Description
Cranberry Brie Bites are a delightful appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry cups filled with creamy brie cheese and topped with tangy cranberry sauce and optional crunchy nuts. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bite-sized treats offer a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- Spray cooking oil (to grease muffin tin)
Filling:
- 8 ounces brie cheese
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- Optional: 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Brie: Place the brie cheese, still in its wrapper, in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it up and make slicing easier later. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and spray a muffin tin generously with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Cut the Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface or cutting board, gently roll out the first sheet of thawed puff pastry slightly. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the sheet into 12 equal squares. Repeat this process with the second sheet to yield a total of 24 squares. Place each square gently into the prepared muffin tin cups.
- Slice the Brie: Remove the brie from the freezer and unwrap it. Cut the brie into 24 equal pieces by first dividing into quarters, then cutting each quarter into 6 smaller pieces. These will fit perfectly into each puff pastry cup.
- Assemble the Bites: Place one slice of brie into each puff pastry cup, making sure the cheese rests neatly on the dough.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon about one teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of each piece of brie, adding a tangy sweetness to complement the creamy cheese.
- Add Nuts (Optional): If using, sprinkle a small pinch of finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) over the cranberry sauce for extra texture and flavor complexity.
- Bake the Bites: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the brie has melted beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the cranberry brie bites rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully loosen the edges of each bite with a butter knife, then gently lift them out. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm, enjoying their perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Freezing the brie briefly before slicing makes it much easier to cut into uniform pieces without sticking.
- You can prepare these bites ahead of time by assembling them and refrigerating for up to 4 hours before baking.
- Try substituting the cranberry sauce with fig jam or apricot preserves for a different sweet twist.
- Use a nonstick or silicone muffin pan to make removal easier if you don’t have cooking spray on hand.
- If you prefer a nuttier bite, toast the chopped nuts lightly before sprinkling on top.
- Serve with a light white wine or sparkling cider to complement the flavors.
