Baked Brie Bites with Sugared Cranberries

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Baked Brie Bites with Sugared Cranberries are the perfect blend of savory, sweet and tangy, offering a bite-sized appetizer that was made for the holiday season. These bites combine an irresistible combination of textures and flavors, creating an appetizer that's as tasty as it is appealing. 

At the heart of each bite is creamy brie cheese, known for its buttery texture. The cheese melts perfectly into the pastry, creating a rich and savory center. Surrounding the brie is a golden crescent dough, baked to a crisp, providing a light and flaky contrast to the creamy filling. 

The topping brings festive flair and layers of flavor. The mixture of diced Granny Smith apples, walnuts and bacon bits adds a balance of sweet, nutty and smoky notes. The apples' tartness cuts through the cheese's richness, while the walnuts deliver a satisfying crunch. A touch of cinnamon and brown sugar infuses the filling with a cozy warmth, and the orange zest and juice provide a bright citrus finish that ties all the flavors together. 

The tart sugared cranberries complement the creamy, savory filling, while their sparkling sugar coating adds sweetness and elegance to the recipe. They're the perfect festive touch, making these bites as stunning to look at as they are to eat. 

Whether served as part of your holiday appetizer or for brunch, these Baked Brie Bites with Sugared Cranberries capture the excitement of the holiday season in every bite with a delightful mix of cozy and indulgent flavors. 

Directions:

Sugared Cranberries:

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water over low heat. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
2. Add cranberries and remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.
3. Drain cranberries. Roll in remaining ¾ cup of sugar to coat. Air dry on a wire rack for 1 hour.

Baked Brie Bites:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add orange juice, bacon bits, walnuts, apple, cinnamon and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved and apples begin to brown, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in orange zest.
3. Unroll crescent rolls and pinch together seams to create 1 large sheet with each package of dough. Cut each rectangle into 12 squares.
4. Coat a mini muffin pan with cooking spray and place a square of dough in each cup.
5. Cut brie into 24 pieces and place in the center of the dough square. Top with apple walnut mixture and a pinch of brown sugar. Bring edges of the dough square to the center and pinch to create a seal.
6. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Garnish each bite with a sugared cranberry for an unexpected burst of flavor.

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Alyssa,
ALDI Test Kitchen