Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

Yes, the most important element to a recipe is that it tastes good. But that doesn’t mean it can’t also be glamorous. Don’t forget, we eat with our eyes first.
Fresh cranberries are only available this time of year, so grab a bag the next time you’re at the market and sugar those babies up. Last year I used sugared cranberries to top a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, but they’re also a nice low-guilt treat to satisfy your sweet tooth on their own.

If these beauties don’t get you into the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. Red, sparkling, sweet, tart, and creamy, these Sparkling Cranberry Brie Crackers have everything you could want in a fall or winter hors d’oeuvres.
Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
By
Published 11/08/2011
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup good maple syrup
- 1 cup organic granulated sugar
- 16 crackers
- 8 oz. Brie cheese or Kite Hill almond based soft ripened cheese
- cranberry chutney or cranberry relish
- fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.
- Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
Yield: Makes about 16
Prep Time: 20 mins.
Cook time: 1 hrs. 00 mins.
Total time: 1 hrs. 20 mins.
Tags: holiday appetizers, cheese, crackers, fresh cranberries, sugared cranberries
…and I'd be a fool not to follow. Can't wait to dig in! 😉
Wonderful share this will be the star of my Christmas Eve table Thank you
Fabulous! MMMM…I have a funny feeling I'll be making these very soon…I've got 3 POUNDS of cranberries in the fridge calling my name!
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Mikey @ http://www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
just made these for a dinner…was a huge hit and soooooo yummy!!!
If I've made up the cranberries ahead… (just sugar coated them and they are drying)… should I put them in the refrigerator??? Or, once dry can they be placed in a ziplock? Will the sugar stick? 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe.
Anonymous – I left them in a bowl at room temp after they had dried and they were fine for one-two days
I worry that in the fridge they will become too wet. How long until you will use them? If just a day, leave them out 🙂 Otherwise try placing them on a tray so they're in a single layer.
Thanks for the quick reply. I made them Friday night to use for Sunday night. I think I'm going to try leaving them out…??? Decisions, decisions. Thanks again. Peggy Sue (aka anonymous) 🙂 Still trying to figure out this blog stuff! 🙂
Good luck, Peggy Sue. Merry Christmas! I think they'll be fine. I was munching on them for days 🙂
These were fantastic! I made for Christmas Eve and they were a big hit. I made a few modifications based on what I had and blogged about them: http://kendallandkeith.blogspot.com/2011/12/sugared-cranberry-brie-bites.html Thanks for the great recipe!
I made these for Christmas Day and they were eaten up quick. I couldn't find cranberry chutney or cranberry relish, so I wound up using Whole Foods canned cranberries with whole berries instead. They wasn't as sweet as I expected but they were very tasty.
This will be a new Christmas tradition in our family. So beautiful and so delicious! Sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy! Yum!
Beautiful' what kind of crackers did you use”
Hi, thanks Meranda!
I used water crackers – you can find them at most any grocery store. Here's an example: http://www.carrscrackers.com/cgi-bin/brandpages/product.pl?product=735&company=140
Feel free to use any cracker you like though. Or even sliced baguette bread!
Marina,
Thank you do much for replying! I figured it was a long shot since the post was so old. I've had it bookmarked for almost a year now 🙂 I'm pregnant with my second baby and plan on making them for my baby shower this Saturday. Btw, I made your peach amaretto cake two months ago for a BBQ and still receive compliments and requests for recipe. Thanks for sharing and helping me believe you can raise your babies with love and still have time for yummy cooking!
Gorgeous appetizer! Making for Thanksgiving, though I'm going to use phyllo shells and bake the brie in them for a few minutes and top with the rest – easier to transport I'm hoping – thanks for the idea! 🙂
I just returned from a Thanksgiving dinner where these were served, and they were absolutely amazing. I'm keeping the recipe to make myself.
I did make these, but decided to use phyllo cups and I used raspberry preserves – OMG – not only did everyone rave over how gorgeous they were, but they taste good too! I'd never eaten raw cranberries before – they were so good sugared and served this way – will make for Xmas too!
Here is my version: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151286649109587&set=pcb.10151286649314587&type=1&relevant_count=3&ref=nf
Thanks so much again for the idea 🙂
Oh wow, this looks delicious! I'd really like to make these for Christmas Eve. Hope they'll have fresh cranberries in the supermarket, they're hard to get over here in Germany…
Thanks, I know you'll love them! If you see any in the market between now and Christmas you can get them early and either freeze them or keep them in the fridge.
What kind of crackers did you use?
Caar's water crackers but any will do.
These cranberry crackers look perfect for parties (or just eating yourself)!
I just saw these on Pinterest. I love how glamorous these little bites look. I'm repinning this for sure!
Tried today – they were so yummy and will use the cranberry for many other recipes. Thanks!
Thanks for your advice, Marina. I actually found a supermarket that carries fresh cranberries and will buy a package the next days. Your recipe will be for starters on Christmas Eve.
As I'm posting our Christmas meal on my blog, I also wrote a short post about your recipe, using one of your pictures, as I haven't got any by now. I linked back to your blog for the recipe.
Please let me know if you don't want me to use your picture.
http://fraeuleinmaier.de/unser-weihnachtsmenu-sparkling-cranberrie-brie-bites/
-Lisa
These were amazing! Made them for Christmas Eve tonight, and everyone LOVED them! Happy I still have enough cranberries to make more tomorrow!
Made for Christmas Eve tonight…..they were AMAZING! I was a bit skeptical about raw cranberries, but they were so tasty! Will definitely make again.
I made these to bring to a solstice party and every single one got eaten.
Definitely going to be my go-to party dish in the winter.
Thank you!!
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