Cranberry & Brie Tartlets

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 the 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 simple 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 simple: There's minimal prep with ready-made refrigerated crescent roll dough, making this an simple 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 We 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 simply 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

Can We use different cheese?

Brie is the favorite to pair with cranberries for this dish, but camembert or goat cheese works as a substitute. Simply be aware the flavor will vary slightly.

Can We make these tartlets in advance?

Absolutely! One of the great things about this recipe! You can prep the tartlets ahead and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Bake simply before serving for the best texture.

Can We use fresh cranberries instead of cranberry sauce?

Yes, you can cook fresh cranberries in a saucepan with a bit of sugar and orange juice to create a quick cranberry sauce substitute.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

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 tasty 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 We 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 truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Cranberry and Brie Tartlet

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 21 tartlets These tartlets are sweet appetizers perfect for any holiday gathering, and they're great year-round!

Equipment

1 24-cup mini muffin tin

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 simply 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

Makes approximately 21-24 mini tartlets. Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that, the dough will get too soggy from the cranberry sauce. Reheat in the oven or an air fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 59 kcal, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 2 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4 g, Cholesterol: 0.05 mg, Sodium: 85 mg, Potassium: 4 mg, Fiber: 0.1 g, Sugar: 5 g, Vitamin A: 6 IU, Vitamin C: 0.1 mg, Calcium: 0.5 mg, Iron: 0.2 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.