These cranberry and brie tartlets are bite-sized fun and festive holiday appetizers perfect for Christmas and other winter gatherings.
Cranberry and brie tartlets are one of my favorite holiday appetizers and they are always a crowd pleaser!
These little gems combine the creamy, buttery richness of brie with the vibrant, sweet-tart flavors of cranberry sauce. Then they’re all nestled in a perfectly flaky tart shell.
Not only do these bite-sized bundles of joy look stunning on a holiday table but they are also incredibly easy to prepare! Whether you’re serving these for a Thanksgiving appetizer or at a cozy winter gathering, these tartlets are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Home cooks and pro chefs alike will will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: There’s minimal prep with ready-made refrigerated crescent roll dough, making this an easy recipe for any skill level.
- Crowd-pleasing flavors:The combination of creamy brie and tangy cranberry is always a hit!
- Perfect for fall and winter: The seasonal ingredients easily make this a holiday favorite.
- Customizable: You can switch it up with simple variations of herbs, honey, or nuts to add a personal flair.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Crescent dough: Use a tube of refrigerated crescent roll dough.
- Brie cheese: Use a good-quality brie with a creamy consistency for the best flavor and texture. Cut into small 1″ pieces.
- Cranberry sauce: Homemade or store-bought works here.
- Orange zest: For extra flavor, add a touch of orange zest.
- Rosemary: optional, but I like the added depth of flavor a couple of little rosemary leaves add.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
You’ll find more detailed instructions as well as ingredients and measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are some step-by-step photos to help you along the way!
First, preheat the oven to 375°F.
- On a large cutting board, open the crescent roll package, unroll the dough. Push any perforated or torn sections together to seal the dough.
- Using a sharp knife, cut out 21-24 squares.
- Spray a 24-cup muffin tin with baking spray or cooking spray.
- Press each square into the cups in the muffin tin.
- Place one piece of brie into each cup.
- Spoon cranberry sauce over the brie in each cup.
- Top each with just a few pieces of orange zest.
- Place in the oven and bake for 12-17 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the bottoms are baked through.
- Top each with a small sprig of rosemary, and any additional orange zest.
Serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Brie is my favorite to pair with cranberries for this dish, but camembert or goat cheese works as a substitute. Just be aware the flavor will vary slightly.
Absolutely! One of the great things about this recipe! You can prep the tartlets ahead and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Bake just before serving for the best texture.
Yes, you can cook fresh cranberries in a saucepan with a bit of sugar and orange juice to create a quick cranberry sauce substitute.
Store leftover tartlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
🍽 Serving ideas
These cranberry and brie tartlets make the most fun and delicious holiday appetizers! Serve them at Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and every other fall or winter holiday in-between.
We think they look especially stunning when served with other festive-looking dishes, like pistachio cranberry shortbread cookies or as part of a Christmas charcuterie board.
Other great holiday appetizers to serve alongside these include Christmas tree pull-apart bread, a simple Christmas wreath salad, and this festive cranberry pecan baked brie.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
During the holidays, we love serving these holiday appetizers with fun and festive cranberry mocktails.
If you’re serving them with wine, here are two that I recommend pairing these flavors with:
- Chardonnay: A creamy, full-bodied Chardonnay pairs beautifully with the richness of brie.
- Pinot Noir: This light red wine with fruity notes complements the tartness of cranberry and balances the creaminess of the cheese.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Muffin tin
- Spoon for cranberry sauce
More holiday recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Cranberry and Brie Tartlet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 package (8 ounces) crescent roll dough
- 1 wheel (8 ounces) brie cheese, cut into 21-24 square pieces about the same size
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 24-cup muffin tin with baking spray or cooking spray. Set aside.
- On a large cutting board, open the crescent roll package and unroll the dough. bring the dough pieces together to create one large rectangle, gently pushing the perforated edges together.
- Using a sharp knife, cut out 21-24 squares.
- Press each square into the cups in the muffin tin.
- Place one piece of brie into each cup.
- Spoon about a teaspoon or more of cranberry sauce over the brie in each cup.
- Top each with just a few pieces of orange zest (see photos for example).
- Place in the oven and bake for 12-17 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the bottoms are baked through.
- Top each with a small sprig of rosemary, and any additional orange zest. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
