Cranberry Brie Bites
The holiday season is upon us, and we all know how hectic and stressful it can be to plan and prepare for a party. But fret not, because I’ve got the perfect appetizer that will impress your guests without causing you any additional stress. Let’s make some delightful Cranberry Brie Bites with a tasty fruit topping that is easy to whip up, yet bursting with flavor and originality.
After all, a party is meant to be a time of enjoyment and relaxation, not a source of anxiety!
The Simple Beauty of Brie Bites
Everything I do is focused on simplicity and ease without compromising on taste or originality.
So, let’s keep it wonderfully uncomplicated and prepare some delightful brie bites topped with any fruit of your choice.
The first step is to grab some frozen phyllo cups from your local market and fill them with cubes of creamy brie cheese.
If you happen to have leftover whole cranberry sauce from the holidays, don’t hesitate to use it! Simply add a teaspoon of that delicious sauce on top of each brie-filled cup, sprinkle some chopped pecans, and voilà – you’re all set to impress with these scrumptious brie bites!
Choosing the Perfect Cheese
Speaking of Brie, this soft and creamy cheese is the star of our appetizer show. While you can leave the top rind intact, I personally recommend cutting it off.
When you cut this off it does take away some of the bitter taste and personally, I just prefer that. Plus it helps it melt better which is good when using the little cups.
The Magic of Little Phyllo Cups
The key to making these so easy and cute is the little phyllo cups.
They look really fancy but are inexpensive and the perfect vessel for your cheese.
You can find them in the frozen section of your grocery store.
If you’re planning to use a whole circle of brie, I’d recommend grabbing two packages of these magical cups to ensure you have enough to go around!
Two Fantastic Topping Options
Now, for the toppings that will elevate your Brie Bites to a whole new level of tastiness. First up, if you happen to have some leftover whole cranberry sauce from the holidays, you’re in luck!
Simply top each phyllo cup filled with Brie with a teaspoon of that delightful cranberry goodness. To add a bit of crunch and texture, sprinkle some chopped pecans over the cranberry-topped bites.
But why stop at just one topping option? Let’s get a little fancy here! If you’ve received a wonderful basket from Harry & David or have any fruit jam on hand, you can use that instead.
A dollop of fruit jam, like apricot, blueberry, fig, tomato, or pepper & onion relish, takes these Brie Bites to the next level of flavor. Don’t forget to add chopped nuts of your choice to complement the jam’s sweetness.
Assembling the Brie Bites
Assembling these delectable morsels is a breeze. Once your phyllo cups are neatly arranged on a baking sheet, place a cube of Brie in each cup.
Now comes the fun part – topping them with your chosen jam or cranberry sauce and sprinkling chopped nuts.
If you’re going the cranberry route, you can add a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary as a charming garnish.
Baking to Perfection
With your Brie Bites all dressed up and ready to go, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for a mere 8 minutes.
That’s right, in just 8 minutes, you’ll have warm, gooey, and irresistibly delicious appetizers that will leave your guests asking for more.
Timing is Everything
Since this recipe is so incredibly easy and quick to make, I suggest waiting to assemble the Cranberry Brie Bites on the day of your party.
Keep the phyllo cups frozen until you’re ready to use them. This way, you’ll ensure the bottoms stay crisp and don’t turn soggy before the big event.
Impress and Enjoy!
There you have it – an appetizer that looks and tastes divine, effortlessly adding elegance to your holiday party. With these Cranberry or Jam Brie Bites, you’ll undoubtedly be the queen of the celebration. Pair these with a Cranberry Christmas cocktail to take it over the top!
So, let’s simplify your party preparations and create a delightful atmosphere where you can sit back, relax, and cherish quality time with your loved ones. Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
More Christmas Appetizers With Cheese!
Christmas Tree Ham & Cheese Pull Aparts
Cranberry or Jam Brie Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Packages Phyllo Cups Keep frozen until use
- 1 Wheel Brie Cheese Cut off the rind on all sides
- 1/4 Cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce May also use Apricot Jam, Blueberry Jam, Fig Jam, Tomato Jam or Pepper & Onion Relish
- 2 TB Chopped Pecans May substitute or in addition use Walnuts or Almonds
Garnish
- 2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary Just add a tiny sprig prior to baking when using Cranberry Only
Instructions
- Cut off rind of Brie on all sides
- Cut Brie in 1/2 inch cubes
- Place phyllo cups on baking sheet and place a chunk of Brie in each cup
- Top each cup with the about 1/2 tsp Jam of your choice
- Top each cup with 1/8 tsp of chopped nuts
- If using cranberry add a tiny sprig of rosemary as a garnish
- Bake at 350 for 8 minutes
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