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Brie and Cranberry Bites Recipe

Brie and Cranberry Bites Recipe

Flaky, bite-sized puff pastry parcels filled with creamy melted brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce, creating an irresistible savory-sweet appetizer that's perfect for entertaining.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Serves:
24 bites
An overhead shot of golden-brown puff pastry bites arranged on a rustic wooden serving board, their tops slightly open to reveal the molten brie cheese and ruby-red cranberry sauce inside. Soft natural light catches the flaky, buttery layers of the pastry, highlighting their delicate structure. A few fresh cranberries and small sprigs of thyme are scattered artfully around the board, while a drizzle of honey glistens across a few bites. In the background, a glass of white wine and holiday decorations suggest a festive gathering, with steam still visibly rising from these warm-from-the-oven treats.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">375g ready-rolled puff pastry</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g brie cheese, well-chilled</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120g cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp honey, for drizzling (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Flour for dusting</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">6cm round cookie cutter</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Mini muffin tin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin. This preparation ensures your bites will come out easily after baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>On a lightly floured surface, unroll the puff pastry sheet, keeping it cold until ready to use. Cold pastry is much easier to work with and will produce flakier results as the cold butter creates steam pockets during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Using a 6cm round cookie cutter, cut out 24 circles from the pastry. You may need to re-roll the scraps to get all 24 circles. Gently press each circle into the cups of your mini muffin tin, creating a small pastry case.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Take your well-chilled brie (cold cheese is much easier to cut) and remove the rind if desired. Cut into 24 small cubes, approximately 1cm in size. The cheese will melt and expand during baking, so don't overfill your pastries.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Place a small cube of brie in each pastry case, then top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. If the cranberry sauce is very runny, drain excess liquid first to prevent soggy pastry bottoms.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the exposed edges of each pastry. This creates that beautiful golden color and helps seal the edges.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>If using, sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves over each bite for a fragrant, herbaceous note that complements the sweet-savory combination.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling. The pastry should be crisp and flaky - if it's still pale after 15 minutes, continue baking but check frequently to avoid burning.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Allow the bites to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before carefully removing. The hot cheese can cause burns, and the brief cooling period allows the filling to set slightly while keeping the bites warm.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Arrange on a serving platter and, if desired, drizzle with a little honey for extra sweetness that beautifully balances the tangy cranberry and rich cheese. Serve warm while the cheese is still soft and melty for the best experience. These bites are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but can be reheated in a 180°C oven for 5 minutes if needed.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 bite
🔥 Calories: 95 calories
🥑 Fat: 6 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 3 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 8 g
🍭 Sugar: 2 g
🍗 Protein: 3 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 15 mg
🧂 Sodium: 120 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can you make puff pastry appetisers ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prepare these appetisers ahead by assembling them up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerating unbaked. Alternatively, freeze fully assembled unbaked bites for up to a month, then bake from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.

What's the best cheese to use for sweet and savoury pastry bites?

Brie is ideal for sweet-savoury pastry bites due to its creamy texture and mild flavour that pairs beautifully with fruit. Camembert offers a stronger taste, while cream cheese provides a milder option. Triple cream cheeses like Saint André or Délice de Bourgogne create extra indulgent results.

How do you prevent soggy bottoms when making pastry appetisers?

To achieve perfectly crisp pastry bases, ensure your filling isn't too wet by draining excess moisture from cranberry sauce. Pre-baking the pastry cases for 5 minutes before adding fillings creates a moisture barrier. Using cold ingredients and a preheated oven also helps achieve that desirable flaky texture.

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