These cranberry brie bites are a delightful appetizer that combines the creamy richness of brie cheese with the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, they are easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
If you don't usually keep puff pastry sheets or brie cheese at home, you'll need to pick these up at the supermarket. Puff pastry sheets are typically found in the frozen section, while brie cheese is often located in the specialty cheese area. Fresh rosemary can be found in the produce section, but it's optional if you prefer a simpler flavor.
Ingredients For Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Puff pastry sheets: These are used to create the crispy, flaky base for the bites.
Brie cheese: A soft cheese that melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture.
Cranberry sauce: Provides a sweet and tart contrast to the rich brie.
Rosemary: Optional, but adds a fresh, aromatic touch.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When working with puff pastry, ensure it remains cold while handling to maintain its flakiness. If it becomes too warm, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes before continuing. This will help achieve that perfect golden and crispy texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
puff pastry sheets - Substitute with phyllo dough: Phyllo dough can provide a similar flaky texture but will be lighter and crispier.
brie cheese - Substitute with camembert: Camembert has a similar creamy texture and flavor profile to brie, making it an excellent alternative.
cranberry sauce - Substitute with raspberry preserves: Raspberry preserves offer a sweet and slightly tart flavor that pairs well with cheese, similar to cranberry sauce.
chopped fresh rosemary - Substitute with chopped fresh thyme: Thyme has a similar earthy and aromatic quality that complements the other ingredients well.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the Cranberry Brie Bites to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the puff pastry soggy.
For short-term storage, place the bites in an airtight container. Layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the bites on a baking sheet and warm them for about 5-7 minutes, or until the brie cheese is melty and the puff pastry is crisp again.
For freezing, arrange the cooled bites on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place the sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the bites are frozen solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the bites to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen bites on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and the brie cheese is bubbly.
If you prefer, you can also reheat the frozen bites in a toaster oven. This method works well for smaller batches and ensures even heating.
Avoid microwaving the bites, as this can make the puff pastry chewy rather than crisp.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cranberry brie bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the puff pastry is crisp and the brie cheese is gooey again.
For a quicker method, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and heat the bites for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.
If you're in a rush, the microwave can be your friend. Place the cranberry brie bites on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Note that the puff pastry won't be as crisp as when using an oven.
For an air fryer, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the bites in a single layer in the basket. Heat for 3-4 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.
If you prefer a stovetop method, use a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the cranberry brie bites in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even warming.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cranberry brie bites at the specified temperature until the puff pastry is golden and the cheese is melted.
Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out the puff pastry sheets to the desired thickness before cutting them into squares.
Knife: Needed to cut the brie cheese into small pieces and to chop the fresh rosemary if using.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the brie cheese and chopping the rosemary.
Mini muffin tin: Used to form the puff pastry squares into small cups and to hold the cranberry brie bites while baking.
Measuring cup: Useful for measuring out the cranberry sauce to ensure you have the correct amount.
Tablespoon: Handy for spooning the cranberry sauce onto each puff pastry cup.
Cooling rack: Allows the cranberry brie bites to cool slightly after baking before serving.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the brie cheese and measure out the cranberry sauce the night before.
Use pre-made pastry: Opt for thawed puff pastry sheets to skip the dough-making process.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the puff pastry squares.
Organize your workspace: Arrange all ingredients and tools within reach to streamline assembly.
Batch process: Roll out and cut all puff pastry squares at once, then fill all cups in one go.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 package Puff pastry sheets thawed
- 8 oz Brie cheese cut into small pieces
- 1 cup Cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chopped fresh rosemary optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut into 24 squares.
- Place each square into a mini muffin tin to form a small cup.
- Add a piece of Brie cheese to each cup.
- Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary, if using.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Recipe
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Matcha Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
- Mango Coconut Smoothie Recipe10 Minutes
- Goddess Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
- Berry Spinach Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
- Berry Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
- Berry Beet Smoothie Recipe10 Minutes
- Berry Banana Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
- Avocado Lime Smoothie Recipe5 Minutes
Leave a Reply