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Easy Cranberry Brie Bites: Best Puff Pastry Appetizer

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These Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer: flaky puff pastry cups filled with melted brie and a tart-sweet cranberry compote. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a crowd-pleaser that looks impressive with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets (thawed)
  • 8 ounces brie cheese (room temperature, rind removed)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Position rack in center of oven. Let thawed puff pastry sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes until pliable but still cold.
  2. Make the cranberry compote: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Lightly flour work surface. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry and cut into 12 equal squares (about 2 inches each). Repeat with second sheet for 24 squares total.
  4. Gently press each square into a cup of a mini muffin tin, letting corners stick up slightly above the rim. Do not compress the pastry layers.
  5. Pre-bake pastry cups for 5 minutes until just starting to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cool for 2 minutes.
  6. Cut brie into small cubes (about 1/2 inch each), removing rind. Place one cube of brie into each pre-baked pastry cup.
  7. Top each brie cube with about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry compote, spreading slightly to cover the cheese.
  8. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water to make egg wash. Lightly brush edges of pastry cups with egg wash.
  9. Return muffin tin to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until pastry is deep golden brown and brie is melted and bubbly.
  10. Let bites cool in pan for 5 minutes. Gently lift out and transfer to serving platter. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme if desired.

Notes

Pre-baking the pastry cups prevents soggy bottoms. Keep puff pastry cold for best flakiness. Cranberry compote can be made up to 3 days ahead. Bites are best served warm but are also delicious at room temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry brie bites, puff pastry appetizer, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, cranberry brie

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