• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Auntie's Favorites
  • Holidays
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Subscribe

Crinkled Cookbook logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Fall
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Fall
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • Baked biscuits on a plate with a bowl of butter and jar of jam.
      Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits
    • Honey butter in a small jar on a table with a napkin and spoon on the side.
      Easy Homemade Honey Butter
    • A large spoon scooping up a serving of twice baked potatoes from a baking dish.
      Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
    • A bowl of green bean salad with a serving spoon, a napkin on the side and peppers near the bowl.
      Cold Green Bean Salad
    • A collage of photos from the Barbie-Inspired recipe roundup.
      25 Barbie-Inspired Recipes
    • A plate with a portion of blueberry oatmeal in the center with milk and syrup in a glass and small pitcher on the side.
      Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
    • A baking dish with a cooked meatloaf, sliced with a spatula lifting out one serving.
      No Ketchup Meatloaf
    • A large spoon dishing up a serving a chicken spaghetti from a baking dish.
      Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta
    • A serving of chicken curry with grapes, held over a plate.
      Chicken Curry Salad with Grapes
    • A pot of cooked Mexican fried rice, with a large spoon dishing up a serving of the rice.
      Easy Mexican Fried Rice (Restaurant Style)
    • A spoonful of clam chowder, held over a bowl of chowder.
      Crockpot Clam Chowder
    • A small bowl with dip, chips on the side and a spoon scooping up a serving of dip.
      Simple Artichoke Dip
    Home » Recipes » Appetizer

    Jul 18, 2020 · Modified: Jan 3, 2022 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income via ads.

    Cranberry Brie Bites

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cranberry Brie Bites are an impressive appetizer with vibrant colors and the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand during the holiday season so you can prepare these in a snap.

    Close up shot of a cranberry brie appetizer
    Look at that flaky crust! These are the perfect-sized portions to pop in your mouth.

    Ingredients to have on hand

    • frozen puff pastry
    • 7 ounce wedge of brie cheese
    • whole berry cranberry sauce
    • shallot
    • fresh basil and thyme
    Brie and pastry dough in a mini muffin pan
    Brie cheese is distinctive and creamy. But it's the white rind from the cheese that adds the subtle and distinctive flavor to this appetizer.

    Top Tips and FAQ

    Should I cut the rind off the brie cheese before baking?

    That's an option, but personally I think the rind adds flavor and even a little texture to these bites.

    The rind on brie is totally edible and after baking the flavor of the rind is even more subtle than when we enjoy brie cold from the refrigerator.

    Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?

    Yes, in a pinch. But the fresh basil adds a bright burst of color and fresh flavor to the baked cranberry brie bites. If at all possible use fresh basil. As a substitute, use 1 teaspoon of dried basil.

    Soften the Shallots

    Diced shallots cooking in olive oil in a pan.
    Shallots provide a dose of delicious savory flavor which blends beautifully with the cranberry sauce and the sweetness from the basil.

    Cook the shallots until they are soft and starting to caramelize. By the time they've simmered with the cranberry sauce in the pan, they'll cook down to create the most delicious savory flavor in each and every cranberry brie bite.

    One leaf of basil in cranberry sauce.
    One little leaf of basil is all you need, just let it simmer in the cranberry sauce until it nearly dissolves.

    Simmer the Cranberry Sauce

    Simmering the sauce on the stove is an important step to creating a thick cranberry sauce that's bursting with flavor. As the moisture from the cranberries lifts away, the flavor brightens and intensifies.

    Cranberry brie bites with basil on top, spread out on a dish
    While the flavor for Cranberry Brie Bites is what you'll love most, the bright color of the appetizer will also impress your guests.

    Not Just for the Holidays

    We often think of cranberries as something to serve during the holidays, but this appetizer is delicious any time of year.

    Cranberry Brie Bites are a treat that spans the seasons and is a perfect starter before serving roast, chicken, ribs, just about anything.

    Close up shot of a cranberry brie appetizer
    Look at that flaky crust! This are the perfect size portions to just pop in your mouth.

    More Holiday Favorites

    Looking for more ideas? Here are some of my favorite holiday recipes: Pork Wonton Stars, Fancy Rice Krispie Treats, and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese are all big hits at any size holiday gathering.

    Keep Me Updated

    Be sure to give a star rating to the recipes you make from the Crinkled Cookbook. I always love hearing from you. Sharing is great too! Use the buttons after the recipe to text it with just one click or send it to family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Enjoy.

    Recipe

    Close up shot of a cranberry brie appetizer

    Cranberry Brie Bites

    An impressive appetizer with vibrant colors and the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand during the holiday season so you can prepare these in a snap.
    5 from 90 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Defrosting Time for Puff Pastry: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 as an appetizer
    Calories: 342kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 1 17.3 ounce package frozen puff pastry sheets
    • 1, 7 ounce wedge of brie cheese
    • 1, 14 ounce can whole berry cranberry sauce
    • 1 whole shallot peeled and diced fine, about ¼ cup
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small package fresh basil
    • 1 sprig of fresh thyme for garnish

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°
    • Remove one puff pastry from the box (save the other one for the next time you make this) and defrost the pastry, it takes about 40 minutes. While pastry is warming up, toss diced shallots in olive oil in a small saucepan and cook until softened. Add the can of whole berry cranberry sauce and one whole leaf of basil to the shallots and stir until thickened. Salt and pepper as desired. Continue simmering on medium heat and stir occasionally until the cranberry sauce thickens and the basil leaf has softened. (If the basil doesn't melt into the sauce while simmering then just remove whatever remains of the leaf before the next step.) Slice the remaining basil from the package and set aside.
    • Once pastry is thawed, cut dough into 2 inch squares and press one square into each mini muffin cup - you'll have just enough dough for a standard 24 cup baking pan.
    • Dice small wedges of brie and place cheese into each pastry-lined muffin cup.
    • Place in the oven and bake for about 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and dollop a teaspoon of the cranberry sauce on each puffed pastry and top with a slice of fresh basil.
    • Serve with a sprig of thyme on the side and enjoy the accolades!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 342kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 7gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 112IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database and are offered here only as a guideline for informational purposes.

    Tried this recipe? Or pin for later.Mention @crinkledcookbook or tag #crinkledcookbook

    More Easy & Delicious Appetizer Recipes

    • A hand holding grown-up pigs in blanket.
      Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
    • 15 Appetizers for Cold Weather Entertaining
    • Cauliflower Hummus in a bowl with chips scattered on the table
      Everything Bagel Cauliflower Hummus
    • mini cheesesteak bite on a stack of tasting plates.
      Philly Cheesesteak Bites

    Looking for something?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Luca says

      September 16, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      The brie and cranberry really work great together!

      Reply
    2. Amanda Scarlati says

      September 16, 2021 at 8:19 am

      5 stars
      These are the perfect simple appetizer! Saving for the upcoming holidays!

      Reply
    3. Priya Maha says

      September 16, 2021 at 7:35 am

      5 stars
      Made these for a family get-together and they were a huge hit! Thank you for the wonderful recipe

      Reply
    4. Alexandra says

      September 16, 2021 at 7:13 am

      5 stars
      These are so perfect for entertaining and absolutely delicious.

      Reply
    5. Kayla DiMaggio says

      September 16, 2021 at 6:32 am

      5 stars
      These cranberry brie bites are the perfect appetizer! So delicious and easy and a total hit!

      Reply
    6. Jeri says

      September 15, 2021 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      I am saving this recipe for Christmas! It looks absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    7. Addie says

      September 15, 2021 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect little bite!

      Reply
    8. Megan Ellam says

      September 15, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favourite bites for a dinner party and especially around Christmas. Deliciously simple and popular!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Melinda with corndogs

    Hello there, my friends! It's so great to have you here. My name is Melinda and I absolutely love home cooking. I've been creating delicious recipes for my family for over 30 years. Fun fact about me, I used to work as a TV journalist. Stick around, explore the Crinkled Cookbook, and make great meals at home!

    Meet Melinda→

    Fall Favorites

    • A baking dish of butternut squash mac anc cheese with a large serving spoon.
      Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    • Honey butter in a small jar on a table with a napkin and spoon on the side.
      Easy Homemade Honey Butter
    • Baked biscuits on a plate with a bowl of butter and jar of jam.
      Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits
    • A large spoon scooping up a serving of twice baked potatoes from a baking dish.
      Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
    • A baking dish with a cooked meatloaf, sliced with a spatula lifting out one serving.
      No Ketchup Meatloaf
    • A spoonful of clam chowder, held over a bowl of chowder.
      Crockpot Clam Chowder
    • A slice of sweet potato lasagna on a plate with a glass of ice water on the side.
      The Best Sweet Potato Lasagna
    • Sweet corn salad on a plate with corn on the cob in the background.
      Sweet Corn Pasta Salad
    Logos from websites that feature the Crinkled Cookbook.

    Most Popular

    • Banana bread sliced into wedges with raspberries in the background.
      Crockpot Banana Bread
    • A baking dish of butternut squash mac anc cheese with a large serving spoon.
      Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    • Blue cheese crumbles on top of blended ingredients.
      Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
    • Baked biscuits on a plate with a bowl of butter and jar of jam.
      Four Ingredient Basic Biscuits

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Meet Melinda

    Contact

    • Sign up for emails and recipes!
    • Contact

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy & Terms
    • Comment Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2019 - 2023 Crinkled Cookbook LLC

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest