Cranberry Brie Bites with Sweet Jams

$To make these tasty cranberry Brie bites, gather the following items: - 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed) - 8 ounces of Brie cheese, cut into small cubes - 1 cup fresh cranberries - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice - 1 egg (beaten) for egg wash You can enhance these bites with a few simple garnishes: - Fresh thyme leaves - Cracked black pepper (optional) If you need to switch things up, here are some ideas: - Use camembert cheese instead of Brie for a different taste. - Swap fresh cranberries for cranberry sauce if that's what you have. - Try maple syrup in place of honey for a sweeter flavor. - Use puff pastry alternatives like phyllo dough for a lighter option. These options keep your recipe flexible while still tasting great! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is key for great texture. In a medium pan, mix fresh cranberries, honey, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Heat this mixture on medium. Stir often until you see the cranberries pop, about 5-7 minutes. Once it bubbles, take it off the heat and let it cool. Next, lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out the thawed puff pastry into an even sheet. Cut the pastry into 3x3 inch squares. You will get about 12 squares. Grease a mini muffin tin with butter or non-stick spray. Place each puff pastry square into the muffin cups. Press the dough gently to fit. Add a small cube of Brie cheese into each cup, centering it for even melting. Then, spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cranberry mixture over each Brie cube. Now, prepare for baking! Use a pastry brush to coat the edges of the puff pastry with a beaten egg. This gives your bites a lovely golden finish. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is deep golden brown. After baking, let the bites cool for a few minutes in the tin. Carefully remove them and enjoy. To make the best puff pastry, start with a good quality sheet. Thaw it properly. It should be cold but pliable. Roll it out gently to avoid breaking. Aim for even thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut your squares neatly to fit in the muffin tin. Press the edges to seal better when adding the filling. This helps keep the filling inside while baking. The cranberry mixture needs just a bit of spice. Adding a sprinkle of cracked black pepper gives a nice kick. Fresh thyme adds herbal notes that really shine. Don't skip the honey; it balances the tartness of cranberries. The lemon juice brightens the flavor. Mix these in the saucepan while cooking the cranberries for the best results. Presentation matters, even for a simple snack. Use a nice platter or wooden board to display the bites. Garnish each bite with a fresh thyme leaf. Arrange them neatly to create a visual feast. You can drizzle some extra honey around the bites for flair. Serve them warm for the best taste and texture. Pro Tips Use Cold Puff Pastry: For the best results, keep your puff pastry cold until you're ready to use it. This helps it puff up beautifully during baking. Experiment with Jams: Feel free to swap the cranberry mixture with your favorite jams or preserves, such as fig or apricot, for a different flavor profile. Customize Cheese Varieties: While Brie is classic, try using other soft cheeses like Camembert or goat cheese for a unique twist on these bites. Make Ahead: You can prepare the cranberry mixture and assemble the bites in advance. Just bake them right before serving for maximum freshness. {{image_4}} You can swap Brie for other creamy cheeses. Goat cheese adds a tangy twist. Cream cheese gives a smooth texture. Try Camembert for a rich flavor. Each cheese type melts well and pairs nicely with cranberry. Cranberries are great, but you can mix it up. Cherries bring sweetness and tartness. Pears add a refreshing crunch. Apples offer a crisp bite. You can even use figs for a unique flair. Each fruit adds its own charm to the bites. For added texture, sprinkle in chopped nuts. Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Fresh herbs like rosemary or sage give a fragrant touch. You can also drizzle honey on top for extra sweetness. These seasonal touches make each bite special and unique. Cranberry Brie bites are great for leftovers. Store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure to let them cool completely before sealing. This helps keep the pastry crisp. You can freeze these bites for later use. Flash freeze them on a baking sheet first. Once they are firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can last for up to two months in the freezer. When ready to eat, bake them directly from frozen. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm. This keeps the pastry flaky and the cheese gooey. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the pastry soggy. Yes, you can prep them early. Make the cranberry mixture and cut the pastry. Store both in the fridge for up to one day. When ready to bake, assemble the bites. Bake them fresh for the best taste and texture. You can use cranberry sauce or dried cranberries. If you use sauce, skip the cooking step. For dried cranberries, chop them and mix with honey and lemon juice. This will keep the sweet and tangy flavor intact. Use gluten-free puff pastry instead of regular. Many stores sell gluten-free options now. Ensure all other ingredients, like cheese and honey, are gluten-free too. This way, you keep the bites tasty for everyone. This blog post covered all you need to make delicious cranberry brie bites. We explored the key ingredients and how to combine them. I shared tips to perfect the puff pastry and enhance flavors. You learned about variations and how to store your bites. Remember, cooking is fun! With a few tweaks, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy creating these tasty treats for your next gathering. You’ll impress your friends and family every time.$

Cranberry Brie Bites with Sweet Jams

Delicious puff pastry bites filled with Brie cheese and a sweet cranberry mixture, perfect for appetizers.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
8 ounces Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
to taste fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)
to taste cracked black pepper (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring it reaches the desired temperature before baking.
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the fresh cranberries, honey, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir the mixture occasionally until the cranberries begin to pop and the mixture bubbles, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry into an even sheet. Cut the pastry into 3x3 inch squares; you should be able to yield about 12 squares from one sheet.
Grease a mini muffin tin with butter or non-stick spray. Carefully place each puff pastry square into the muffin cups, gently pressing the dough to fit the shape of the cup.
Inside each pastry cup, place a small cube of Brie cheese. Make sure it's centered for even melting.
Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of the prepared cranberry mixture over each Brie cube, letting it sit atop without overflowing.
Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the edges of the puff pastry with the beaten egg. This will give the bites a beautiful golden finish when baked.
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is well-risen and deep golden brown.
Once baked, remove the bites from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes in the muffin tin before gently removing them.
For an elegant touch, garnish each cranberry Brie bite with fresh thyme leaves and add a light sprinkle of cracked black pepper if desired for an extra flavor dimension.

Notes

Garnish with fresh thyme and cracked black pepper for added flavor.

Keyword appetizer, Brie, cranberry, puff pastry