Orange and Cranberry Brie Bites
Entertaining is a great reason for trying new recipes, and these orange and cranberry brie bites will be the hit of your next gathering. The perfect holiday appetizer, they’re a delightful combination of orange, cranberry, and brie textures and flavors, all wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry.
The bright fruity flavors meld magically with the comforting warmth of creamy brie cheese and delicately crisp pastry. They are the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory, showcasing the best of seasonal ingredients.
These pretty appetizers also look as impressive as they taste, so they’re just the thing for holiday gatherings when you want to take the presentation up a notch. Bake a batch to add an elegant touch to your spread, whether it’s an elegant dinner party or a casual gathering around your kitchen island.
What to serve with orange and cranberry brie bites
I have always made these luscious bites to serve as appetizers on their own, usually as part of a larger spread of options for my guests. To add crunch and color to the picture, serve them alongside a selection of fresh vegetables like carrot and celery sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips. The cool veggies make a nice contrast with the warm, melty brie.
While these cranberry bites are made with pastry, you could also serve them with a selection of crackers that also pair well with the filling — water crackers or multigrain crackers to give a crunchy contrast to the soft, gooey filling.
When it comes to beverages, a glass of chilled sparkling wine or champagne will add a festive touch and cleanse the palate between bites. For non-alcoholic options, try a cranberry spritzer made with cranberry juice, soda water, and a splash of lime or a sparkling Christmas punch. Or warm things up with our traditional hot wassail.
You can include these brie bites as part of a larger meal or make them a starter for any course. They are just perfect with a hearty salad, like my Thanksgiving salad with hot bacon dressing. They go just as well with a comforting bowl of soup, such as my roasted butternut squash soup or sweet and savory pumpkin chili.
End your gathering on a sweet note by serving a light, fruity dessert that carries through the flavors of your appetizer. A cranberry-orange tart or a citrus-infused cheesecake would be a delightful finale. Or keep it even more seasonal with my baked apple slices or apple pizza.
Ingredients needed to make these orange and cranberry brie bites
Here’s a quick rundown of each ingredient in these delicious apps and how each contributes the flavor.
- Puff Pastry: Creates a buttery, flaky crust that holds the filling with a delightful texture contrast.
- Brie Cheese: Adds a rich, velvety, and creamy element to the bites.
- Cranberry Sauce: The tangy, sweet sauce adds a burst of flavor and pop of color.
- Orange Zest: Provides a bright, citrusy note that complements and enhances the cranberry sauce.
- Coarse Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness of the cranberry sauce and enhances the overall flavor.
- Raw Pecans: Adds a nutty crunch and earthiness to the bites. You could also sub walnuts or chopped almonds to mix it up.
- Fresh Rosemary: Adding a little sprig to each bite brings in a subtle, savory and aromatic element that pulls all the flavors together.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mini Muffin pan (24 mini muffin tin x 2, if you have it)
- Rolling Pin
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Zester
Frequently asked questions about these orange cranberry brie bites
Besides requests to share the recipe, here are a few other questions and answers about this recipe. Let me know in the comments section if you have a question I haven’t covered, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
What preserves go well with brie?
Feel free to experiment with different jams and preserves in place of cranberry sauce to create exciting new flavor combinations. Some great alternatives include orange marmalade; cherry, apricot, blackberry, raspberry, fig jam or preserves; or even pepper jelly for a spicy kick!
How do I store these cranberry brie bites?
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply bake them at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Can I freeze orange cranberry brie appetizers?
You can freeze the baked bites for up to two months. Bake them and then let them cool completely before placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put them in your freezer for three to four hours. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you are ready to enjoy them, reheat them at 350 degrees until warm throughout.
More Grandma-Approved Recipes To Try
If you like this recipe for orange cranberry brie bite appetizers, you will love these other yummy recipes.
- Best Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Old Fashioned Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
- Bacon Crackers Appetizer
- Cheesy Bacon Spinach Dip
- Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Orange and Cranberry Brie Bites
Equipment
- Mini Muffin pan (24 mini muffin tin x 2, if you have it)
- Rolling Pin
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Zester
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry thawed according to package directions
- 8 ounces Brie cheese
- 1 cup cranberry sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ cup finely chopped raw pecans
- Fresh rosemary sprigs enough for 48 small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place the Brie in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up.
- In a small bowl, stir the cranberry sauce and orange zest together until well combined.
- Generously coat the mini muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- If only using one 24-mini muffin pan, you’ll need to work in two batches.
- Unroll one puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to thin it out until you have a 10 x 14-inch rectangle.
- Cut it lengthwise into 4 strips and crosswise into 6 strips. This will give you 24 squares total, about 2 ½ inches in size.
- Press the pastry squares into the mini muffin pan. Poke a few holes in the bottom of the pastry with a fork.
- Cut the brie in half, then cut that half into 24 pieces. Reserve the other half for the second batch.
- Place one piece of brie into each pastry puff in the mini muffin cup.
- Add a teaspoon of cranberry orange sauce over the brie.
- Sprinkle bites with half of the chopped pecans and half of the salt.
- Cook the muffin tin for 18-20 minutes at 375 degrees until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool in the pans for 3 minutes. Push any spilled brie or cranberry sauce back into the pastry.
- Repeat with the second batch of 24, if needed.
- After cooling, gently transfer the bites to a serving plate and garnish each with a small piece of fresh rosemary.
- Enjoy hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use a variety of jams in place of cranberry sauce, like cherry, apricot, blackberry, raspberry or even pepper jelly for a spicy option!
- Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Â
- Reheat by baking at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, until warmed.Â
- Freeze for later: Bake the bites, then let them cool completely. Then place in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer for 3-4 hours. Once frozen, put them in an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat on 350 degrees until hot when ready to serve.Â
We made this yummy appetizer this year for Thanksgiving. It was a great hit among the adults.