I love serving easy appetizers when I have people over. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite cranberry brie recipes. These simple party starters are perfect for any gathering, making your hosting job much easier.
You’ll find a variety of ways to enjoy the wonderful mix of creamy brie and bright cranberries. I think you will love how quickly these come together, leaving you more time to enjoy with your guests!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Cranberry Brie Bites: Easy Party Appetizers
- 2. Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Stars: Festive Treats
- 3. Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Cups: Simple Appetizer
- 4. Cranberry Pecan Brie Wrapped In Puff Pastry: Showstopper Recipe
Cranberry Brie Bites: Easy Party Appetizers
These small bites are perfect for any party or get-together. They are easy to make and everyone always enjoys them.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Brie Cheese: Cut the brie into small pieces. It melts beautifully inside the pastry.
- Cranberry Sauce: Use canned or homemade sauce. A little tang balances the cheese well.
- Mini Phyllo Shells: These are pre-made and save you lots of time. Just fill them and bake.
What You Need
- 1 (8 oz) wheel of brie cheese, rind removed
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 2 packages (15 count each) mini phyllo shells
- Optional: chopped pecans for garnish
⏱️ Time: 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 30 bites
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Phyllo Shells
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the mini phyllo shells on a baking sheet. This helps them stay neat during baking.
Step 2: Fill Shells
Cut the brie into small cubes. Place one small cube of brie into each phyllo shell. Top the brie with about half a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
Step 3: Bake Bites
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the brie is melted and bubbly and the shells are golden. Serve them warm.
📝 Final Note
For best results, serve these bites fresh from the oven when the cheese is still warm and gooey. They are best when just baked.
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Stars: Festive Treats
Make your appetizers look extra festive with these star-shaped treats. They look fancy but are surprisingly simple to prepare.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Puff Pastry: Thaw it in the fridge overnight. Cold pastry puffs up best when baked.
- Star Cutters: Use cookie cutters for fun shapes. Different sizes can add variety.
- Egg Wash: Brush the pastry with a beaten egg. This gives a beautiful golden shine to your stars.
What You Need
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 wheel (4 oz) brie cheese, rind removed
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: fresh rosemary sprigs
⏱️ Time: 25 mins🍽️ Yields: 12-15 stars
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Pastry
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Unroll the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Use a star cookie cutter to cut out star shapes.
Step 2: Assemble Stars
Place half of the stars on a baking sheet. Cut a smaller star shape from the center of the remaining stars. Place these star frames on top of the full stars on the baking sheet.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Place a small dollop of brie and cranberry sauce in the center of each star. Brush the pastry edges with the beaten egg. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden and puffed.
📝 Final Note
You can assemble these stars ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Bake them just before your guests arrive for fresh, warm treats.
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Cups: Simple Appetizer
These individual brie cups are a cozy and delightful appetizer idea. They bring together sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans in a neat package.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Wonton Wrappers: Use these instead of pastry for a lighter feel. They get nice and crispy in the oven.
- Pecans: Toast them lightly before adding to the mix. This makes their nutty flavor stand out more.
- Muffin Tin: Press the wonton wrappers into a greased muffin tin. This creates perfect little cups for your filling.
What You Need
- 1 package wonton wrappers
- 1 (8 oz) wheel of brie cheese, rind removed
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
⏱️ Time: 25 mins🍽️ Yields: 24 cups
How to Make It
Step 1: Form Cups
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, forming a cup shape.
Step 2: Fill Cups
Cut the brie into small cubes. In a separate bowl, mix the cranberry sauce and chopped pecans. Place a cube of brie into each wonton cup, then top with the cranberry pecan mixture.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers are golden brown and crispy and the brie is melted. Drizzle with maple syrup if you like.
📝 Final Note
These cups are best enjoyed warm, right after they come out of the oven. The warm brie and crispy wonton are perfect together.
Cranberry Pecan Brie Wrapped In Puff Pastry: Showstopper Recipe
This beautiful baked brie wheel is a real showstopper for any occasion. It’s easy to slice and share at any gathering.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Whole Brie Wheel: Choose a nice round brie. It looks fantastic when baked whole.
- Puff Pastry Sheet: Make sure it’s fully thawed but still cold. This helps you handle it easily.
- Scoring the Pastry: Lightly score the top of the pastry before baking. This makes it look nice and helps steam escape.
What You Need
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 (8 oz) wheel of brie cheese
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish
⏱️ Time: 35 mins🍽️ Yields: 8-10 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Brie
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out the thawed puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the brie wheel in the center of the pastry.
Step 2: Top and Wrap
Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the brie. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Carefully bring the edges of the puff pastry up and over the brie, sealing it completely. Trim any excess pastry.
Step 3: Bake Golden
Flip the wrapped brie over so the seams are on the bottom. Brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg. You can score a simple design on top if you like. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
📝 Final Note
Let the baked brie rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese settle a bit and makes serving easier.
