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

There’s something about the sweet-tart pop of cranberry paired with creamy, melty brie that gets me every time. These little treats are why I keep coming back to this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe—they’re festive, simple, and seriously delicious.

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

Honestly, I’ve served these cranberry brie bites at everything from casual get-togethers to fancy holiday parties, and they’re always the first to disappear. They strike a perfect balance between sweet, savory, and buttery – plus, they're ridiculously easy to whip up.

Effortless prep: You only need three main ingredients, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Perfect bite size: Little finger foods that are great for mingling and snacking without the mess.
Flavor-packed combo: Tangy cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy brie and flaky crescent dough.
Versatile for occasions: Whether it’s date night, holiday parties, or casual brunch, these bites fit right in.

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 Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is beautiful in its simplicity, letting each ingredient shine while playing off each other perfectly. Pro tip: using homemade cranberry sauce really makes a difference, but store-bought works if you're in a pinch.

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: Flaky, buttery dough that crisps up nicely and holds all the fillings without overpowering the flavors.
Brie cheese: Creamy and mild, brie melts easily, making every bite luscious and indulgent.
Homemade cranberry sauce: Offers that fresh, tangy sweetness; it’s the star flavor to contrast the rich brie.

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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

I love tweaking this recipe to match whatever mood or occasion I’m in. You can easily add a few tweaks that put your signature spin on these cranberry brie bites.

Variation: Adding a sprinkle of chopped fresh rosemary or thyme on top before baking adds a lovely herbal aroma that pairs beautifully with the cranberry-brie combo.
Diet-friendly twist: Try using gluten-free crescent dough if you’re watching gluten, and the bites still come out scrumptious.
Seasonal update: Swap homemade cranberry sauce for a spiced pear chutney during fall for a cozy vibe.

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

Step 1: Prep the dough with care

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Roll out the crescent dough, then gently press the seams together so you get a more uniform dough sheet. Cut it into 18 rectangles – try to keep them roughly the same size so the bites bake evenly. Each piece fits into the cup of a mini muffin tin; you don’t need the dough to come all the way up the sides, just enough to hold the fillings.

Step 2: Brie slices ready to melt

Cut the brie into 18 small pieces, about the size of a bite. I like to remove the rind if I want a milder texture, but that’s totally up to you—it’s edible and adds to the flavor. Place a piece of brie right into each dough cup; it’s what makes these bites so creamy and irresistible.

Step 3: Top with cranberry sauce

Add about a teaspoon of your cranberry sauce on top of each brie piece. It’s that lovely burst of brightness contrasting with the rich cheese and flaky dough. Don’t overload the sauce here — you want just enough to complement.

Step 4: Bake to golden perfection

Pop your muffin tin in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough is golden and the brie has melted into a bubbly dream. Don’t wander off too far — you want that perfect color and melty texture without burning.

Step 5: Serve warm and enjoy

Once out of the oven, carefully remove the bites from the muffin tin immediately. These little treats are best enjoyed warm when the brie is still melty and the cranberry sauce is bubbling just a bit. Trust me, it’s magic!

Top Tip

From many attempts making Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a huge difference in flavor and ease. These tips save you from common hiccups and help you impress every time.

Seams matter: Pressing the crescent roll seams together before cutting ensures the dough won’t separate while baking.
Watch the bake time: Since oven temperatures vary, start checking at 10 minutes so you don’t overbake and dry out the bites.
Use a mini muffin tin: It perfectly shapes the bites and prevents the dough from spreading too thin.
Serve warm: Brie tastes the best melted and gooey; waiting too long makes it firm back up, so plan serving accordingly.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I make these cranberry brie bites, I love adding a fresh sprig of thyme or a tiny sliver of toasted pecan on top before serving—it adds a little texture and that fresh green pop that looks so inviting.

Side Dishes

Pair these bites with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette or a simple charcuterie board with assorted nuts and olives for a well-rounded appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I place the cranberry brie bites on a rustic wooden platter lined with fresh rosemary sprigs and scatter pomegranate seeds around for a festive look. Little touches like these elevate the presentation beautifully without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 2 days, though honestly, I’ve rarely had any leftovers because everyone loves these too much!

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked cranberry brie bites after assembling them in the muffin tin. Just wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. When ready, bake straight from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Reheat leftover bites in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until warm and melty again. Microwave works in a pinch but might cause the dough to get a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! While homemade cranberry sauce adds a fresh, bright flavor, store-bought works just fine and saves time.

What can I substitute for brie cheese?

If you’re not a brie fan, camembert or a mild cream cheese can work as alternatives, though the flavor profile will be a bit different.

Can I make these cranberry brie bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the bites in the muffin tin and refrigerate them for a few hours, then bake just before serving for fresh, warm bites.

What’s the best way to prevent the dough from sticking to the muffin tin?

I recommend lightly greasing your mini muffin tin or using non-stick spray so the bites release easily without tearing or sticking.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become a little tradition in my kitchen—something I reach for when I want quick, crowd-pleasing appetizers that feel a bit special. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. Trust me, once you try them warm and fresh from the oven, you’ll understand why these bites are pure magic!