Every holiday party needs one warm, cheesy appetizer that disappears first. These cranberry brie bites are it: little golden almond pastry cups filled with melty Brie, a glossy cranberry topping, chopped pecans and a tiny sprig of thyme.
They are made with no added sugar. The pastry is almond and coconut flour with an egg and butter, and the cranberries are cooked with allulose. Each of the 12 bites has about 121 calories and 3g net carbs.
The pastry cups bake first on their own, so they stay crisp under the cheese.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Brie Bites
- Sweet, tart and creamy. Cranberry, melty Brie and toasted pecans in one bite.
- Festive look. Red cranberries and green thyme for Christmas.
- 3g net carbs per bite. Each of the 12 bites has about 121 calories and 5g protein.
- Easy to make ahead. Bake the cups and the topping, then assemble before guests arrive.
Ingredient Notes
Almond pastry cups. Three-quarters of a cup plus a tablespoon of Bob’s Red Mill almond flour, 3 tablespoons of coconut flour, an egg and melted butter make a soft dough that bakes into sturdy little cups.
Cranberry topping. One and a half cups of fresh cranberries are simmered with allulose and water until thick and glossy, with some berries left whole for these cranberry brie bites.
Brie. Four ounces of Président Brie, cut into 12 pieces with the edible rind on, melts into each cup.
Pecans and thyme. Chopped pecans add crunch and tiny fresh thyme sprigs add a savory, festive finish. Use tender tips without woody stems.
Allulose. Allulose is a rare sugar that the FDA allows to be excluded from the total sugars and added sugars declarations on the Nutrition Facts label.
If you want to check the nutrition of staples like cranberries, Brie and almond flour yourself, you can look them up on USDA FoodData Central.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
You need a standard 12-cup muffin pan with 2¾-inch cavities, bowls, a saucepan and a spatula. Prep takes about 25 minutes, baking takes 25 to 30 minutes in total, and the bites cool for about 10 minutes.
Bake the pastry cups
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease the muffin pan.
Step 2. Mix the flours, egg and melted butter into a soft dough and rest for 5 minutes.
Step 3. Divide into 12 portions and press into shallow cups, about ⅛ inch thick, partly up the cavity sides.
Step 4. Bake the empty cups for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly golden.
Make the cranberry topping
Step 5. Simmer the cranberries, allulose and water for 7 to 9 minutes, until thick and glossy, leaving some berries intact.
Step 6. Cool the cranberry topping slightly.
Fill and bake
Step 7. Place one piece of Brie, with its edible rind, into each pastry cup.
Step 8. Spoon the cranberry topping over the Brie.
Step 9. Bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until the cheese softens and the edges turn golden.
Step 10. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove carefully.
Step 11. Scatter the pecans over each bite and finish with a tiny thyme sprig.
Step 12. Serve the cranberry brie bites warm.
Success Tips for Cranberry Brie Bites
Keep the cups thin and sturdy. Press the dough about ⅛ inch thick and only partly up the sides.
Keep the cranberries chunky. Leave some berries whole so the topping looks fresh and festive.
Do not overbake the cheese. Take them out as soon as the Brie softens, before it turns liquid.
Use tender thyme. Small tips without woody stems are best for a garnish you eat.
Serving Ideas
Arrange them on a white platter for Christmas Eve, New Year’s or any holiday party. They pair well with a cheese board and a bowl of nuts.
More Holiday Recipes
For another savory side, try my no-added-sugar green bean casserole. For cranberries in dessert, the sugar-free cranberry orange cheesecake bars are a favorite.
And for a festive bake, make the sugar-free cranberry orange muffins.
Storage
Refrigerate the cranberry brie bites covered for up to 3 days.
Cranberry Brie Bites FAQ
Do I need to remove the Brie rind?
No. The rind is edible and helps the cheese hold its shape in the cup.
Why bake the pastry cups first?
Baking them empty first keeps them crisp and sturdy under the cheese and cranberries.
Can I make them ahead?
You can bake the cups and cook the cranberry topping ahead, then fill and bake just before serving so they are warm.
How many cranberry brie bites does this make?
The recipe makes 12 cranberry brie bites, one per muffin cup.
Is allulose a sugar alcohol?
No, allulose is a rare sugar, not a sugar alcohol.
Warm Brie, glossy cranberries and a crunch of pecans, these cranberry brie bites are the holiday appetizer everyone reaches for first.
No-Added-Sugar Christmas Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease muffin pan.
- Mix flours, egg and melted butter into a soft dough. Rest 5 minutes.
- Divide into 12 portions. Press into shallow cups, about ⅛ inch thick, partly up cavity sides.
- Bake empty cups 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Simmer cranberries, allulose and water for 7–9 minutes until thick and glossy, leaving some berries intact.
- Cool cranberry topping slightly.
- Place one piece of Brie, with edible rind, into each pastry cup.
- Spoon cranberry topping over Brie.
- Bake another 5–8 minutes until cheese softens and edges turn golden.
- Cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove carefully.
- Scatter pecans over each bite and finish with a tiny thyme sprig.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Keep pastry cups shallow, thin and sturdy.
- Preserve chunky cranberries and visible Brie.
- Do not overbake cheese or let it liquefy.
- Use tender thyme tips without woody stems.
- Refrigerate covered up to 3 days.