Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites are a beautiful and festive appetizer, made of sugared cranberries, cranberry chutney, and creamy brie on a thin cracker. The perfect addition to any holiday table!
I’m a big fan of appetizers and finger food. In many cases I’d rather eat a variety of appetizers than a full meal. Apps and drinks. That’s my kind of party, y’all. And I can tell you that at any holiday party I attend in the upcoming Christmas season, these sparkling cranberry brie bites are an appetizer that I most definitely want to see.
And they may be little, but they are definitely mighty in flavor. And they go down way too easy. As in, I’m pretty sure I ate about eight of them without even blinking. And only stopped myself from going back to get more because, well…I wanted to be courteous and share. You know…’tis the season, and all.
You only need a few key ingredients and these come together in no time. You will need to make the sparkling cranberries ahead of time, because they do require a bit of refrigeration time, but after that’s done…these come together in a matter of minutes. And they’re gone just as quickly.
Have you ever eaten a whole, fresh cranberry? Before I made these, I hadn’t. Natalie decided she needed to have one, before they were all sparkled up. Let’s just say that she was not a fan. After the sparkling, however…they were pretty freaking fantastic.
The cranberries are firm, and when you bite into them, they almost pop in your mouth, but not in the same way a cherry tomato does, because…that’s just gross. You have the crisp cracker on bottom, creamy brie and cranberry chutney in the middle, and the sugared cranberries on top. It’s the perfect texture, and has a sweet, tart, and tangy flavor all in one bite. And they’re gorgeous.
If these sparkling cranberry brie bites don’t scream ‘holiday’ to you, then I don’t know what will! Be sure to check out more cranberry recipes below!
Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 thin crackers
- 8 oz. Brie cheese, rind removed and sliced 1/4″ thick
Cranberry Chutney
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 4 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Pour maple syrup over cranberries and stir to combine. Cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. Drain cranberries in a colander. Place cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with wax paper. Refrigerate for about an hour. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar.
- To make cranberry chutney (while drained cranberries are in the fridge): Combine cranberries, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer until cranberries pop and begin to soften. Use the back of a spoon or a fork to gently mash the cranberries and continue cooking until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a dollop of cranberry chutney, and 3-5 sugared cranberries. Place on a serving tray, set them out and watch them disappear!
Notes
It’s Cranberry Week! See all the other delicious cranberry recipes being shared today (and follow #cranberryweek to see even more):
Chocolate Cranberry Blondies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Cranberry Amaretto Ice Cream from The Redhead Baker
Cranberry Apple Flan from The Freshman Cook
Cranberry Breakfast Smoothie from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Cranberry Crescent Rolls with Maple Icing from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Cranberry Curd Tart from Savory Moments
Cranberry Glazed Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
Cranberry Mule from The Spiffy Cookie
Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Ball from Our Crafty Mom
Cranberry Orange Scones from Caroline’s Cooking
Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls from Cookaholic Wife
Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheeseballs from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Gin & {Cranberry-Orange} Jam Cocktail from Books n’ Cooks
Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites from Sweet Beginnings
Turkey Nachos with Cranberry Salsa from A Day in the Life on the Farm
So pretty and I’m sure the marriage with the brie is perfect.
If these are at a party, I’m totally going to have a hard time prying myself away from them!!!