I love hosting friends and family, and one thing that always gets compliments is a good cheese appetizer. Especially when it involves brie cheese! If you’re looking for easy, beautiful, and delicious cranberry brie recipes for your next gathering, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, I’m sharing three fantastic ways to prepare cranberry brie that are perfect for any party or holiday meal. Each one uses simple ingredients and steps, making your hosting duties much easier. Let’s make some amazing food!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Cranberry Brie Bites
- 2. Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Cups
- 3. Cranberry Pecan Brie Wrapped In Puff Pastry
Quick Cranberry Brie Bites
These little cranberry brie bites are so simple to make and always disappear fast! They are perfect for last-minute guests or when you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Brie Bites
- Puff Pastry: Using pre-made puff pastry makes this recipe incredibly quick. Just unroll it and you are ready to go.
- Cranberry Sauce: Canned whole berry cranberry sauce works perfectly here. You can also use homemade if you have it.
- Brie Cheese: Cut the brie into small, even pieces so they melt nicely in each bite. You don’t need to remove the rind.
What You Need for Cranberry Brie Bites
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 24 bites
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
Step 1: Get Ready to Bake
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and gently unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the pastry into 24 small squares.
Step 2: Assemble the Bites
Press each pastry square into a mini muffin tin. Place a small cube of brie cheese into the center of each pastry cup, then top with about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce. If you like, brush the edges of the pastry with a little egg wash for a golden finish.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before removing and serving warm.
📝 Final Note
These cranberry brie bites are best served warm, straight from the oven. If you have leftovers, they can be reheated in a toaster oven.
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Cups
These mini cranberry pecan baked brie cups are a delightful, warm appetizer that brings a little bit of crunch and sweetness to your table. They look fancy but are surprisingly easy to create, making them a holiday favorite.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Brie Cups
- Wonton Wrappers: These create a lovely, crisp shell for your brie cups. You can find them in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.
- Pecans: Lightly toasting the pecans before adding them brings out their nutty taste. Chop them finely for easier eating.
- Sweetness: A drizzle of honey or maple syrup after baking adds a wonderful touch of sweetness that pairs well with the tart cranberries.
What You Need for Cranberry Pecan Brie Cups
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 6 oz brie cheese, cut into 12 small pieces
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for serving)
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 12 cups
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Cups
Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Cups
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, forming a small cup. Be careful not to tear them.
Step 2: Fill Each Cup
Place a piece of brie cheese into the bottom of each wonton cup. Top the brie with about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce, then sprinkle with chopped pecans. Make sure not to overfill so they bake properly.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy, and the brie is melted. Carefully remove the cups from the muffin tin. Before serving, drizzle each cup with a little honey or maple syrup.
📝 Final Note
For an extra pop of color, you can garnish these with a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or a few more cranberry pieces before serving.
Elegant Cranberry Pecan Brie Wrapped In Puff Pastry
This cranberry pecan brie wrapped in puff pastry is a true showstopper for any gathering. It’s a classic appetizer that combines warm, creamy brie with sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, all hugged by a flaky, golden crust.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Baked Brie
- Whole Brie Wheel: Use a full wheel of brie, typically 8 oz or 16 oz, for this recipe. You don’t need to cut off the rind as it helps hold the cheese together while baking.
- Puff Pastry Handling: Make sure your puff pastry is thawed but still cold. This helps keep it flaky. Don’t overwork the dough.
- Egg Wash: Brushing the pastry with an egg wash before baking gives it that beautiful, shiny, golden-brown crust we all love.
What You Need for Cranberry Pecan Brie in Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 (8 oz or 16 oz) wheel of brie cheese
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
⏱️ Time: 50-55 minutes🍽️ Yields: 8-10 servings
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Brie Wrapped In Puff Pastry
Step 1: Prep Your Pastry and Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If your pastry is smaller than your brie wheel, you can gently roll it out a bit to make it larger.
Step 2: Assemble the Brie
Place the wheel of brie cheese in the center of the puff pastry. Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the brie, then sprinkle the chopped pecans over the cranberry sauce. Make sure to leave some space around the edges of the pastry.
Step 3: Wrap and Bake
Carefully bring the edges of the puff pastry up and over the brie, sealing it completely. You can pinch the seams together. Flip the wrapped brie over so the seams are on the bottom. Brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
📝 Final Note
Let the baked brie rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven before slicing. This helps the cheese settle and makes for cleaner cuts. Serve with crackers, apple slices, or crusty bread.
