Cranberry Brie Bites have saved my hide more than once. You know those moments when you suddenly remember you promised to bring an appetizer and panic hits? Yeah, been there. These little festive wonders come together so fast, look absolutely adorable, and taste like something you’d get at a five-star restaurant (okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but they really are fancy). No fussy kitchen gadgets, just five simple ingredients and boom: instant holiday hero. If you ever feel “holiday stress,” just keep a pack of crescent dough handy and thank me later.
Why You’ll Love This Festive Brie & Cranberry Recipe
Let’s get real: Nobody wants to spend an entire December afternoon slaving in the kitchen. That’s why these Cranberry Brie Bites are my go-to. They check all the boxes for flavor, speed, and “Instagrammable” looks. I mean, people flip for that sweet-savory action. And the color! It’s like edible Christmas cheer. Plus, you basically can’t mess them up. I even had a toddler “help” once and they still vanished in thirty minutes. The whole snack is just cozy and elegant at the same time, not to mention: it makes your kitchen smell ridiculously inviting.
Oh! and if you like easy recipes, you’d probably go wild for these cranberry roll-ups or even the popular cranberry cream cheese crescent bites for next time.
TL;DR: Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 tube crescent roll dough
- Brie cheese (cut into ~24 cubes)
- Whole berry cranberry sauce
- Fresh rosemary (or dried)
- Chopped pecans (optional)
- Cut crescent dough into 24 squares; press into mini muffin tin.
- Add a cube of brie + small spoon of cranberry sauce.
- Top with rosemary + pecans if desired.
- Bake 10–13 min at 375°F until golden and melty.
- Cool 2–3 min to avoid hot cheese spill.
Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Bites
Okay, here’s the best part. You only need five things:
- One tube of crescent roll dough (the kind you whack on the counter)
- A wedge of brie cheese (enough for, say, 24 squares)
- Whole berry cranberry sauce (the classic canned stuff or homemade if you’re a kitchen wizard)
- Chopped fresh rosemary (or dried, in a pinch)
- Chopped pecans (totally optional, but super good)
Boom. That’s it. Nothing weird, nothing expensive, nothing you can’t pronounce. You’ll find more detail on this flavor combo in the cranberry cream cheese crescent bites post if you want to compare.
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor (Pecans, Rosemary, Honey, etc.)
Okay, confession: the first time I made these, I didn’t get creative. But when you’ve done these like three times in a row, a little jazzing up does wonders. Toss a pecan or two on top for crunch. Try a drop of honey if you want that sweet finish, almost dessert-like, seriously. Rosemary gives them those “fancy restaurant” vibes, and a few festive sprigs look pretty and taste even better. Some pals even suggested swapping in fig jam or adding orange zest. Honestly, once you have the basics, the toppings are like the wild card round.
If you’re curious, check out these cranberry roll-ups for a totally different twist using similar flavors.
How to Make the Best Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Easy mode. Let’s go: first, unroll the crescent dough and cut it into little squares. Push each one into a mini muffin tin, doesn’t have to be perfect. Plop in a chunk of brie. Then spoon on a dollop (love that word) of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with rosemary and pecans if you’re feeling bold. Pop into the oven at 375°F for 10-13 minutes, basically until golden and bubbly. That’s it! Let ’em cool for just a sec or risk a lava-cheese experience…trust me.
If you want step-by-step, my cranberry cream cheese crescent bites breakdown might help too. For more shortcuts, I use parchment so nothing sticks, and a pizza wheel for fast dough cutting.
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Cranberry Brie Bites
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites
Description
Easy and festive appetizer that combines creamy brie, sweet cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent dough, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tube crescent roll dough (The kind you whack on the counter)
- 1 wedge brie cheese (Enough for about 24 squares)
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (Canned or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary (Or dried if in a pinch)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (Optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Unroll the crescent dough and cut it into little squares.
- Push each square into a mini muffin tin.
- Place a chunk of brie into each dough square.
- Spoon a dollop of cranberry sauce on top of the brie.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary and chopped pecans if using.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for a moment before serving.
Notes
Make-ahead friendly: Assemble in advance, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day. Can freeze uncooked for up to a month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Make-Ahead and Freezer Instructions
I swear these Cranberry Brie Bites were designed for holiday chaos. You can totally prep them ahead, which is a gift in itself. Assemble everything in the muffin tin, cover, and pop in the fridge for up to a day. Want to freeze? Just build the little bites, stash them (uncooked) in an airtight container, and freeze for up to a month. When ready, bake straight from frozen, just adding a couple extra minutes.
For more party tricks like this, you might really dig my cranberry roll-ups, just as freezer-friendly.
Topping Ideas & Flavor Variations
Bored of the regular cranberry sauce already? Don’t blame you, there are so many fun ways to remix this simple recipe. Some folks swear by a touch of orange zest or candied ginger for holiday magic. Apple butter or apricot jam? Both delightful. Maybe swap pecans for walnuts. Or, drizzle with balsamic glaze for a more grown-up, tangy bite. The best thing about snacks like Cranberry Brie Bites is how they can morph for whatever flavor mood (or picky eater) you’re facing that day.
If you need more flavor inspo, I always send people to my cranberry cream cheese crescent bites page where options run wild.
Sweet Holiday Bites (Honey, Maple Syrup, Orange Zest)
Let’s talk sweet upgrades for a second. Sometimes you just need something extra. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup right before serving…oh my, the sticky sweetness with melty brie! Sprinkle on fresh orange zest and it’s perfect with hot cider. Some days, I even add a pinch of cinnamon. The combination might sound odd, but promise you’ll wish you made a double batch. The blend of gooey cheese and tart berries totally wins on the holiday dessert table (yes, even before pie).
What to Serve with Cranberry Brie Bites
Short answer: pretty much anything, but here’s my usual:
- Fresh grapes or apple slices
- Holiday ham or turkey
- Party snack mix or roasted nuts
- A glass of bubbly or a dry cider
Make these the start of a finger food feast. If you’re all about easy, link up with my cranberry cream cheese crescent bites for a little appetizer spread.
Best Pairings for Holiday Parties & Gatherings
I mean, is it even a real holiday hang without a mimosa or cozy punch? I love serving Cranberry Brie Bites with a glass of something sparkly or a mug of something warm (hello, mulled wine). On big family nights, I set them next to sliders or even a giant cheese board. They’re just as cozy at brunch as they are late-night, and honestly, the color always jazzes up the snack table. Just… don’t be shocked if they disappear before you sneak seconds.
If you want a partner at the appetizer bar, check out those White Chocolate Dipped Chewy Maple Cookies too.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Here’s the deal: most screw-ups come from rushing. If your muffin tin isn’t greased, you’ll be scraping out gooey bites – not fun. Overfilling the dough is another classic error. Less is more, or you’ll have a bubbly mess (still tasty, just less pretty). Forgot to cut the brie into cubes? You’ll end up with one huge cheese blob instead of bite-size goodness. And please…don’t overbake! The brie should ooze, not evaporate.
Learned the hard way, promise.
Nutritional facts per serving
Alright, keeping it real: Cranberry Brie Bites aren’t exactly “health food,” but hey, it’s the holidays. Each bite is roughly 90 calories, about 3g protein, 7g fat, 7g carb and a bit of fiber. Decent source of calcium thanks to brie. Sugars mostly from cranberry sauce. Treat yourself and forget the numbers for a night; totally worth it.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Per bite (1 of ~24); values are estimates based on common ingredients and brands.
More Easy Holiday Appetizers You’ll Love
If you’re into no-fuss recipes, check these out: my personal favorite cranberry roll-ups (they’re weirdly addictive) and of course, the viral cranberry cream cheese crescent bites. Both are just as breezy and festive. I also often link folks to AllRecipes for crowd-pleasing appetizers or FoodNetwork’s simple holiday guides.
Common Questions
Absolutely. The classic canned stuff is perfect, and nobody will ever know the difference.
Swap in camembert or even cream cheese. It’ll still taste fab.
Best right out of the oven, but even if they soften a bit, they’re still super tasty.
Oh yes! some folks tuck in a bit of ham or crispy bacon. Not exactly traditional, but who’s judging? Not me.
Oddly, yes. Even picky ones. Maybe it’s the gooey cheese, or the fun mini-size.
Ready to Be the Appetizer MVP?
You really can’t mess up with Cranberry Brie Bites. Easy, fast, festive…basically everything you want in a holiday snack and way less hassle than people think. Next time you’re stressing over what to bring, just remember this recipe; your holiday future self will send you a mental high five. Want more easy ideas? Visit my Christmas appetizers board for a flex-friendly, crowd-pleaser. If you’re all about cheese, even The Kitchn has a killer brie guide. Trust me, your snack table’s about to hit legendary status.
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