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

Imagine a warm, flaky crust melting with creamy brie, all perfectly balanced by a burst of tangy cranberry. That’s exactly what makes this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe such a little showstopper—easy to whip up yet impressive, perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in.

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 remember the first time I made these Cranberry Brie Bites — they vanished from the table in minutes! What’s not to love? They’re buttery, cheesy, and just the right touch of festive sweetness. Seriously, these bites bring everyone together.

Super quick and simple: You’ll have these on the table from start to finish in about 20 minutes, no stress involved.
Beautifully balanced flavors: The rich brie pairs perfectly with bright, homemade cranberry sauce.
Perfect party pleasers: Bite-sized and elegant — these are guaranteed crowd-pleasers at any gathering.
Flexible and customizable: You can easily switch up the toppings or add your twist without losing the magic.

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

Each ingredient in this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe plays a crucial role for flavor and texture, and they’re all pretty easy to find. Using store-bought crescent roll dough saves time but delivers a tender, flaky crust that’s just right for holding that gooey brie and vibrant cranberry.

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 roll dough: The flakiness is crucial here—don’t substitute with a tougher dough or you’ll lose that melt-in-your-mouth feeling.
Brie cheese: Ideal for its creamy texture and mild buttery flavor, which balances the tartness of the cranberry.
Homemade cranberry sauce: I like making this myself to control sweetness and texture, but you can use quality store-bought if you’re short on time.

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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

What I love most about this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to add a bit of crunch or swap the cranberry for something else, it’s forgiving and fun to play with flavors.

Variation: I once sprinkled a tiny bit of chopped toasted pecans on top before baking—added a lovely crunch! You might like walnuts or even a drizzle of honey instead.
Dietary swaps: For a gluten-free twist, try mini gluten-free tart shells or a gluten-free crescent dough alternative if you can find one.
Seasonal changes: Swap cranberry sauce for fig jam or apricot preserves for a different vibe—either way, your brie shines through.

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

Step 1: Prepping the Dough Cups

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough on a clean surface and press the seams gently together so you’re working with one solid sheet. Then cut the dough into 18 small rectangles—this gives you the perfect size to fit in a mini muffin tin. Don’t worry if the dough cups don’t come up the sides fully; they’ll hold everything together once baked.

Step 2: Filling with Brie and Cranberry

Slice your brie into 18 small chunks—try to keep them even so every bite melts perfectly. Place one piece into each dough cup, then scoop about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce right on top. This layering ensures every bite bursts with creamy, sweet-tart goodness.

Step 3: Baking to Perfection

Bake the bites for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye out for golden brown edges and bubbly cheese. The aroma at this stage is pure heaven! Once baked, remove them from the tin immediately to keep the bottoms crisp. Serve warm for that ooey-gooey experience everyone will rave about.

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few things that help you get that perfect crisp base and oozy brie every time. These tips saved me from a few soggy disasters!

Don’t overfill your dough cups: Too much brie or cranberry sauce can make the dough soggy, so keep portions moderate.
Use room temperature brie: It melts more evenly and faster when warmed slightly before baking.
Remove immediately after baking: This prevents steam from making the bottoms soggy—place on a wire rack if possible.
Keep cranberry sauce thick: Thin or runny cranberry sauce can turn the bites mushy. Make sure your sauce is nicely set.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish mine with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or tiny rosemary sprigs; they add a lovely herbal note that pairs beautifully with both brie and cranberry. Sometimes, a small drizzle of honey on top adds that delicate sweetness that makes guests go “wow.”

Side Dishes

These bites are great alongside a crisp green salad with a balsamic dressing or on a cheese board with assorted nuts, cured meats, and seasonal fruit. I like balancing that richness with fresh, crunchy veggies or some sparkling wine for a festive touch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange these on a beautiful wooden board lined with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries scattered around. Another time, I served them in festive mini cupcake wrappers for easy grab-and-go snacking. Presentation matters, and little touches make a big impression!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cranberry brie bites? No problem. I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, gently reheat in the oven or toaster oven to restore crispness — microwaving makes the dough soggy, so I avoid that.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before baking by assembling them on a tray, flash-freezing, then transferring to a freezer bag. When you want a quick snack, bake them straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time. This method keeps the flavors intact and the texture surprisingly good.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8 minutes. This warms the brie nicely and crisps the dough back up. A wire rack on your baking sheet helps prevent the bottoms from steaming and getting soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cranberry sauce for this recipe?

You can, but it’s best if the sauce is thick and not watery. If your frozen cranberry sauce is runny, try simmering it gently to reduce excess liquid before topping your brie bites.

What’s the best type of brie to use?

Choose a mild, creamy brie rather than a heavily aged one to keep the flavor balanced. Avoid brie with a thick rind in this recipe—it’s better to cut the rind off or use wedge pieces with minimal rind.

Can these bites be made vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the brie for a plant-based creamy cheese and use a dairy-free crescent dough if you can find it. The cranberry sauce recipe stays the same, so you still get that fruity tang.

Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! Assemble the bites without baking, cover them tightly, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours before baking. This makes your party prep stress-free and fresh.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become a staple whenever I need a fast but fancy appetizer. The way the flavors burst together—and that melty brie comfort—is such a joy to share with friends and family. Give it a try next time you want something effortless yet impressive—you’ll thank me later!