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Cranberry Brie Bites are a burst of holiday flavor in every bite. Tangy sweet cranberry sauce and creamy buttery brie meet in a golden crescent dough crust for the perfect sweet and savory combination. They’re easy to make, impressive to serve, and the perfect appetizer for adding a festive touch to any holiday party appetizer spread.

Baked brie bites in crescent dough on a serving platter with fresh rosemary sprigs on the side.

Cranberry Brie Bites Made With Crescent Dough

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday appetizer – then this is it! Cranberry brie pastry bites are the best bite-sized app for gatherings. They’re simple to make with only 4 ingredients and they look festive with the white brie cheese and red cranberry sauce.

One brie bite on a plate with a bite taken out of it to show the center with brie cheese, cranberry sauce, and pecans.

The crust is simply a store-bought, refrigerated crescent dough sheet that gets cut into small squares, which then go into a mini muffin tin to create the perfect vessel or cup to hold the creamy brie cheese, tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans on top.

The best combination of buttery, savory, sweet, tart – you’re going to fall in love with these delicious little appetizer bites❤

Image of the cranberry brie bite on a serving platter ready to eat.

Ingredients Needed

Crescent Roll Dough Sheet : These are a refrigerated tube of crescent rolls but instead of being in the perforated 8 triangle shapes, it is just a sheet of dough with no seams. If all you can find are the crescent rolls then use a rolling pin to flatten it out (and get rid of the seams) and then cut into the 24 squares needed for the recipe.
Brie Cheese : Brie cheese is a soft and creamy cheese with a mild buttery flavor. You will find usually in the deli area near the other specialty cheeses.
Cranberry Sauce : Use canned cranberry sauce (either the jelly one or chunky one) or you can use up leftover homemade cranberry sauce from a holiday dinner.
Chopped Pecans

How To Make Cranberry Brie Bites In A Mini Muffin Pan (Printable Recipe Card)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Lay out the crescent dough sheet onto a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough sheet into 24 squares. Press one square into each of the mini muffin tins to form a cup.

Cut the brie into 1/2-inch cubes (24 of them) and place one cube in each crescent cup.

Top each piece of brie cheese with 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce and sprinkle some chopped pecans on top.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Let them cool for a couple of minutes, or until you can easily handle them and lift them out of the pan, and then serve the cranberry brie bites warm. Enjoy!

How To Store Leftovers

Leftover cranberry brie bites should be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the brie bite(s) in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes.

For freezing, wrap each cranberry bite in plastic wrap and then place them into a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. I do not recommend making these, freezing them, and then thawing/reheating for a party or event. This is strictly a use for leftovers to not waste them.

This appetizer recipe is best served warm, fresh after baking. If serving at a party or gathering I would highly recommend making them fresh so they’re ready to go.

Substitutions and Ingredient Notes

Crescent Dough Sheet : You can also use the refrigerated crescent roll dough that comes perforated/separated into the 8 triangle shapes. You will have to use a rolling pin to flatten it out into one piece, and to get rid of the seams, and then cut it into the 24 small squares. I have never used anything other than crescent dough, but other recipes sometimes use flaky puff pastry or philo cups.
Cranberry Sauce : Canned cranberry sauce or jelly, homemade cranberry sauce or relish, or you can even use cranberry jam. You can also completely change the flavor profile and use your favorite jam or jelly instead (apricot, orange marmalade, blackberry are all good choices).
Chopped Pecans : Chopped walnuts or pistachios are both good alternative choices.
Brie Cheese : There is no substitutes for this one! Look for this specialty cheese usually near the deli-produce area where the other specialty cheeses are.

Recipe FAQs

How Do You Serve Cranberry Brie Bites?

These are usually my go-to appetizer for hosting parties or bringing to holiday gatherings and get-togethers. They are easy to make, transport well, and can be eaten warmed or room temperature. If you want to make the serving tray a little fancy, I recommend getting some fresh rosemary sprig and laying them around the brie bites on the serving tray.

Does The Rind Need To Be Cut Off The Brie?

The rind of brie cheese is perfectly safe to eat but some people dislike the texture (me!), so yes, you can remove the rind if wanted. You don’t have to as it’s just up to personal preference.

Can I Use Another Flavor Besides Cranberry?

Although these are cranberry bites, you can use a different type of jam or jelly to alter the flavor profile. Blackberry, raspberry, apricot, or orange marmalade are all great options if you want to change the flavor.

Can I Add Fresh Herbs?

Finely chopped rosemary would be the best option if you want to add some herby flavor.

Do I Serve Them Warm, Room Temperature, or Cooled?

They are best enjoyed while still warm; however, they are still good once they have cooled slightly and reached room temperature. For best results, I highly recommend planning on serving this appetizer warmed from the oven.

Serving platter of this holiday appetizer

More Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

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Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

Cranberry Fluff

Side view of a platter of brie bites with cranberry sauce.

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