These Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering! They're elegant, festive, and incredibly delicious, combining the creamy, tangy flavor of Brie cheese with the sweet and tart notes of cranberry sauce and orange marmalade, all nestled in a flaky crescent roll crust. I love how these bites are both easy to make and visually stunning. They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Why You'll Love These Cranberry Brie Bites
- Elegant and Festive: These bites look beautiful and are perfect for holiday entertaining.
- Flavorful Combination: The combination of creamy Brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent roll dough is irresistible.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes, these bites are perfect for a last-minute appetizer.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bites are always a hit at parties and gatherings.
Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Bites
Here's what you'll need to make these elegant appetizers. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Crescent roll dough (Dough)
- Brie cheese (Dairy)
- Orange marmalade (Preserve)
- Whole cranberry sauce (Sauce)
- Chopped pistachios, pecans, or walnuts (Nuts)
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary or candied orange pieces (Garnish)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Cranberry Brie Bites as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Cheese: Use Camembert, goat cheese, or a sharp cheddar cheese instead of Brie.
- Add Fig Jam: Substitute fig jam for the orange marmalade for a different flavor profile.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cranberry-orange mixture.
- Different Nuts: Use any type of chopped nuts you like, such as almonds or hazelnuts.
- Add honey
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Cranberry Brie Bites:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Pan
- I preheat my oven to 375 degrees F (190°C) and grease a 24-count mini-muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Prepare Brie
- I cut the Brie cheese into small, about 1-inch (or a little less) squares.
- I set the cheese aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Make Cranberry-Orange Mixture
- In a small bowl, I mix together the orange marmalade and cranberry sauce. I set it aside.
Prepare Crescent Roll Dough
- I lightly flour a flat surface, like a large wooden cutting board.
- I roll out the tube of crescent dough.
- I stretch it slightly to form an evenly sided rectangle and pinch the seams together.
- I cut the dough into 24 even-sized squares.
Assemble Bites
- I place the dough squares into the prepared muffin cups.
- I top each with a Brie cheese square and a teaspoon (or a little less) of the orange-cranberry mixture.
- I top with a few of the chopped nuts and a small sprig of rosemary.
Bake
- I slide the muffin pan into the oven and bake for about 10-13 minutes, or until golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
Cool and Serve
- I let the bites cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. They're best enjoyed warm.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Brie Bites
Here are my secrets for making these bites truly exceptional:
- Use Cold Brie: Cold Brie is easier to cut into squares.
- Don't Overfill: Don't overfill the crescent roll cups, or the filling will spill out during baking.
- Pinch the Seams: Make sure to pinch the seams of the crescent roll dough together to prevent the filling from leaking out.
- Watch Carefully: Keep an eye on the bites while they're baking to make sure they don't burn.
- Fresh is better: Fresh ingredients provide better results.
How to Serve
These Cranberry Brie Bites are perfect for:
- Holiday Appetizers: A beautiful and delicious appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve.
- Parties and Gatherings: A crowd-pleasing snack for any party or get-together.
- Brunch: A festive addition to your brunch menu.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the bites ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftover baked bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
FAQs about Cranberry Brie Bites
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
- Yes, you can use Camembert, goat cheese, or a sharp cheddar cheese.
- Can I make these without the nuts?
- Yes, you can omit the nuts if you prefer.
- Can I use a different type of fruit spread?
- Yes, you can
Enjoy these elegant and easy-to-make Cranberry Brie Bites! They're a perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering.
Print
Cranberry Brie Bites
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cranberry Brie Bites are a festive and elegant appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. Flaky crescent roll dough is filled with creamy Brie cheese, a sweet and tangy cranberry-orange mixture, and topped with crunchy nuts.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 6 ounces Brie cheese, rind removed (optional), cut into 24 small (about 1-inch) squares
- ¼ cup orange marmalade
- ¼ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios, pecans, or walnuts
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)
- Candied orange peel, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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Prepare Brie: Cut the Brie cheese into 24 small squares, approximately 1-inch or slightly smaller. Removing the rind is optional, but it can sometimes be tough. Place the Brie squares in the refrigerator until ready to use. This helps prevent them from melting too quickly.
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Make Cranberry-Orange Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the orange marmalade and whole berry cranberry sauce. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
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Prepare Crescent Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface (such as a large cutting board). Unroll the crescent roll dough onto the floured surface. Gently stretch the dough into a large, even rectangle. Pinch together any perforations or seams to create a solid sheet of dough.
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Cut Dough: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 24 approximately equal squares.
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Assemble Bites:
- Place one dough square into each cup of the prepared mini muffin tin.
- Top each dough square with a piece of the chilled Brie cheese.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon (or slightly less) of the cranberry-orange mixture on top of each Brie square.
- Sprinkle a few chopped nuts over the cranberry-orange mixture.
- Add a small sprig of fresh rosemary to each cup for garnish, if desired.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through, and the Brie is melted and bubbly.
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Cool and Serve: Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for 5-10 minutes before removing them. Serve warm.
Notes
- Crescent Roll Dough: You can use regular or reduced-fat crescent roll dough.
- Brie Cheese: The rind on the Brie is edible, but you can remove it if you prefer. Chilling the Brie makes it easier to cut.
- Cranberry Sauce: Whole berry cranberry sauce is recommended for its texture.
- Nuts: You can use pistachios, pecans, walnuts, or a combination. Toasting the nuts before chopping them enhances their flavor.
- Rosemary: Fresh rosemary adds a lovely aromatic touch, but it's optional.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the bites ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a minute or two to the baking time if baking from cold.
