Name: Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup fresh orange juice; 1 tsp orange zest; ⅓ cup water; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp vanilla extract; ⅛ tsp salt; 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed); 1 small wheel brie cheese (about 8 oz), cut into small cubes; 1 cup homemade cranberry sauce; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash); 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts; fresh rosemary sprigs (to garnish)

There’s nothing quite like the perfect balance of flaky pastry, creamy brie, and bright cranberry to get everyone buzzing at a gathering. This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe packs all those flavors into one bite-sized treat that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. Trust me, once you taste that golden, buttery crust with the melty cheese and tangy cranberry, you’ll be hooked.

The image shows seven small puff pastry tarts arranged on a round white marbled platter. Each tart has a golden-brown, flaky pastry base with edges folded up to hold chunky dark red cranberry sauce in the center. On top of the sauce, there are small pieces of light brown walnuts and a sprig of fresh green rosemary for garnish. In the background, there is a white basket filled with bright red cranberries and a partial view of a baguette on the left side. The surface beneath the platter is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe because it’s the ultimate holiday or party pleaser that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. It’s got that wow factor and yet feels approachable whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie.

Easy yet impressive: You don’t need fancy skills to pull these off, but your guests will think you do.
Perfect flavor combo: The tartness of cranberries pairs beautifully with creamy brie and buttery puff pastry.
Quick to make: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 35 minutes—great for last-minute entertaining.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the recipe to add your favorite nuts, herbs, or even swap the cheese.

The image shows a small tart with a golden brown, crispy pastry shell forming the base and sides. Inside the shell, there is a layer of bright red jam or jelly, topped with small pieces of toasted walnuts that add texture. On top of the walnuts, a small sprig of fresh green rosemary is placed for decoration. The tart sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and elegant look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe plays a beautiful role in creating those irresistible flavors and textures. Using fresh or frozen cranberries keeps things vibrant, while the puff pastry gives you that flaky crust without fuss. Here’s what you need and why it’s essential.

Flat lay of fresh whole cranberries, a small heap of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of bright orange juice, thin strips of fresh orange zest, a small white bowl of clear water, a small pile of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a pinch of salt crystals, a square sheet of thawed puff pastry with a slightly flaky texture, small cubes of creamy brie cheese, a small white bowl of deep red homemade cranberry sauce, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of water for egg wash, a small pile of chopped walnuts, and a few fresh rosemary sprigs arranged symmetrically on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, they bring that signature tartness and pop of color that brighten the bites.
Granulated sugar: Balances the tart cranberries with just the right amount of sweetness.
Fresh orange juice & zest: Adds a bright citrusy note that complements the cranberries perfectly.
Ground cinnamon: Provides warm spice, giving the cranberry sauce a cozy holiday feel.
Vanilla extract: A subtle layer of sweetness that rounds the flavors beautifully.
Puff pastry sheet: The buttery, flaky foundation that makes every bite delightful and easy to handle.
Brie cheese: Creamy, soft, and melty, it’s the luxurious heart of each bite.
Egg (for egg wash): Creates that gorgeous golden crust on the pastry.
Chopped walnuts: Adds a crunchy texture contrast, plus a nutty aroma.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: Fresh herb garnish that adds a fragrant, earthy note—optional but lovely.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is how much room there is for your own spin. I often swap walnuts for pecans or add a drizzle of honey on top just before serving. Feel free to get creative and make these bites truly yours!

Variation: For a savory twist, I’ve tried adding a thin slice of prosciutto under the brie before baking — the saltiness takes it to another level.
Diet-friendly: You can swap puff pastry for gluten-free pastry options if needed, or use a dairy-free cheese to cater to allergies.
Seasonal swap: If cranberries aren’t in season, chopped fresh figs or a berry jam can work surprisingly well as a substitute.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Craft the Cranberry Sauce

Start by combining fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar, orange juice, zest, cinnamon, water, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. I like to cook this on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens—about 10 minutes. This fresh sauce is the secret ingredient that brings tart brightness and spice to the bites. Be patient and let it reduce nicely; it'll thicken more once it cools.

Step 2: Prepare the Pastry Cups

While your sauce cools, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into squares that fit snugly into a mini muffin tin—usually about 2-inch squares work perfectly. Press each square gently into the tin to create little cups. Don’t forget to give the pastry a gentle dock with a fork if you want to avoid excessive puffing—though a little puff adds a nice texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Cranberry Brie Bites

Now comes the fun part—filling! Place a small cube of brie into each pastry cup, spoon a teaspoon of that gorgeous cranberry sauce right on top, and sprinkle some chopped walnuts for crunch. A little tip: cut the brie into bite-sized pieces that fit nicely without spilling over; you want melty cheese that stays contained but oozes just right.

Step 4: Brush and Bake

Mix the egg with a tablespoon of water for an egg wash and lightly brush the edges of the pastry squares to get that stunning golden-brown color in the oven. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden and the brie is melting into a creamy dream. Keep an eye so nothing over-browns—every oven is a bit different!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, let these cool just a bit (because lava-hot cheese is a pain!). Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a fragrant, festive touch and serve warm. These Cranberry Brie Bites are best enjoyed fresh but still taste amazing at room temp.

Top Tip

From making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really up the game and keep your baking stress-free. These tips make a noticeable difference and help avoid common pitfalls, especially if you’re new to puff pastry and baking with cheese.

Don’t skip the egg wash: It’s what gives your pastry that irresistibly shiny, golden finish everyone will admire.
Chill the puff pastry: Keep it cold until just before cutting — warm pastry can get sticky and hard to handle.
Watch the oven closely: Puff pastry bakes quickly and can go from perfect to burned fast, so keep an eye in the last few minutes.
Timing the sauce: Make your cranberry sauce a bit ahead so it has time to thicken and develop flavor — it sticks better on the brie this way.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these bites with fresh rosemary sprigs because their piney aroma really complements the cranberry and cheese. Sometimes I add a tiny drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of coarse sea salt for that sweet-salty contrast. It’s those little touches that make things feel extra special!

Side Dishes

These cranberry brie bites shine as finger foods alongside a simple green salad or a light wine and cheese board. If I’m serving a bigger spread, I pair them with roasted nuts, marinated olives, and crusty bread for the perfect appetizer variety.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe on a large wooden board lined with rosemary sprigs and scattered pomegranate seeds for color. You could also serve them warm in a decorative mini muffin tin or on a tiered stand to add height to your appetizer table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve stored leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. They’re still delicious, though the pastry can lose a bit of its crispness. To refresh, just reheat briefly in the oven.

Freezing

Freezing works if you're pre-assembling but not yet baked. I freeze the assembled bites on a tray, then transfer them into a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. It’s a real time-saver for parties!

Reheating

To keep that flakiness, I reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes until warmed and crisp. Microwaves tend to make the pastry soggy, so oven is definitely the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making the cranberry sauce a day ahead actually helps deepen the flavors and makes assembly faster on the day you're serving.

What’s the best way to cut brie for these bites?

Cut the brie into small cubes about ½ inch in size so that they fit well into each pastry cup without spilling over, allowing them to melt perfectly during baking.

Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce instead of homemade?

You can use store-bought cranberry sauce in a pinch, but homemade gives you fresher flavor and better texture that complements the pastry and brie more deliciously.

How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure to bake the bites right after assembling so the puff pastry has a chance to stay crisp. Also, avoid adding too much cranberry sauce; a small spoonful is plenty to prevent sogginess. Reheating in the oven also helps restore crispness.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become my go-to for holiday gatherings and casual get-togethers alike. It’s one of those rare recipes that’s fancy enough to impress but simple enough to whip up last minute. I can’t wait for you to make these and watch your friends and family dive in with delight. Grab some puff pastry and brie, and let’s make magic happen in the kitchen!