Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Flaky golden puff pastry cups filled with melted French brie cheese, glossy ruby spiced cranberry sauce, toasted pecans, and fresh fragrant rosemary.
In a nutshell:These authentic french-american cranberry brie puff pastry bites come together in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: thaw frozen puff pastry overnight in the fridge. If it gets too warm while slicing, pop them back in the fridge. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
These elegant Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites are the ultimate crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer. Crispy, buttery puff pastry squares are pressed into mini muffin tins, loaded with cubes of rich double-cream brie, topped with sweet-tart spiced cranberry sauce, and baked until puffed and bubbling. Finished with toasted pecans and fresh rosemary needles, they disappear within minutes at any Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering.
Key Equipment
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- 24-cup mini muffin tin
- Pizza cutter or sharp chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Small spoon or cookie scoop
- Cooking spray
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Keep puff pastry cold: Thaw frozen puff pastry overnight in the fridge. If it gets too warm while slicing, pop the cut squares into the freezer for 5 minutes before pressing into the tin to ensure maximum flaky rise.
- Leave the brie rind on: The white bloomy rind on French brie is completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape during high-heat baking without puddling over.
- Use homemade or quality whole-berry cranberry sauce: Whole-berry cranberry sauce provides rich texture and vibrant ruby shine compared to jellied sauce.
- Add fresh rosemary right before baking: Tucking a tiny sprig of rosemary into each cup infuses herbal pine notes into the melting cheese as it bakes.
Ingredients
12
servings
-
1 sheet all-butter puff pastry, thawed but cold, about 8-9 oz
-
8 oz wheel of French Brie cheese, chilled and cut into 24 bite-sized cubes
-
¾ cup whole berry cranberry sauce, homemade or premium jarred
-
⅓ cup raw pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
-
2 tbsp fresh rosemary needles, finely minced, plus tiny sprigs for garnish
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2 tbsp honey or pure maple syrup, warm, for drizzling after baking
-
1 pinch flaky sea salt, for finishing balance
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat & Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 24-cup mini muffin pan generously with nonstick cooking spray.
Cut Puff Pastry Squares
Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the sheet into 24 equal squares (4 rows by 6 columns).
Fit Pastry into Cups
Gently press each pastry square into a cavity of the mini muffin tin, allowing the four pastry corners to point upward slightly above the rim.
Fill with Brie & Cranberries
Place one cube of brie cheese into the bottom of each pastry cup. Top each cheese cube with about 1 rounded teaspoon of whole berry cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and a tiny pinch of fresh rosemary.
Bake Until Puffed & Golden
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 17 minutes, until the pastry corners are deeply golden brown and crisp, and the brie is gloriously melted and bubbling.
Drizzle & Serve
Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes (the brie will set slightly, making them easy to lift). Transfer to a holiday platter, drizzle lightly with warm honey, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. Serve warm!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
View on AmazonHamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble the pastry cups in the mini muffin tin with the brie and cranberry sauce up to 4 hours in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator, then bake straight from cold, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
Absolutely! This is one of the best ways to repurpose leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Yes, simply omit the chopped pecans, or substitute with toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a delightful autumn crunch without tree nuts.
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