appetizers. Just make sure it’s a whole berry sauce so you get those nice pieces of fruit in each bite.
Are These Good Appetizers For Thanksgiving Dinner?
They are one of the best Appetizers For Thanksgiving Dinner. They are easy to make, can be prepared ahead, and are wonderful Thanksgiving Appetizers Finger Foods. The flavors are festive and they won’t fill your guests up too much before the main meal.
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
These quick and festive Cranberry Brie Bites are a simple holiday appetizer. With creamy brie, tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent dough, they’re a warm and cheesy treat that’s ready in about 20 minutes.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously spray a 24-count mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
- On a floured surface, unroll crescent dough, press seams together, and cut into 24 equal squares.
- Press each dough square into a mini muffin cup.
- Cut the brie into 24 small pieces and place one in each cup.
- Top with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the dough is puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool for a minute in the pan before moving to a serving platter. Garnish and serve warm.
Notes
Don’t skip spraying the pan: Melted brie can be sticky, so a generous spray ensures your bites pop right out.
Chill your dough: Keep puff pastry or crescent dough chilled for easier handling and better puffing in the oven.
Creative toppings: Try pistachios, a sprinkle of orange zest, or a tiny drizzle of honey after baking for a different flavor.
Use a small spoon: A teaspoon is helpful for portioning the cranberry sauce neatly into each cup without making a mess.
Nutrition
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