Cranberry Brie Bites

Made from crescent dough, cranberry sauce, and beloved brie, these cranberry brie bites are one of our most popular Thanksgiving appetizers of all time (for very good reason). This bite-sized app has everything you could ever want in a holiday appetizer, all in one bite: a flaky pastry base, sweet cranberry sauce, rich, cheesy brie, and crunchy pecans. Ready in a little over 30 minutes, these bites are the perfect last-minute appetizer that just might steal the show at your Thanksgiving dinner (sorry, roast turkey). 

Keep reading on for all of our tips on how to perfect these easy bites, and vary them for every occasion:

What crescent roll dough should I use?
We used crescent roll sheets, but the regular kind will work too—just roll it out and pinch together the seams, then cut into squares. Whichever type you use, try to cut your squares as evenly as possible so that they will fit uniformly into the mini muffin pan. Centering the dough in each muffin tin will ensure that the dough comes evenly up the sides, creating an even nest for the cheese.

We love to use crescent roll dough in this recipe because of how easy and delicious it is, but feel free to swap in frozen puff pastry instead.

Do I need to take the rind off the brie?
Leave the rind on! For cheeses with an edible rind like brie, leaving the rind on will help keep the cheese from spreading too much while baking. Tip: Keep your cheese super cold before slicing. Freezing isn't necessary, but a good chill will make slicing a breeze. 

What jam goes best in these bites?
We think the cranberry sauce gives the most festive flair to these bites, but your options don't stop there. The best part about this recipe is its balance, and versatility. Once you’ve got the method down, you can create your own combos of creamy, sweet, salty, and herby. Just keep in mind that each brie bite needs about one teaspoon of your preserve of your choice. 

We also love our baked feta bites and caramelized onion & goat cheese bites, but here are a few other pairing ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
— Crumbled goat cheese + apricot preserves + toasted almonds + thyme
— Camembert + cherry preserves + crumbled bacon + black pepper
— Brie + hot pepper jelly + candied pecans + thyme
— Feta + roasted red pepper + minced shallots + thyme

Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! Simply prep them the night before and keep in the fridge until you're ready to bake the next day. We recommend serving the assembled bites warm, but room temp also works.

Storage and freezing.
If you have any leftover bites you plan on eating throughout the week, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Once ready to enjoy again, reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best crescent roll texture. If you’d like to freeze these bites, place them in a freezer safe bag before storing in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once ready to eat, defrost in the fridge before reheating in the oven. 

Made these? Let us know how it went in the comment section below.