Description
These Cranberry Brie Bites are delightful, bite-sized appetizers featuring creamy Brie cheese, tangy cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans nestled in flaky puff pastry. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, they combine sweet, savory, and nutty flavors with a buttery, flaky texture.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed)
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel Brie cheese (cut into small cubes)
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
- Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the puff pastry crisp and golden.
- Prepare the puff pastry cups: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 24 squares approximately 3 inches each. Gently press each square into the cups of a non-stick mini muffin tin, forming small pastry cups.
- Assemble the bites: Place a cube of Brie cheese into each puff pastry cup. Then, spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce over each piece of Brie. Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans evenly on top to add texture and flavor.
- Bake: Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Bake until the puff pastry is golden brown, puffed up, and the Brie cheese has melted and become bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the bites from the oven and carefully take them out of the muffin tin. Top each bite with a small fresh sprig of rosemary or thyme for an aromatic and visually appealing finish. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is well-thawed before rolling; this prevents cracking or tearing.
- For a variation, use walnuts instead of pecans or add a drizzle of honey on top before serving for extra sweetness.
- These bites are best served warm but can be prepared ahead and reheated gently in the oven.
- Use fresh herbs to enhance aroma; thyme provides a slightly earthier flavor compared to rosemary.
- When cutting puff pastry, try to keep the squares even in size for uniform baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
