Description
Cranberry Brie Bites: Irresistible appetizers with gooey brie, tangy cranberry, and flaky pastry – the perfect crowd-pleasing treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (15 count each) mini phyllo shells
- 8 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 30 small pieces (about 1/2-inch cubes)
- 1/3 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry preferred)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios or walnuts (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, remove the phyllo shells from packaging and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. No need to thaw them – they’ll crisp up perfectly from frozen. Carefully cut the chilled brie into 30 small cubes, removing the white rind as you go. In a small bowl, combine the cranberry sauce with honey and half of the orange zest, stirring to create a more spreadable consistency.
- Step 2: Assemble The Bites Place a piece of brie into each phyllo cup, gently pressing it down to fit. The cheese should fill about two-thirds of each cup, leaving room for the cranberry topping. Spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the cranberry-honey mixture on top of each cheese piece. Be careful not to overfill – the mixture will bubble slightly while baking. If you’re adding nuts, sprinkle a few pieces over each cup now.
- Step 3: Bake To Perfection Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. You’re looking for the phyllo to become golden at the edges and the brie to melt completely. Keep a close eye starting at the 5-minute mark – the difference between perfectly melted and overcooked can be just a minute! Once the cheese is bubbly and the shells are crisp, remove the **Cranberry Brie Bites** from the oven.
- Step 4: Garnish And Serve While still warm, sprinkle the remaining orange zest and fresh thyme leaves over your **Cranberry Brie Bites**. This final touch adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that complements the warm, creamy filling. Let them cool for just 1-2 minutes – you want them warm but not tongue-burning hot. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy while the brie is still gloriously melty! These bites are best served within 15 minutes of baking for the ideal texture contrast.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg