Whenever the elves finish their shifts and gather for a cozy celebration, I slip a tray of these puff pastry bites into the oven. The smell of buttery pastry, warm Brie, and bright cranberry sauce has everyone floating toward the kitchen like snowflakes in a winter breeze. They look elegant, bake quickly, and make any holiday gathering feel extra special.
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1 wheel Brie cheese
½ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Flour, for dusting the work surface
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly dust your counter with flour.
Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into small squares (about 1½–2 inches each).
Press each square gently into a mini muffin tin.
Cut the Brie into small cubes and place one cube into each pastry cup.
Spoon a small amount of cranberry sauce on top of each piece of Brie.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme if desired, and serve warm while the cheese is irresistibly melty.
Serve immediately — they’re best when warm and gooey.
Garnish the platter with rosemary sprigs for an extra Christmas touch.
These reheat beautifully in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
Orange Zest: Add a tiny bit of orange zest to the cranberry sauce.
Nutty Crunch: Add a pecan half on top before baking.
Savory Swap: Use fig jam or apricot preserves instead of cranberry.