Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites - Holiday Appetizer Recipe (2024)

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Sparkling cranberry brie bites are made with sugared cranberries, crackers, jam, and brie cheese are a beautiful and easy holiday appetizer perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve.

I’m so happy to share one of my favorite festive holiday recipes with you! Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites are very easy to make and incredibly impressive looking – and tasting. This sugared cranberry appetizer has long been one of my most popular recipes. I just love how beautiful and tasty these are. They are a must make for any holiday party.

The sweet and tart cranberries go so well with the creamy cheese and crunchy crackers. If you like spice, try using pepper jelly instead of the cranberry jam or chutney. Vegan friends, try almond milk based soft ripened cheese from Kite Hill.

If you would like to have this recipe in a beautiful glossy hard cover cookbook, be sure to pick up a copy of theYummy Mummy Kitchen cookbook. There’s a spring/summer version of this recipe in the book too

Fresh cranberries are only in season from about October through December, making this appetizer all the more special. Tart cranberries get the perfect amount of sweetness from a dip in maple syrup and a coating of organic sugar. We love these sugared cranberries as a treat all on their own. They are also terrific on any holiday dessert or cheese board.

How to Make Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

Sugar the Cranberries

The first step in making these beautiful holiday appetizers is to sugar the cranberries. It’s easy, and you can do this step a day or even two in advance, and then assemble just before serving.

Assemble the Bites

Once the cranberries are sugared to glittery perfection, we are ready to assemble. Top the crackers with a slice of your favorite Brie type of creamy cheese. Since I don’t use much dairy anymore, I prefer to use a nut-based “cheese” from Kite Hill. There are so many great tasting dairy free cheeses these days. I also love using a goat cheese style nut cheese from Treeline.

The chutney helps glue everything together. You could use our homemade Cranberry Chutney, or a store bought one.

Fresh cranberries are only available this time of year, so grab a bag the next time you’re at the market and sugar those babies up. Last year I used sugared cranberries to top a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, but they’re also a nice low-guilt treat to satisfy your sweet tooth on their own.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites - Holiday Appetizer Recipe (6)

Some sparkling shoes are obviously a must when you’re enjoying sparking hors d’oeuvres. Santa, Darling, every gal needs a pair of these Glitter Louboutins for the Holidays. Santa? Yummy Hubby? You listening?

If these beauties don’t get you into the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. Red, sparkling, sweet, tart, and creamy, these Sparkling Cranberry Brie Crackers have everything you could want in a fall or winter hors d’oeuvres.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites - Holiday Appetizer Recipe (7)

Yield: about 16

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Sparkling cranberry brie bites are made with sugared cranberries, crackers, jam, and brie cheese are a beautiful and easy holiday appetizer perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve. To make this a vegan holiday appetizer, use Kite Hill soft cheese.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites - Holiday Appetizer Recipe (8)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup good maple syrup
  • 1 cup organic granulated sugar
  • 16 crackers
  • 8 oz. Brie cheese or Kite Hill almond based soft ripened cheese
  • cranberry chutney or cranberry relish
  • fresh mint for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.
  3. Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Notes

You can make the sugared cranberries up to one day in advance. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 218Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites - Holiday Appetizer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to serve brie cheese as an appetizer? ›

But brie can also be a great appetizer, paired with fruit, meat, puff pastry, jam, or crackers. Acidity is a lovely counterpart to this cheese's creamy, velvety nature. It spreads perfectly on bread for a quick snack any time.

Can you eat brie bites cold? ›

Store baked cranberry Brie bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Enjoy them cold or reheat in the oven or microwave.

How to reheat frozen brie bites? ›

Store the frozen bites in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350 degree F oven until hot.

What kind of jelly goes with brie? ›

This is one of my favorite easy and elegant ways to dress up an appetizer platter. Baked brie with Pepper Jelly is a wheel of creamy brie, cut in half with pepper jelly in the middle, and wrapped with puff pastry.

Do you take the rind off brie before baking? ›

Do you take the rind off before baking? Keep the rind on, as it will help the cheese hold its shape so it doesn't all melt out. The rind is also edible, so you can enjoy it with the melted cheese, or simply remove the top layer after baking and dunk in crusty bread like a fondue.

Is brie good for your gut? ›

Based on some studies, there are many health benefits of eating brie cheese. According to some studies, it might reduce inflammation and improve immunity. It might also aid in digestion if had in moderation.

What pairs well with brie? ›

Apple slices, grapes, or figs work well. They add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the brie.

Is brie cheese healthy for weight loss? ›

It's rich in fat and protein, along with calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. If eaten in moderation, brie may promote feelings of fullness and aid appetite control, which can promote weight loss. If you're interested in this cheese, try it baked as a delectable side — or eat it on its own as a snack.

Do you eat the rind of Brie? ›

Not only can you eat the rind, you should eat the rind. Technically, the rind is mold, usually Penicillium candidum, but it's good mold! The rind protects the cheese on the inside and helps to give the cheese its flavor. You're missing out on a big part of the flavor and textural experience if you do not eat the rind.

Can you microwave Brie? ›

Cut the top rind off the brie and place in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Depending on the ripeness of the cheese, it will take 60 to 90 seconds on high to heat and melt. If brie is not yet soft and hot after 1 minute, place it back in microwave for another 30 seconds on high.

How should you eat Brie? ›

You can eat it at room temperature, hot, spread it on a cracker, slice it in a sandwich, melt it, top it, and the list goes on. What is this? Should brie be served warm or cold? It's best if you serve it at room temperature or warm for the best taste and texture.

How is brie traditionally served? ›

While brie is normally served with crusty bread or crackers, it can be paired with a variety of fruits, nuts, or honey. Allowing your culinary creations to be as adventurous as you are. To eat Brie, first remove it from your refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

What is the best way to serve brie on a charcuterie board? ›

Here's How:

Bake the Brie for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a cheese platter. Drizzle with honey and add pieces of walnuts to the top. Serve with sliced baguette or crackers.

What is the etiquette for brie cheese? ›

Brie etiquette

Never cut the tip or corners off of the Brie; this act of “pointing the Brie” is a huge faux pas and will never go over well. It is a general rule that you should always cut a block of cheese as to not misshapen it; that being said, it is advisable to cut Brie, as if cutting pieces of a cake, in slices.

How do you cut brie for serving? ›

Consider making long, narrow slices.

If you want to be a Brie rule follower, make sure to slice the wheel in long, narrow pieces from tip to rind.

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