Cranberry Brie Bites are a stunning and surprisingly easy holiday appetizer to make! The combination of melty brie cheese with sweet cranberry sauce wrapped in buttery crescent dough creates an irresistible treat. I made a double batch of these to take to a party recently and had to keep swatting Paul and the girls away because they were trying to sneak them when I wasn’t looking. What makes Cranberry Brie Bites so great is their versatility and ease – simple enough for a quick weeknight snack but elegant enough to serve at a holiday party. Plus, they are a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce in a new way during the holiday season! Love cranberries? You won’t want to miss my other delicious cranberry creations, such as Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese, White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Fudge, Cranberry Sauce Muffins, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, and Cranberry Fluff Salad!
Why We Love This Recipe
These Cranberry Brie Bites are incredibly easy to make, taking just minutes to assemble and bake, making them a perfect last-minute appetizer for holiday parties or family gatherings! The combination of creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent roll dough creates the ultimate blend of textures and flavors in every bite. You can customize these bites with various toppings like pecans, rosemary, or even a drizzle of honey, making them adaptable to your taste preferences or whatever you have in your pantry!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Crescent Roll Dough – The flaky, buttery base that holds everything together. If you prefer, you can substitute with puff pastry or mini phyllo cups for a slightly different texture. Brie Cheese – Creamy, rich, and melty when baked. Don’t remove the white rind – it adds a lovely depth of flavor. Whole Cranberry Sauce – Sweet and tangy cranberry sauce complements the brie perfectly. You can use Homemade Cranberry Sauce, leftover cranberry sauce, or substitute with a favorite jam like apricot or raspberry. Chopped Pecans – Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Feel free to swap for walnuts, pistachios, or almonds if that’s more your style. Rosemary – Fresh rosemary sprigs add a festive touch and a hint of herby flavor to balance the richness of the cheese and sweetness of the sauce.
How to Make Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
Tips for Success
For a cranberry sauce that really wows, ditch the jar and go with my Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe – it’s pure magic in every bite! Make sure to let the bites cool for about 10 minutes after baking to ensure they hold their shape and don’t fall apart when you take them out of the muffin tin. Using a pizza cutter is much easier than using a knife and ensures all your crescent dough squares are uniform, so they bake evenly. Cold brie is easier to slice into even pieces, which makes assembly quicker and cleaner. Feel free to experiment with different jams, nuts, or even adding a drizzle of honey on top for an extra layer of flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
If you prefer a flakier texture, puff pastry dough is a great substitute for crescent roll dough if you prefer a lighter, crispier bite. If melted brie cheese isn’t your thing, goat cheese or even cream cheese works well. The creamy texture pairs wonderfully with cranberry sauce. Not a fan of cranberry sauce? Use cranberry jelly instead, or a different jam entirely such as apricot jam, raspberry jam, or orange marmalade! And a spicy pepper jelly will give these easy bites a unique twist! Swap pecans for other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios, or leave the nuts out entirely for a nut-free version. For a different herb twist, try using thyme or a tiny drizzle of balsamic glaze instead of rosemary.
More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love
Cranberry Cheesecake Cranberry Orange Muffins Festive Cranberry Coconut Cake Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Easy Cranberry Apple Pie Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
For a more substantial spread, offer these bites as part of a festive Charcuterie Board loaded with crackers, cured meats, and other cheeses to give your guests plenty of snacking options!
