Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – You’ll need a little bit of flour to dust the surface where you’ll be rolling out the dough. This prevents the dough from sticking and ensures it stays easy to work with.
- 8 ounces of crescent dough sheet – Crescent dough is the secret ingredient that makes this appetizer so easy to prepare. It’s pre-made and easy to work with, so it saves you time and effort in the kitchen. If you can’t find a crescent dough sheet, you can also use crescent rolls—just be sure to pinch the seams together to form a solid sheet of dough.
- 8 ounces of brie cheese – Brie is a soft, creamy cheese that’s mild in flavor and melts beautifully. When paired with the cranberry sauce, it creates a deliciously rich and creamy filling for each bite. Be sure to choose a wheel of brie, not slices, as it will be easier to cut into the small pieces you need.
- 1 cup of whole berry cranberry sauce – Whole berry cranberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to brie. The sweetness of the sauce complements the mild brie, while the tartness of the cranberries adds a refreshing contrast. Make sure you’re using whole berry sauce and not the jellied kind, as the whole berries provide a better texture and a more flavorful bite.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs – A sprig of fresh rosemary adds a fragrant, earthy flavor that complements the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the cranberry sauce. It also gives your bites a beautiful finishing touch, making them look even more impressive.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature to get the crescent dough golden brown and crispy without overcooking it. While the oven is heating up, prepare your mini muffin tin. You’ll need a 24-slot mini muffin tin for this recipe, and it’s important to spray the tin with cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking. A light coating is all you need.
2. Roll Out the Crescent Dough
Next, take your crescent dough sheet and roll it out onto a clean surface. Dust the surface lightly with all-purpose flour to prevent the dough from sticking. If you’re using crescent rolls, you’ll need to pinch the seams together to create one long, continuous sheet. Then, using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 24 equal squares.
3. Place the Dough into the Muffin Tin
Now it’s time to form the dough cups. Gently place each square of dough into the mini muffin tin, pressing the dough down slightly to form little cups. You don’t need to be perfect here, as the dough will expand while baking, but you want each square to be nestled into the muffin tin, creating a small indentation for the filling.
4. Add the Brie Cheese
Once your dough is in place, it’s time to add the brie cheese. Cut the brie into small pieces, roughly the size of a marble, and place one piece inside each dough cup. The cheese should fit comfortably inside the dough square, but don’t worry if it’s a little messy—this is part of the charm of these bites. As the brie melts, it will ooze beautifully and create a gooey filling.
5. Top with Cranberry Sauce
Now, for the star of the show—the cranberry sauce! Spoon a generous amount of whole berry cranberry sauce on top of the brie. You want enough sauce to cover the cheese but not so much that it overflows the dough. The cranberry sauce will soften and meld with the brie as it bakes, creating a sweet and tangy combination that’s absolutely irresistible.
6. Add Rosemary Sprigs
The final step before baking is to add a sprig of fresh rosemary on top of each bite. Simply place a small piece of rosemary on top of the cranberry sauce. This adds a fragrant touch to the bites and a burst of fresh flavor that perfectly complements the creamy brie and sweet-tart cranberry.
7. Bake Until Golden Brown
Now that your bites are assembled, it’s time to bake them. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and the brie is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the bites toward the end to make sure the dough doesn’t overbake or burn. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes.
8. Serve and Enjoy
Cranberry Brie Bites are best served warm, right out of the oven. The cheese will still be gooey and the flavors will be at their peak. Serve them on a platter and watch as your guests eagerly grab one after another. These bites are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or as a festive addition to your holiday spread.
Notes
- Cheese Substitutes: If you’re not a fan of brie, you can try other soft cheeses like camembert, goat cheese, or cream cheese. Each will bring a unique flavor and texture to the bites.
- Fruit Options: If cranberries aren’t your thing, try substituting the cranberry sauce with other fruit preserves like apricot jam, fig jam, or raspberry sauce.
- Nuts: For some extra crunch, sprinkle crushed pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top of the cranberry sauce before baking. The nuts will add a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
- Vegan Version: To make these bites vegan, use a plant-based crescent dough (many are naturally dairy-free) and substitute the brie with a vegan cheese. You can also opt for a fruit preserve like blueberry or peach for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian