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Easy Cranberry Brie Bites: Perfect Holiday Appetizer

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These Easy Cranberry Brie Bites with Honey and Thyme are the kind of appetizer that looks like you fussed, but secretly comes together in about 20 minutes. Flaky puff pastry cups filled with creamy melted brie, tart cranberry sauce, and a drizzle of honey with fresh thyme.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 8 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 24 small cubes (about 1/2-inch each)
  • 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 3 tablespoons honey, plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus small sprigs for garnish
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Optional: Flaky sea salt
  • Optional: Balsamic glaze

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray your mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Lightly flour your work surface and unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Roll it out slightly to a 10-inch square. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter or glass, cut out 12 rounds. Repeat with the second sheet to get 24 rounds total.
  3. Gently press each pastry round into a cup of the mini muffin tin, making sure it touches the bottom and comes up the sides. Don’t stretch the pastry.
  4. Whisk the egg and water together until smooth. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the edges of each pastry cup with the egg wash.
  5. Bake the cups for 8 minutes until set and just starting to turn golden at the edges. Remove from oven and gently press down the centers with the back of a small spoon.
  6. Drop a cube of brie into each pastry cup. Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves over each one.
  7. Return the tin to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes until the brie is melted and gooey, the cranberry sauce is bubbling, and the pastry edges are deep golden brown.
  8. Let the bites cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes. Use a small spoon or offset spatula to gently lift them out and transfer to a serving platter.
  9. Warm the honey for about 10 seconds in the microwave so it’s runny, then drizzle it over the warm bites. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using, and top each one with a tiny sprig of fresh thyme. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t overwork the puff pastry. Keep everything cold. Remove the brie rind completely. Watch the oven closely. Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead (without egg wash) and refrigerated. Baked bites can be frozen and reheated.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry brie bites, holiday appetizer, puff pastry appetizer, easy appetizer, brie bites, cranberry appetizer

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