I love making easy appetizers that bring smiles, especially when they feature classic pairings like brie and cranberries. These two recipes are perfect for your next get-together or just a nice weekend treat. You’ll find they are simple to make and always a hit.
I’ve put together two of my favorite cranberry and brie bites for you. They use similar ingredients but offer different textures and looks. Both are quick to prepare, so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying.
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Cranberry Brie Mini Hand Pies: A Simple Appetizer
These mini hand pies are perfect little bites for any gathering, big or small. They bring together sweet cranberries and creamy brie cheese in a flaky, golden pastry shell.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Hand Pies
- Puff Pastry: Use good quality store-bought puff pastry for a quick start. Make sure to thaw it fully in the fridge before you plan to use it.
- Cranberry Sauce: Both homemade or a good quality canned cranberry sauce will work here. For a smoother filling, you can use jellied sauce.
- Brie Cheese: Cut the brie into small, even cubes. This helps it melt nicely and spread out inside each hand pie.
What You Need for Cranberry Brie Hand Pies
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz brie cheese, rind removed, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- A pinch of fresh thyme, chopped (optional, for garnish)
⏱️ Time: Prep: 15 mins, Bake: 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 12 mini hand pies
How to Make Cranberry Brie Mini Hand Pies
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface and gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet just a little bit to smooth it.
Step 2: Fill and Fold
Cut the puff pastry into 12 equal squares. Place about a teaspoon of cranberry sauce in the center of each square, then top with a few cubes of brie. Fold each square in half to form a triangle, pressing the edges together firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for an extra seal.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the sealed hand pies on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each pie with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until they are puffed up and turn a beautiful golden brown color. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note on Hand Pies
These hand pies are best served warm so the brie is nice and melty. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature and warm them slightly before eating.
Easy Cranberry Brie Tartlets for Your Party
These tartlets are simple to make and look elegant on any appetizer platter you create. The sweet-tart cranberries pair so well with gooey brie in a crisp, ready-made shell.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Tartlets
- Mini Phyllo Shells: These are a real time-saver! You can find them in the freezer section of most grocery stores. No thawing needed, just fill and bake.
- Cranberry Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite cranberry sauce. For a nice color contrast, I like using whole berry sauce.
- Adding Crunch: For extra texture, try adding a few chopped pecans or walnuts over the brie before baking.
What You Need for Cranberry Brie Tartlets
- 1 package (15 count) frozen mini phyllo shells
- 4 oz brie cheese, rind removed, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- Fresh rosemary sprigs or chopped pecans (optional, for garnish)
⏱️ Time: Prep: 10 mins, Bake: 12 mins🍽️ Yields: 15 tartlets
How to Make Cranberry Brie Tartlets
Step 1: Get Ready to Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen mini phyllo shells directly onto a baking sheet. There’s no need to thaw them first.
Step 2: Fill Each Shell
Carefully spoon a small amount of cranberry sauce into the bottom of each phyllo shell. You want just enough to cover the bottom. Then, place a few small cubes of brie cheese on top of the cranberry sauce in each shell.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the brie cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the phyllo shells are lightly golden around the edges. Take them out of the oven and serve them warm right away.
📝 Final Note on Tartlets
For a nice presentation, you can garnish these tartlets with a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or a sprinkle of chopped pecans right after they come out of the oven.
