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

There’s something so irresistibly cozy about these little Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe—flaky crescent roll dough hugging warm, gooey brie with a pop of tart homemade cranberry sauce. It’s the perfect bite-sized blend of sweet and savory that always feels special, whether you’re hosting guests or sneaking one straight from the oven.

The image shows several small puff pastry cups placed on a white marbled surface. Each pastry cup has a golden brown, flaky outer layer that folds up around a bright red, glossy cranberry filling in the center. Some of the cups have small green herb leaves on top as decoration. Around the pastries, there are frosted red cranberries scattered, adding a festive touch. To the side, there is a white ramekin filled with more glossy cranberry sauce. In the background, there are a few white wedges of soft cheese. The photo is well-lit with a soft focus, highlighting the textures and colors of the pastries and fillings. 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’ve made these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe countless times for everything from holiday parties to casual date nights at home, and they always pull through as a crowd-pleaser. They’re simple yet elegant, plus every element complements each other beautifully.

Easy Assembly: The ingredients come together quickly, making this a painless appetizer when you’re short on time.
Perfect Flavor Balance: Creamy brie paired with bright cranberry sauce creates a sophisticated, yet familiar, combo that everyone loves.
Versatile for Any Occasion: These bites feel fancy enough for celebrations but are effortless enough for everyday snacking.
Miniature And Shareable: Bite-sized portions make them easy to pass around and hard to resist, no mess, no fuss.

A close-up of a small pastry held between a woman's hand's fingers, showing two layers: the outer layer is golden brown, flaky, and slightly puffed dough that curls inward at the edges, and the inner layer is a thick, dark red, chunky fruit filling that looks rich and juicy, some of which slightly spills over the dough edges. The background is softly blurred with warm tones, and the surface beneath has a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is deceptively simple, but each ingredient is carefully chosen to create the ultimate flavor and texture. Plus, I’ve got some tips on picking the best versions for your kitchen adventure.

Flat lay of a fresh, unrolled crescent roll dough sheet gently folded at the seams, a small wedge of creamy brie cheese with its rind visible, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with homemade cranberry sauce rich with whole cranberries, all 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: Using store-bought crescent roll dough saves time and gives you that buttery, flaky crust without lifting a finger.
Brie Cheese: Look for a creamy, ripe brie—it melts beautifully and offers a mild, buttery richness that works perfectly here.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Fresh cranberry sauce adds the perfect tart, slightly sweet contrast; making your own keeps it vibrant and natural.

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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

One thing I love about this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can tweak the fillings or toppings depending on your mood or what you have on hand, without losing any of the magic.

Variation: I once swapped cranberry sauce for a dollop of fig jam, and it was a total hit—deliciously sweet with that creamy brie bite.
Dietary tweaks: For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
Seasonal spins: Swap cranberry for apple butter or a smear of pumpkin puree with a dash of cinnamon in the fall.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Dough with Care

First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F so it’s ready when you are. Then, gently unroll your crescent roll dough, and press along the seams to seal them. This prevents the cheese from oozing out later. Cut the dough into roughly 18 rectangles—don’t stress about precision here; these are charming little bites after all! Nestle each piece into the cups of your mini muffin tin, letting the dough hug the base but not necessarily climb the sides fully. This sets the stage for crisp, golden pockets.

Step 2: Brie It Up

Slice your brie into 18 small, even chunks. The size matters because you want the cheese to melt perfectly inside the dough without overwhelming it. Pop a piece into each dough-lined muffin cup—you’ll already start smelling that warm, buttery goodness!

Step 3: The Cranberry Kiss

Top each brie cube with about a teaspoon of your homemade cranberry sauce. This vibrant, tart topping balances the richness of the cheese and adds such a festive pop of flavor. Try not to overfill since the sauce will bubble as it bakes.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the bites for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the dough to be beautifully golden and crispy, and the cheese & cranberry sauce bubbling happily on top. Keep an eye towards the end so they don’t overbrown — those few minutes make all the difference between perfectly baked and crispy burnt edges.

Step 5: Serve Immediately and Enjoy

Right when they come out of the oven, carefully remove each bite from the muffin tin and set them somewhere friends and family can grab quickly. Serving them warm guarantees gooey, melty brie and that irresistible scent that gets everyone excited.

Top Tip

After making this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks to get these little bites just right every single time. These tips helped me avoid soggy or underbaked dough and enhance flavor.

Seal Those Seams: Press the crescent roll dough seams firmly to stop the cheese from leaking out during baking.
Even Pieces of Brie: Cut your brie into equal bite-sized pieces for consistent melting and neat bites.
Don’t Overfill: Keep the cranberry topping to about a teaspoon so it stays on top without overflowing.
Serve Warm: These are best eaten right out of the oven when the cheese is melty and the crust still crisp.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like topping mine with a little fresh thyme or a tiny sprig of rosemary. It adds a beautiful herbal aroma and looks super festive without overpowering the flavors. A little cracked black pepper can also add a surprising but delightful kick.

Side Dishes

Serve these bites alongside a fresh green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette to balance the richness. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of crisp white wine or your favorite sparkling cider—a perfect touch for any gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe on a large wooden board surrounded by seasonal fruit, nuts, and fresh herbs for a holiday party. It looked stunning, felt inviting, and encouraged everyone to snack leisurely while chatting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These bites are best fresh, but if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When it comes time to eat, I recommend reheating them gently to bring back that crispy crust without drying out the cheese.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before baking by assembling them in the muffin tin and wrapping tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, just pop them in a preheated oven, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a lifesaver for last-minute entertaining!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftover bites into a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This warms them through and crisps the outer dough again without turning them rubbery as microwave reheating can do.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce in the Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought cranberry sauce works well and saves time, but homemade cranberry sauce often tastes fresher and lets you control sweetness and texture.

What type of brie is best for this recipe?

Choose a creamy, mild brie with a white rind that melts well. Avoid overly aged or very strong-smelling varieties to keep the flavor balanced and approachable.

Can I prepare the bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the bites ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before baking. This is great for prepping in advance for parties.

Are these Cranberry Brie Bites gluten-free?

The recipe as written uses crescent rolls, which contain gluten. For a gluten-free version, try using gluten-free puff pastry or crescent dough alternatives that you’re confident will hold up in the oven.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become one of my go-to appetizers because it never disappoints. It’s simple comfort wrapped in flaky dough, with a burst of bright cranberry that just sings. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to keep them in your party arsenal and treat yourself on cozy nights in. I’m rooting for you to try it and enjoy every gooey, tangy, buttery bite just like I do!