Party food doesn’t have to be complicated – or expensive, for that matter.
These cranberry Brie bites in mini toast cups are the perfect example of how you can take simple, affordable ingredients and turn them into something elegant and festive, perfect for any holiday table.
Instead of using puff pastry, which can also feel heavy and calorie-dense, this recipe uses plain bread slices to create golden, crunchy toast cups.
Filled with creamy Brie, tart cranberry jam, and a sprinkle of walnuts and rosemary, these little bites are a classic flavor combo that looks super pretty and is guaranteed to impress all the guests!
What You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients for these easy holiday appetizers:
- Bread slices (white or wholemeal, although white looks a bit more elegant)
- Brie cheese, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Cranberry jam or sauce
- Crushed walnuts that will add a bit of contrast and crunch to the recipe
- Fresh or dried rosemary for garnish
- Olive oil for brushing
How to Make These Cranberry Brie Bites
Start by preparing the toast cups:
Lightly oil a mini muffin pan (a regular muffin tin works too, but you’ll get larger cups) and set aside.
Using a sharp knife, trim the crusts off your bread slices, then cut each slice into four squares. Roll each piece flat with a rolling pin both ways, and don’t worry about getting perfect squares – they’ll mold nicely into shape either way.
Press each flattened bread piece into the muffin tin, pressing down in the center to form a little cup. Brush the tops lightly with oil to help them crisp up.
Cut Brie cheese into about 1-inch cubes and place one piece into each toast cup. Bake the cups at 350°F for about 7-8 minutes, until the Brie starts to melt, then broil/grill for another few minutes until the bread edges turn golden brown.
Remove the tray from the oven and immediately top each bite with about half a teaspoon of cranberry jam or sauce. Sprinkle with crushed walnuts and garnish with rosemary.
You can serve these appetizer bites warm or let them cool to room temperature – honestly, they’re delicious either way!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s budget-friendly: The recipe uses simple pantry staples like bread instead of expensive puff pastry, making them a great budget-friendly option.
- The toast cups look really elegant and festive: The red cranberry jam, white Brie cheese, and light green rosemary combo looks as good as it tastes and comes out really cute and festive.
- It’s perfect for parties: Since the recipe makes 24 bites in one batch, it’s perfect for sharing and easy to scale up for larger gatherings.
- It’s a simple recipe that comes together really quickly: It just needs 10-12 minutes in the oven, plus the prep-time is minimal, too.
- Combines classic holiday flavors: Brie and cranberry sauce are a classic flavor combo that tastes great whether served on toast or as bite-sized appetizer cups.
Tips for Success
- Use day-old bread – it molds into cups more easily than fresh bread.
- Roll the bread thin so it is easier to handle, fits better into the cups, and crisps up nicely in the oven.
- Don’t overload the jam – you don’t want to overpower the creamy Brie, so about half a teaspoon is enough, plus too much jam can make the cups soggy.
- Prep everything ahead if you’re short on time: The toast cups can be baked empty, stored in an airtight container, then filled and reheated just before serving.
- Add extra flavors: If you want to dress things up more and add extra flavor, drizzle your brie bites with a touch of honey or balsamic glaze before serving.
📌 Cranberry Brie Bites in Mini Toast Cups (Recipe Card)
Ingredients (Makes 24 bites)
- 6 slices of bread (white or wholemeal)
- 5 oz Brie cheese
- Cranberry jam or sauce
- Handful of walnuts, crushed
- Fresh or dried rosemary for garnish
- Olive oil for brushing
Equipment
- Mini muffin pan (or regular muffin pan)
- Rolling pin
- Small knife and cutting board
- Pastry brush
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a mini muffin pan with olive oil.
- Using a sharp knife, trim the crusts off each slice of bread, then cut each into four squares.
- Roll each square flat with a rolling pin, working both lengthwise and widthwise.
- Press each piece of bread into your muffin pan to form tiny cups, and brush each cup with a little bit of oil.
- Cut your Brie cheese into about 1-inch pieces and place one cube of Brie in each bread cup.
- Bake for about 7-8 minutes until the cheese starts to soften, then broil/grill for another few minutes until the edges of the bread cups are golden.
- Remove from the oven and top each cup with about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry jam, some crushed walnuts, and a bit of rosemary.
- Serve your cranberry brie bites warm or at room temperature.
