Cranberry Brie Orange Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites make an unforgettable party appetizer that always disappears in seconds. Creamy brie tucked into buttery crescent dough with sweet-tart cranberry and orange is an irresistible combination of flavors. These come together fast and look beautiful with sparkly pistachios and herbs on top—perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to something special on a weeknight.

The first time I made these was for a book club holiday night and everyone swooned. Now I always keep these ingredients around for an impromptu treat.

Ingredients

• Crescent roll dough: Choose a name brand with a rich buttery taste for best flavor and texture
• Flour: For rolling out the dough and preventing stickiness use unbleached all purpose and a light dusting is all you need
• Brie cheese: Buy a wedge with a creamy center and a good rind check the date for freshness
• Orange marmalade: Choose one rich in chunky orange peel for extra zest
• Whole cranberry sauce: Use canned or homemade but make sure it is not the jellied kind so it holds its tangy fruitiness
• Chopped pistachios pecans or walnuts: Pick the freshest nuts you can and toast them briefly in a skillet to coax out their flavor
• Fresh rosemary or candied orange: Adds a festive finish more fragrance and color select bright sprigs or high quality candied peel

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Your Pan

Grease each cup of your mini muffin pan thoroughly with nonstick spray making sure to get all the corners so the bites pop out beautifully baked and intact

Slice the Brie

Cut brie into even petite squares a touch under one inch each keep them cold so they hold their shape until baking this ensures perfect creamy centers that don’t leak

Combine Fruit Sauces

Mix orange marmalade and cranberry sauce together with a spoon in a small bowl you want a thick sticky spoonable mix that will sit nicely on the cheese

Roll and Cut the Dough

Dust your board with a bit of flour and gently unroll the crescent dough with your hands press seams closed and stretch just enough to make a neat rectangle cut the dough into even squares for tidy bites

Fill the Muffin Cups

Gently drop a dough square into each mini muffin cup and press down forming a little cup for each filling tuck in a brie square then a dollop of the fruit mixture right on top

Garnish and Bake

Sprinkle each bite with a few chopped nuts and finish with a small rosemary sprig or a piece of candied orange bake in the oven until golden brown and bubbling hot

Cool and Serve

Rest in the pan for five to ten minutes so the cheese sets slightly then slide bites out with a small offset spatula and serve them warm when the texture and flavor shine

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I love pistachios in these for color and flavor they taste extra special every time I bite into one just like the first Christmas Eve I served them with my grandmother and everyone raved about the nutty crunch

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days for best flavor and texture reheat them in a hot oven instead of the microwave which can make the pastry soggy. To freeze lay the unbaked assembled bites on a baking tray and freeze solid then transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen adding a minute or two to the bake time. These reheat beautifully for a next day snack.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap out the crescent dough for puff pastry if you want a flakier texture just roll and cut the same. If you’re out of brie soft camembert makes a great sub still brings rich creaminess. Try using raspberry or cherry preserves with the cranberry for a twist or switch toasted almonds for the nuts if pistachios are not available.

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Serving Suggestions

Arrange bites on a rustic wooden board with extra sprigs of rosemary or thin curls of orange zest. They make a lively holiday appetizer but are also perfect next to a simple soup for lunch you can drizzle with a touch more orange marmalade right before serving if you love extra sweetness.

Cultural and Historical Context

Fusing French cheese with American holiday flavors makes these bites a modern classic at gatherings. Brie has long been a celebratory cheese and pairing it with tangy cranberries and citrus gives a nod to winter feasts. This style of cheese bread has roots in European entertaining where cheese filled pastry feeds a crowd with minimal fuss and maximum joy.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prepare these bites ahead of time?

It's best to bake and serve them fresh, as the crescent dough is at its flakiest right out of the oven. If you need to prepare in advance, use puff pastry and reheat just before serving.

→ What type of nuts work best for topping?

Pistachios, pecans, or walnuts all add flavor and texture. Choose your favorite or create a mix for extra crunch.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Place cooled bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat briefly in a 350°F oven to refresh the texture.

→ Can I freeze these pastry bites?

Yes, freeze baked bites in a sealed container for up to three months. Reheat in a 350°F oven straight from frozen until warmed through.

→ Are there garnish alternatives to rosemary?

Try small pieces of candied orange peel, fresh thyme or even a light dusting of orange zest for extra color and flavor.