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 eat brie cheese with crackers? ›

Place a brie wheel on parchment paper in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. The cheese will melt on the inside, with the rind staying intact. Use the parchment paper to easily lift the cheese out of the dish for serving. Accompany the melty cheese with crackers, figs, and honey.

How do you soften Brie? ›

Place the dish or skillet on top of a baking sheet (this will make it easier to handle and will also catch any melted cheese). Bake on the middle rack of your heated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the brie softens. Remove from the oven and let the brie sit for 3 to 5 minutes or so.

How to eat brie bites? ›

Bake the Brie bites for 18 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees F, until puffed and golden. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes. Transfer the bites to a serving plate, and garnish with fresh rosemary. Serve hot or at room temperature, and DIG IN!

Should brie be served warm or cold? ›

Serve Brie either at room temperature or warmed (never chilled), to bring out its creamy texture.

What food pairs well with brie cheese? ›

Brie loves being paired with sweet fruit, particularly stone fruits like peaches, figs, apricots and plums. The sweetness and juiciness of stone fruit is a lovely combination with the Brie's creamy texture, making for an easy yet indulgent treat. If stone fruit is out of season, pair Brie with grapes and berries.

Do you take the rind off brie 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.

What meat goes with brie? ›

Salumi (Fancy Word or Umbrella Term for the Vast Realm of Prepared Italian Meats)
  • Salami.
  • Salami Calabrese.
  • Soppressata.
  • Prosciutto.
  • Coppa.
  • Bresaola.
  • Pepperoni.

What cracker is best for brie? ›

Plain saltines, whole grain and multigrain crackers all complement Brie. The cap of a wheel is often removed ( but this is not necessary) and jams or chutneys with or without seeds or nuts are poured on top. A room temperature Brie is soft enough to spread on most crackers, so it becomes a matter of taste preference.

How do you serve brie at a party? ›

Make sure to cut it into wedges, rather than slicing it as you would a block of hard cheese. You won't need to spread Brie to enjoy it — just grab it right off the cheese board. You and your guests can cut a small piece and pair it with a bite of crusty bread (especially a baguette) or some dried fruit.

Are you supposed to eat the hard part 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 I put brie in the microwave? ›

Using a sharp knife, score the top of the cheese in a grid pattern. This will allow the cheese to melt evenly and keep its shape. Place the brie in the Anyday Dish and cover with lid (knob lifted). Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is soft when gently pressed.

How long should I leave brie out to soften? ›

As a rule of thumb, we recommend taking your cheese out of the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

How do you serve brie on a platter? ›

Here's How:

Place the Brie on a cheese stone or a cookie sheet with a slice of parchment paper. 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.

How do you cut brie for a party? ›

Instead of cutting the brie into chunks, use your knife to make long, thin slices. Start at the tip of the wedge and cut along one side. Then, switch to the opposite side of the wedge and cut another thin sliver. Try to keep the cheese wedge-shaped as you slice it.

How do you keep brie warm at a party? ›

Taking to a Party

Cover baked brie loosely with foil to keep warm during transportation. If necessary, re-warm the brie in the microwave oven for a few seconds before serving or place in a warm oven for a few minutes.

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