Description
Buttery cranberry brie bites featuring flaky puff pastry, creamy brie cheese, and a sweet-tart homemade cranberry sauce, topped with crunchy walnuts and fresh rosemary. These easy and elegant appetizers are perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Sauce
- 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
Pastry and Assembly
- 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)
Instructions
- Prepare the cranberry sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, orange zest, water, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 24 equal squares to fit into a mini muffin tin.
- Assemble the bites: Place each puff pastry square into the cups of a mini muffin tin, gently pressing to form a little cup. Add a small cube of brie cheese into each pastry cup, then spoon about a teaspoon of the homemade cranberry sauce on top of the cheese.
- Prepare the egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the edges of the puff pastry cups with the egg wash to help them brown beautifully.
- Bake the bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
- Add finishing touches: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle chopped walnuts over each bite. Garnish with small fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive look. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor, but frozen cranberries work well too.
- Allow cranberry sauce to cool before assembling to prevent puff pastry from becoming soggy.
- Cut brie into small cubes to ensure even melting inside the pastry.
- Chopped walnuts add crunch, but pecans or almonds can be a good substitute.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs are optional but add a lovely aroma and festive touch.
- Serve these bites warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 141 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.001 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
