Description
Cranberry brie bites deliver festive flavor in one delightful pop, combining creamy cheese and tart berries with buttery pastry. Elegant appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings bring gourmet flair to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 120 g (4 oz) brie cheese (cut into small cubes)
- ½ cup (120 ml) cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 200C (400F) and prepare mini muffin tin with light grease or parchment paper lining.
- Pastry Shaping: Smooth out puff pastry on floured surface, then precisely cut into 12 uniform squares, gently pressing each into muffin tin cups.
- Cheese Layering: Place a small, delicate slice of brie cheese at the base of each pastry-lined cup, ensuring even distribution.
- Cranberry Topping: Spoon a generous dollop of cranberry sauce or whole cranberry preserves atop the brie, creating a vibrant and tangy layer.
- Optional Garnish: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary over the bites for an aromatic herbal touch.
- Baking Process: Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crisp, and cheese melts luxuriously.
- Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven, allow bites to cool for 3-5 minutes in tin, then carefully transfer to serving platter, ensuring delicate pastry maintains its shape.
Notes
- Use all-butter puff pastry for richer flavor and better rise, ensuring crispy, golden edges.
- Chill pastry squares briefly before filling to maintain structural integrity and prevent excess moisture absorption.
- Cut Brie into small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting and prevent overflow during baking.
- Use a small amount of cranberry sauce or preserves to prevent overwhelming the delicate cheese flavor, creating perfect bite-sized appetizers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg