Baked Brie and Cranberry Bites

Welcome your guests with a palate-pleasing appetizer that immediately sets a festive mood. Aside from turkey, nothing says Thanksgiving like the sweet and tart flavors of cranberry. This easy-to-make appetizer combines cranberries with the rich, creamy taste of melted brie and the crunch of flaky phyllo.

Thanksgiving is all about embracing traditions, but it’s fun to add something new to the menu, especially when it’s sure to be a hit. Using only a handful of ingredients, this recipe is simple to prepare and takes only 8-10 minutes to bake. Slide it into the oven or use your toaster oven if you’re short on space. We suggest using our recipe for Cranberry Orange Relish for a little extra zest. Made in advance, this relish can be used for these tasty bites and as a colorful side on your Thanksgiving table.

Baked Brie and Cranberry Bites

Yield: Serves 24
Author: Hamilton Beach Test Kitchen

Ingredients

4 ounces triple creme brie
1/4 cup Cranberry Orange Relish
4 sheets phyllo pastry sheets, thawed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cut brie into 1/4-inch slices, then in 1-inch pieces; set aside.
Unroll and cover the phyllo sheets with plastic wrap and then a slightly damp towel to prevent drying out. On a large cutting board, place one sheet of phyllo. Lightly brush with melted butter. Continue to layer phyllo sheets and brush with butter, but do not butter the top of the last sheet.
Cut the layered phyllo sheets into 24 equal squares. Place each square in a mini-muffin pan, pushing down center to form a cup. Keep cut squares and already shaped phyllo cups covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent drying out while shaping more squares.
Place a piece of brie in each phyllo cup in muffin pans. Top with 1/2 teaspoon cranberry relish.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Test Kitchen Tip: For a cranberry relish shortcut, use leftover relish or use a food processor to blend 1 can (14 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce, 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier® liqueur or orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest and a dash of ground cloves.
Nonstick cooking spray can be used instead of butter between sheets of phyllo.