If you need a quick festive nibble that looks the part but is really simple to make, these brie & cranberry bites are ideal. They take minutes to make, use just four ingredients, and bake into perfectly crisp, gooey little pastry cups.
Great for Christmas parties, New Year's Eve, or whenever you fancy something easy but a bit special.
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You wouldn't think something this simple would get so many compliments, but these little brie & cranberry bites always do. The flaky pastry, the melty brie and the cranberry on top just work. They also look much fancier than the effort involved, which is always a bonus!
If you like easy party snacks, you might also want to try my mini sausage rolls or my pesto pastry pinwheels - both great for feeding a crowd.
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🥘 Ingredients You Will Need
✋ Double check all packaging for allergens ✋
Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need to make these brie and cranberry bites. Scroll further down for allergy-friendly swaps.
- Puff pastry - I use a ready-rolled sheet because life is too short to make your own!
- Brie - Cut this into 24 small cubes.
- Cranberry sauce - Use your favourite jar.
- Egg - Used for brushing on the pastry so it gets that perfect golden brown colour.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🥜 How Can I Make This Dish Allergy Friendly?
✔️ Make Them Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free brie alternative (there are quite a few good ones in bigger supermarkets now).
✔️ Make Them Egg-Free: Skip the egg wash and brush with milk or leave them unbrushed - they'll still puff up nicely.
✔️ Make Them Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free puff pastry sheet. Most supermarkets now sell ready-rolled versions.
✏️ How to Make Brie & Cranberry Bites
⬇️ Here you will find an overview of how to make the recipe. For full information on ingredients and quantities please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page ⬇️
Step 1: Start by heating the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Give your mini muffin tin a quick spray with oil - it just helps the pastry lift out cleanly later, especially if any cheese escapes while baking.
Step 2: Unroll your puff pastry and slice it into 24 small squares. A pizza cutter is handy here.
Step 3: Gently press each square into the muffin tin. Don't worry about getting them all perfectly even - the pastry sorts itself out in the oven and looks great once baked.
Step 4: Drop a cube of brie into each pastry cup. No need to be precious about the shape; it melts down nicely as it cooks.
Step 5: Add a little spoonful of cranberry sauce on top. A small amount is enough - too much and it can bubble over the sides.
Step 6: Brush the visible edges of the pastry with beaten egg. This is what gives you that nice golden finish.
Step 7: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the pastry has puffed, the edges are crisp and lightly browned, and the brie is melted and bubbling.
Let them sit in the tin for a couple of minutes before lifting them out - they'll be much easier to handle once they've settled slightly.
💡 Lauren's Top Tips
- 🌟 Chill The Pastry: If it gets too warm while you're cutting it, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes to keep the layers nice and flaky.
- 🌟 Don't Overfill: A tiny bit of cranberry sauce goes a long way - too much and it'll bubble over.
- 🌟 Use A Sharp Knife Or Pizza Cutter: Makes slicing the pastry into neat squares much easier.
- 🌟 Serve Warm: They taste best when the brie is still soft and creamy.
🔨 The Meal Planning Toolbox
🗒️Make Ahead
Prep them fully, cover the muffin tin with cling film, and pop it in the fridge for up to a day. Bake just before serving.
🗒️ Batch Cooking
Double or triple the recipe - they're brilliant for parties or when you have a crowd.
🗒️ Leftovers & Storage
They'll keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes until warm and crisp again.
🗒️Freezing
Freeze unbaked bites in the muffin tin until solid, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes.
🗒️ Reheating
Pop them in the oven at 180°C for 5-7 minutes. They'll crisp back up beautifully.
💬 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely - it works just as well and gives a slightly stronger flavour.
You can, but you'll only make 12 larger bites. Increase the cheese slightly and add a minute or two to the baking time.
⚡ More Puff Pastry Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you loved this recipe, please leave me a 5🌟 rating or comment below. I really do appreciate it. 😊
📖 Recipe
Festive Brie And Cranberry Bites
Equipment
- 1 mini muffin tray
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 24 small cubes brie
- 4bsp tablespoon cranberry sauce
- 1 medium egg beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and spray a mini muffin tin lightly with oil.
- Unroll your puff pastry and cut it into 24 small squares.
- Press each square into one of the muffin holes.
- Pop a cube of brie into each pastry cup.
- Add a small dollop of cranberry sauce on top of each one.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden and the brie is bubbling.
Notes
Best served warm while the brie is soft. Ideal as party nibbles or part of a festive buffet. Leftovers
Store in the fridge for 2–3 days in an airtight container. Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 5–7 minutes until crisp again. They tend to go soggy in the microwave. Freezing
Freeze unbaked bites on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes.
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