Every December, when I start planning holiday appetizers, one recipe always makes the top of the list: Savory Cranberry and Brie Tartlets. I stumbled on this idea a few years back when I had leftover cranberry sauce and a forgotten wedge of Brie in the fridge. We were having friends over for a casual holiday night, and I needed something fast that still felt festive. These tartlets were born out of that chaos, and they disappeared from the platter in minutes. Now, they’re tradition.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
There’s something magical about the combo of buttery puff pastry, creamy Brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce. It feels fancy but couldn’t be easier. That’s my favorite kind of recipe during the holiday rush. And if you’re the type of host who likes to impress without a ton of effort, these tartlets are made for you.
All you need is a roll of puff pastry, some good Brie (you can even leave the rind on), and cranberry sauce, homemade or canned both work great. I like to top them with a little chopped rosemary or thyme for color and that unmistakable holiday aroma. When they come out of the oven, golden and bubbling, the smell alone will have people hovering.
Here’s how it goes: you cut your puff pastry into squares, press each one into a mini muffin tin, fill with a bit of cranberry sauce, add a cube of Brie, and bake. It’s that simple. And yet, the result is beautiful and bursting with flavor. If you want to go even more festive, you can add chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are great) or a drizzle of honey just before serving.
What I love most? These Savory Cranberry and Brie Tartlets can be assembled ahead of time. Just prep them in the muffin tin, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for a few hours. When you’re ready to serve, pop them in the oven. Done.
For a balanced spread, I like to serve them with something fresh like these Air Fryer Carrots. The natural sweetness of the carrots complements the tang of the cranberry. If you’re looking for a full party board, add our Easy Halloween Party Treats, many of them double nicely as finger foods year-round. And for dessert? Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies always hit the right note with adults and kids alike.
These tartlets also scale beautifully. Making dinner for two? Half a puff pastry sheet is plenty. Feeding a crowd? Bake multiple trays at once. They hold well at room temp for an hour or so, though they rarely last that long.
Holiday hosting doesn’t have to mean over-the-top prep or hours in the kitchen. Sometimes, the most memorable bites come from just a few ingredients used well. That’s exactly what these tartlets deliver: a quick, gorgeous, crowd-pleasing appetizer that feels just a little luxurious, and doesn’t leave you frazzled before guests arrive.
Savory Cranberry and Brie Tartlets Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 24 tartlets
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz Brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 24 cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut into 24 small squares.
- Press each square into a muffin cup to form a base.
- Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry sauce into each.
- Add a cube of Brie on top, and sprinkle with rosemary or thyme.
- Brush the exposed pastry with egg wash for color.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.
Savory Cranberry and Brie Tartlets
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 tartlets
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Savory Cranberry and Brie Tartlets combine buttery puff pastry, creamy Brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce into the perfect holiday appetizer. Quick, elegant, and ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
4 oz Brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 24 cubes
1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut into 24 squares.
3. Press each square into a muffin cup.
4. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry sauce into each.
5. Top with a cube of Brie and sprinkle herbs if using.
6. Brush exposed pastry edges with egg wash.
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until puffed and golden.
8. Cool slightly and serve warm or room temperature.
Notes
You can prepare these ahead and refrigerate before baking.
Add chopped nuts or a drizzle of honey for variation.
Serve alongside something fresh like air-fried carrots for a balanced bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday