Cranberry Brie Bites
	
		Cranberry Brie Bites are delightful holiday appetizers featuring creamy, melty brie cheese paired with tart cranberry sauce, all nestled in a flaky, buttery puff pastry cup. Easy to prepare and customizable, these bite-sized treats offer a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, making them ideal for festive gatherings and crowd-pleasing celebrations.
	 
	
		
							- Author: Judy
 
							- Prep Time: 15 minutes
 
							- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
 
							- Total Time: 30-33 minutes
 
							- Yield: 24 bites 1x
 
							- Category: Appetizers
 
							- Method: Baking
 
							- Cuisine: American
 
							- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free puff pastry is used)
 
					
	 
	
		
		
			Base
- 1 package store-bought puff pastry sheets, thawed
 
Filling
- 8 oz creamy, ripe brie cheese, cut into small chunks
 
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
 
Toppings (Optional)
- 2 tbsp walnuts or pecans, chopped
 
- Fresh rosemary leaves, for garnish
 
- Honey or maple syrup, for drizzling
 
		 
	 
	
		
		
			
- Prepare Puff Pastry Cups: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut thawed puff pastry sheets into approximately 2×2 inch squares. Gently press each square into the cups of a mini muffin tin, forming small pastry cups.
 
- Add Brie and Cranberry: Cut the brie cheese into small chunks and place one piece inside each pastry cup. Spoon a small amount of cranberry sauce over the brie, spreading it evenly.
 
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top if using. Garnish each bite with a small rosemary leaf. Optionally, drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over each for added sweetness and shine.
 
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the assembled bites in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky, and the brie is melted and gooey.
 
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cranberry brie bites to cool slightly in the pan, then carefully remove and transfer them to a serving platter. Serve warm to enjoy the melty cheese and perfect flavor combination.
 
		 
	 
	
		Notes
		
			
- Chill the puff pastry until just before assembling to ensure it puffs up and crisps well during baking.
 
- Do not overfill pastry cups; use moderate amounts of brie and cranberry to bake evenly.
 
- Use a sharp knife to cut the brie cleanly without sticking.
 
- A mini muffin tin helps shape the bites perfectly and makes them easy to serve and eat.
 
- Homemade cranberry sauce offers a fresher, less sweet flavor compared to store-bought options.
 
		 
	 
	
		Nutrition
		
							- Serving Size: 2 bites
 
							- Calories: 150
 
							- Sugar: 5g
 
							- Sodium: 120mg
 
							- Fat: 10g
 
							- Saturated Fat: 5g
 
							- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
 
							- Trans Fat: 0g
 
							- Carbohydrates: 12g
 
							- Fiber: 1g
 
							- Protein: 3g
 
							- Cholesterol: 15mg
 
					
	 
	
		Keywords: Cranberry Brie Bites, holiday appetizer, puff pastry appetizers, festive snacks, brie cheese bites, cranberry sauce appetizer