Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is hot enough for the puff pastry to bake evenly and become golden and crisp. While the oven heats up, you can get everything else ready.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

If you’re using frozen puff pastry, make sure to thaw it completely according to the package instructions. Once thawed, unroll the pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to smooth it out if necessary. The puff pastry should be about 12×12 inches.

Cut the puff pastry into 12 squares, each about 3 inches by 3 inches. If you want to make smaller bites, you can reduce the size of the squares. These squares will form the base for each individual Cranberry Brie Bite.

Step 3: Prepare the Brie and Cranberry Sauce

Now, it’s time to prepare the filling for your bites.

• Brie Cheese: Slice the brie into small cubes or thin slices—about 1/2 inch wide. Brie is soft and melts beautifully, so you don’t need to worry about it being too thick. You want it to melt and become gooey within the puff pastry.
• Cranberry Sauce: You can either use store-bought cranberry sauce or make your own. To make homemade cranberry sauce, simply combine fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn. Once done, let it cool.

If you’re using store-bought cranberry sauce, just spoon out the desired amount (about 1 teaspoon per bite) and set it aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Cranberry Brie Bites

Now it’s time to assemble your bites!

• Place a puff pastry square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Add one cube or slice of brie in the center of each pastry square.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the brie. Be careful not to overfill, as it might leak out during baking.
• For a festive touch, you can add a small sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme on top of each bite to enhance the flavor and presentation. This step is optional, but it adds a lovely aroma and makes the bites look even more elegant.

If you want a golden, glossy finish, you can brush the edges of the puff pastry with egg wash. To do this, simply beat one egg with a tablespoon of water and brush the mixture lightly over the edges of the puff pastry squares.

Step 5: Bake the Bites

Once the bites are assembled, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and puffy, and the brie is melting. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to avoid over-browning.

If you used an egg wash, the pastry should have a beautiful golden sheen. If not, the bites will still look lovely and delicious!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the Cranberry Brie Bites are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes. Serve them warm for the best experience, as the brie will still be gooey and the cranberry sauce will be wonderfully sweet and tangy.

These bites are great as appetizers at holiday gatherings, parties, or even a casual snack. They pair perfectly with a glass of white wine, champagne, or even a warm cup of mulled wine during the colder months.