The holiday season is a whirlwind, isn’t it? There are decorations to hang, gifts to wrap, and a calendar full of festive gatherings. In the midst of all that beautiful chaos, you need recipes that are simple, impressive, and don’t keep you stuck in the kitchen. That’s where these incredible cranberry brie bites come in. They are truly the definition of Christmas appetizers easy.
These little bites are packed with flavor. You get the creamy, melty brie, the sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, and the buttery, flaky puff pastry. They look so elegant on a platter, but honestly, they take almost no effort to assemble. They are one of my favorite holiday party appetizers for a reason!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor combination is just classic. Creamy cheese, tart fruit, and a buttery crust. It’s a trio that sings of holiday cheer. Every single bite is a little celebration in your mouth. This is what makes them such popular Christmas appetizers finger foods.
Another huge plus is how simple they are. You are working with just a few core ingredients. There is no complicated technique here. If you can press dough into a muffin tin and use a spoon, you can make these. It’s a wonderful recipe for beginners.
They also look so festive! The golden pastry, the deep red of the cranberry, and the little green sprig of rosemary on top. It’s like a tiny, edible Christmas wreath. Your guests will think you spent hours crafting them.
And let’s talk about convenience. These are fantastic make ahead holiday appetizers easy. You can fully assemble them a few days in advance and keep them in the fridge. When your guests arrive, you just pop them in the oven. It doesn’t get much simpler than that for holiday entertaining.
This recipe is also incredibly forgiving. Your squares of puff pastry don’t have to be exact. The pieces of brie can be a little rustic. It all comes together beautifully in the end. This is what makes them such reliable Christmas appetizers easy.
They are also budget friendly. Puff pastry and brie can feel a little fancy, but you don’t need a lot of either to make a big batch. This recipe makes 48 bites, which is plenty for a crowd. It’s a great way to serve something special without a hefty price tag.
Finally, they are just so satisfying. That warm, gooey cheese pull when you take a bite is everything. They are comforting and delicious, the kind of food that makes people happy. That’s the whole point of holiday gatherings, right? Sharing good food and making people smile. These Christmas appetizers easy do just that.
Ingredients
One of the best things about these Christmas appetizers easy is the short and simple ingredient list. You don’t need anything too wild or hard to find. Here is what you will need to gather.
- 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
- ½ cup finely chopped raw pecans
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, cut into small pieces for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make the best holiday party appetizers ever? Let’s walk through it step by step. It’s so straightforward, you’ll have these ready in no time.
Step 1: Prep The Oven And Muffin Tins
First things first, get your oven ready. You want to position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Then preheat it to 375 degrees F. A hot oven is key for getting that beautiful puff in the pastry.
While the oven heats up, put your wheel of Brie in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This little trick makes it so much easier to cut into clean cubes. Trust me on this one.
Next, grab your mini muffin pans. This recipe makes 48 bites, so you’ll need two 24 cup pans, or you can work in batches. Coat the pans very generously with nonstick spray. Don’t be shy here. This will save you a lot of scrubbing later.
Step 2: Prepare The Puff Pastry
Take one sheet of your thawed puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured surface. Keep the second sheet in the fridge until you are ready for it. Cold pastry is happy pastry.
Gently roll it out into a rectangle, about 10 by 14 inches. Then, cut the sheet lengthwise into four even strips. After that, cut it crosswise into six even strips. You should end up with 24 little squares.
Gently press each square into one of the mini muffin cups. You want to create a little cup shape. Then, use a fork to prick the bottom of each pastry cup a couple of times. This helps prevent the bottom from puffing up too much.
Step 3: Assemble The Brie Bites
Now for the fun part of making these Christmas appetizers finger foods. Take your chilled Brie out of the freezer. Cut the wheel in half and put one half back in the freezer for the next batch.
Dice the remaining Brie half into 24 small pieces. They should be around a half inch to three quarters of an inch. Place one little cube of brie into the center of each puff pastry cup.
Top each piece of brie with about a teaspoon of your cranberry sauce. Sprinkle everything with half a teaspoon of the flaky sea salt, and then half of your chopped pecans.
Once the first pan is done, place it in the refrigerator. Now repeat the whole process with the second sheet of puff pastry and the other half of the brie. Creating these Christmas appetizers easy is all about this simple assembly line.
Step 4: Bake To Golden Brown
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 during baking. It makes cleanup so much easier.
Bake the pans on the upper and lower racks for 18 to 20 minutes. You are looking for the pastry to be puffed up and a beautiful golden brown color at the corners. Halfway through the baking time, remember to switch the pans’ positions so they cook evenly.
Once they are done, let them cool in the pans for about three minutes. If any of the brie or cranberry has oozed out, just use a fork to gently nudge it back into the center of the bite. No one will ever know!
Step 5: Garnish And Serve
Carefully transfer the bites to your serving platter. I find that a fork works really well to gently lift them out of the muffin tin. Garnish each little bite with a small piece of fresh rosemary. The green adds a lovely pop of color and a hint of festive aroma.
You can enjoy these delicious Christmas appetizers easy either hot from the oven or at room temperature. They are tasty either way, which makes them great for parties.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers of these tasty holiday appetizers easy, storing them is a breeze. Let them cool completely first. Then you can place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat them, just place the bites back in a mini muffin tin. Bake them at 350 degrees F until they are warmed through. You can also just serve the leftovers at room temperature. They are still delicious!
These also freeze beautifully. Bake the brie bites as directed and let them cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer until they are solid. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer safe container or bag for up to two months. Reheat them straight from the freezer in a 350 degree F oven until hot.
Tips
Want to make your experience with these Christmas appetizers easy even smoother? Here are a few extra tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Do not skip freezing the brie. I know it seems like an extra step, but it really makes a difference. Cold brie is firm and cuts into neat little cubes. Room temperature brie can be a bit of a sticky mess to work with.
When it comes to puff pastry, quality matters. Using a good all butter puff pastry will give you the best flavor and the flakiest layers. It’s a key component, so it’s worth getting a good brand you trust.
Feel free to customize these! While cranberry is a classic holiday flavor, you could easily swap it for fig jam or apricot preserves. Instead of pecans, you could use chopped walnuts or even sliced almonds. A little bit of thyme would also be a lovely garnish instead of rosemary.
I can’t stress this enough: be very generous with the nonstick spray. The melted brie and sugary cranberry sauce can become very sticky when baked. A well greased pan is your best friend for easy removal and quick cleanup.
Embrace the make ahead option. Assembling these bites unbaked and storing them in the fridge is a great way to manage your time during the busy holiday season. This makes them some of the best holiday party appetizers for a stress free host.
Finally, watch them closely in the oven. All ovens are a little different. Start checking them around the 18 minute mark. You want them to be a deep golden brown, not pale. The color means flavor!
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, elegant, and incredibly tasty recipe for your next holiday gathering. These cranberry brie bites are proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create amazing food. They are the essence of what Christmas appetizers easy should be.
They are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. They have become a staple at my holiday parties, and I have a feeling they will at yours too. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Cheese?
Yes, you can. Camembert would be a great substitute as it has a similar creamy texture. However, the mild, buttery flavor of brie is really wonderful in this recipe. I’d recommend trying it with brie first!
What If I Do Not Have A Mini Muffin Pan?
You could try using a regular sized muffin pan. You would need to cut the puff pastry into larger squares and use larger pieces of brie. The baking time would also likely need to be increased by a few minutes. They will be more of a two bite appetizer, but still delicious.
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
Absolutely. The only ingredient containing gluten here is the puff pastry. You can find some good quality gluten free puff pastry in the freezer section of many grocery stores these days. Just follow the package instructions for thawing and handling.
Are These Good At Room Temperature?
They are fantastic at room temperature! This is what makes them such great Christmas appetizers finger foods for a party. You don’t have to worry about keeping them warm. They are just as tasty after they have cooled down a bit.
My Puff Pastry Did Not Puff Up, What Happened?
There could be a couple of reasons. It’s really important that the puff pastry stays cold while you work with it. If it gets too warm, the butter layers can melt together, preventing it from puffing. Another reason could be that your oven wasn’t fully preheated. A hot oven is necessary to create the steam that makes the layers rise.
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
These easy Cranberry Brie Bites are a festive holiday appetizer. Featuring creamy melted brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and flaky puff pastry, they are simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat to 375°F. Place the wheel of Brie in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easier to cut. Generously coat two 24-cup mini muffin pans with nonstick spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out one sheet of puff pastry to a 10×14 inch rectangle. Cut into 24 squares (4 strips lengthwise, 6 strips crosswise).
- Press each pastry square into a mini muffin cup. Prick the bottom of each pastry cup a few times with a fork.
- Dice the chilled Brie into 48 small pieces (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch). Place one piece of brie into each puff pastry cup.
- Top each piece of brie with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chopped pecans.
- Repeat the process with the second sheet of puff pastry and remaining ingredients.
- Bake on the upper and lower racks for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Switch the pans’ positions halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Let the bites cool in the pans for about 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a serving platter. Garnish each bite with a small piece of fresh rosemary and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For easier cutting, place the brie in the freezer for about 15 minutes before dicing. This helps it hold its shape.
Be generous when coating the mini muffin tin with nonstick spray to prevent the cheese and cranberry from sticking.
Feel free to customize with fig jam instead of cranberry sauce, or use chopped walnuts instead of pecans.
Nutrition (per bite)
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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