Name: Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tube crescent rolls (8 ounces); 4 oz brie cheese; ⅓ cup homemade cranberry sauce

There’s something truly magical about the warm, melty brie paired with tart cranberry in these bite-sized treats. The flaky crescent dough wrapping around this combo makes the Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe a total crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.

The image shows several small puff pastry cups with a golden brown color, each filled with a shiny, deep red cranberry sauce that looks thick and glossy. The pastries are topped with small green herb leaves that add a fresh contrast. Around the pastries, there are sugared whole cranberries that have a frosted look, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a wedge of soft white cheese with a smooth texture and a small white bowl filled with more cranberry sauce. The scene is bright and inviting with a focus on texture and color contrast between the golden pastries, red filling, green herbs, and white cheese. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t think of a better appetizer that’s so quick yet feels fancy. Whenever I bring this recipe to a gathering, it’s the first thing to disappear. The flavors just sing together—and you don’t have to be a pro baker to nail them.

Simple Ingredients: You only need three main things, but the flavor combo feels gourmet.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, these bites ready in under 25 minutes—perfect for last-minute hosting.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy date night or a big holiday bash, these are always a hit.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the cranberry sauce or cheese, so it suits your taste or what you have on hand.

A small round tart is held by a woman's hand, showing three layers: a thick, golden-brown crust on the bottom and sides, a glossy deep red cherry filling at the center with visible whole cherries or large pieces, and the crust edges gently folded over slightly onto the fruit. The texture of the crust looks soft but firm, and the cherry filling is shiny and thick, slightly oozing onto the crust. The background has a white marbled texture blurred out to keep focus on the tart. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a beautiful lesson in how just a handful of ingredients can shine when combined thoughtfully. The buttery, flaky crescent dough is the perfect vessel for the creamy brie, and the cranberry sauce cuts through the richness with a bright pop.

Flat lay of a sheet of pale beige crescent roll dough gently unrolled on a simple white ceramic plate, a wedge of creamy white brie cheese with bloomy rind on a plain white ceramic dish, a small white bowl filled with glossy, deep red homemade cranberry sauce with visible whole cranberries, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Crescent Rolls: I always reach for refrigerated tubes—they’re effortless and give you that golden, flaky shell every time.
Brie Cheese: Pick a good-quality brie with a creamy texture—room temperature brie spreads and melts better.
Cranberry Sauce: Homemade is my go-to because it’s less sweet and more flavorful than store-bought. Plus, it lets you control the tartness!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I absolutely love about this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over time, I’ve played around with different creative tweaks that really make it my own, and you should too!

Add Fresh Herbs: Sometimes I sprinkle a little fresh rosemary or thyme on top right before baking—it adds a lovely fragrant note that pairs beautifully with the brie.
Swap the Cranberry Sauce: If cranberries aren’t your thing, try fig jam or apricot preserves for a different but equally delicious twist.
Use Different Dough: For a gluten-free option, I’ve had great success with store-bought gluten-free puff pastry folded into similar bite-sized shapes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough Cups

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Gently unroll your crescent dough—careful not to tear it—and press the seams together so it forms an even sheet. Then, cut the dough into about 18 rectangles. I find using a sharp knife or even a pizza cutter works best for clean edges. Place each piece into the cups of a mini muffin tin; don’t worry if the dough doesn’t cover the sides completely—it still bakes up beautifully.

Step 2: Add the Brie and Cranberry Sauce

Slice your brie into small, bite-size pieces—aim for about 18 pieces to match your dough cups. I like to remove the rind if I want the bites milder, but leaving it on adds extra texture. Place one brie piece into each dough-lined muffin cup. Then, drop about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce right on top. The cranberry should be slightly thick to avoid making the dough soggy.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pop your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for golden-brown dough and bubbly cheese with hot cranberry sauce—that’s your cue they’re ready. I like to keep a close eye around the 10-minute mark to ensure the bites don’t over-bake and dry out.

Step 4: Serve While Warm

As soon as you pull them out, carefully remove the bites from the tin using a thin spatula or butter knife to loosen edges. Serve them warm for that melty, irresistible texture—these little bites won’t hang around long once they start circulating!

Top Tip

From my experience, the key to making this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe truly shine lies in a few small but important details I learned the hard way.

Room Temperature Brie: Let your brie sit out for 15-20 minutes before assembling so it melts evenly and stays creamy inside the dough.
Don’t Overfill: Use about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce—too much will ooze out and make the dough soggy.
Watch the Oven Time: Start checking at 10 minutes because ovens vary and you want that perfect golden crust without drying out the cheese.
Cool Slightly Before Removing: Let the bites cool in the tin for a minute or two before removing to prevent breaking.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a bit of freshly chopped rosemary or thyme over the top for a burst of herbal aroma. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances the tart cranberry, especially if my homemade sauce is a little tangy.

Side Dishes

Pairing these with a crisp green salad or even a cheese and charcuterie board makes for a beautiful spread. They’re also fantastic alongside roasted nuts or a fruity punch, which harmonizes well with the cranberry flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to arrange the cranberry brie bites on a festive platter decorated with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs. You can also serve them in miniature cupcake liners for a polished look that’s easy for guests to grab.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I keep leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay tasty for about 2 days, but honestly, they rarely last past that because everyone loves snacking on them warm and fresh!

Freezing

I’ve frozen unbaked bites by assembling them in a muffin tin, then covering tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This trick saved me during a busy holiday season!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the bites in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warm and the cheese is re-melty. Microwaving can get soggy, so oven reheating keeps them tasting fresh and crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce for this recipe?

Yes, you can definitely use store-bought cranberry sauce if you’re short on time. I recommend picking a sauce that has a thicker consistency to prevent it from making the dough soggy. If it’s very runny, drain some liquid or cook it down a bit first.

What type of brie cheese is best for cranberry brie bites?

I suggest using a soft, creamy brie with a white rind — it melts beautifully and adds a rich texture. Taking it out of the fridge to come up to room temperature before baking makes a big difference in how gooey and melty it gets.

Can I prepare cranberry brie bites ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the bites a few hours ahead or even freeze them before baking. Just keep them covered in the fridge if assembling early and bake right before serving. If frozen, bake from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cook time.

What’s the best way to serve cranberry brie bites at a party?

Serving them warm is key—either freshly baked or reheated in the oven. I like using mini muffin tins or festive trays lined with parchment to keep things neat. Garnishing with herbs or a tiny drizzle of honey can elevate their look and flavor.

Final Thoughts

These Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe hold such a special place in my kitchen rotation—they're simple but feel so sophisticated, and they bring people together around the table effortlessly. If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer that makes guests swoon and keeps you stress-free, I can’t recommend these enough. Treat yourself and give them a try—you’ll be reaching for this recipe time and time again!