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Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

ByLily
Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 13 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a bite-sized appetizer that’s bursting with cozy, festive flavors, I can’t recommend this Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe enough. These little gems bring together savory sausage, creamy brie, and that bright pop of cranberry all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “pass the napkins.” Whether you’re prepping for a holiday party or a casual get-together, these bites are an absolute crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors: The savory sausage, tart cranberry, and creamy brie create a harmony that is both luxurious and comforting.
  • Simple Prep, Big Impact: Using store-bought puff pastry and pre-flavored sausage keeps this recipe easy and approachable, even if you’re short on time.
  • Impressive Presentation: Those neat spiral bites look fancy, yet they come together in under 40 minutes—no stress involved.
  • Customizable to Your Taste: You can swap mild, sweet, or spicy sausage to suit your mood or guest preferences.
Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites, festive appetizer ideas, holiday party snacks, savory puff pastry appetizers, easy holiday appetizers - A white plate holds nine golden-brown puff pastry pinwheels stacked gently. Each pinwheel has multiple layers visible in a spiral pattern, showing a slightly crispy outer edge with a softer, flaky inside. The filling is a mix of brown, green, and reddish bits, likely meat and herbs, spread through the spiral. Around the pinwheels are sprigs of green herbs and scattered red cranberries, adding color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a black and white checkered cloth and a white towel in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe strikes the perfect chord by combining staple ingredients that complement and elevate one another. Selecting a quality sausage and ripe brie makes all the difference; plus, the fresh herbs really bring vibrant aromas and flavor depth.

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites, festive appetizer ideas, holiday party snacks, savory puff pastry appetizers, easy holiday appetizers - Flat lay of fresh Johnsonville Italian sausage links with their rich, slightly marbled texture, whole garlic cloves with papery white skin, vibrant green sprigs of rosemary and sage with delicate leaves, a smooth, creamy block of pale ivory brie cheese with its white rind, bright red jellied cranberry sauce glistening with a glossy finish, and a sheet of frozen puff pastry showing light layers of dough, all naturally arranged in a casual yet balanced layout, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7
  • Frozen Puff Pastry Sheet: The flaky, buttery base that crisps beautifully in the oven and holds all your tasty fillings.
  • Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage: Using sweet sausage keeps the flavor mellow and balanced with the tart cranberry, but you can go mild or hot depending on your spice tolerance.
  • Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds just the right amount of savory punch without overpowering.
  • Freshly Chopped Sage: This herb imparts an earthy, slightly peppery note that pairs perfectly with sausage and brie.
  • Freshly Chopped Rosemary: Adds a piney, fragrant layer that lifts the flavors and makes your kitchen smell amazing.
  • Egg: Mixed with water to make an egg wash, this gives the pastry a gorgeous golden shine after baking.
  • Jellied Cranberry Sauce: Smooth and not too chunky, it brings a delightful sweet-tart punch that contrasts the savory elements.
  • Brie Cheese: The creamy, slightly nutty cheese melts beautifully and adds a luxurious texture inside each bite.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tweak without losing any of that signature flavor. Feel free to get creative—trust me, it’s always fun to put a personal spin on classics like this.

  • Variation: If you want to add a little heat, try swapping the sweet Italian sausage for hot sausage—it’s a fantastic twist and adds a nice kick that balances with the cranberry sweetness.
  • Vegetarian Swap: For friends who don’t eat meat, I’ve had great success substituting spicy roasted mushrooms or seasoned lentils instead of sausage, keeping the rest of the layers the same.
  • Herb Experimentation: If you don’t have fresh sage or rosemary, a sprinkle of dried herbs still works, but fresh herbs definitely take it to the next level aroma-wise.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Thaw and Prep Your Puff Pastry

First things first – let your frozen puff pastry thaw for about 40 minutes on the counter. This timing works perfectly to make it pliable but not too soft, so it rolls nicely without tearing. While it’s thawing, line your baking sheets with parchment; this will save you from messy cleanups later.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage and Herbs

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add your ground Italian sausage along with the minced garlic. Break the sausage up with a spatula as it browns. When it’s nearly ready, stir in the fresh rosemary and sage, letting all those flavors mingle for about three minutes before draining any excess fat. For me, the scent at this stage tells me I’m on the right track!

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Place the thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and brush the entire sheet with the egg wash, making sure to cover all edges—that golden finish really sells the look. Next, spread your jellied cranberry sauce evenly over the pastry, then scatter the cooked sausage on top, followed by thin slices of brie. This is the layer magic, combining sweet, savory, and creamy textures in every bite.

Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Bake

Starting from one of the shorter edges where the brie slices appear horizontal, gently roll the pastry into a jelly-roll style log, taking care to keep everything tight but not squished. Then slice your roll into about 14 even pieces, roughly three-quarters to one inch thick. Place the slices cut side up on your parchment-lined baking sheets, give them a final brush of egg wash, sprinkle with a bit more chopped sage, and pop them in the oven at 400°F for 15 minutes. You’re looking for that golden, puffed-up perfection—the smell will tell you when it’s done!

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Don’t Rush Thawing: Letting the puff pastry thaw fully but still cool to the touch helps prevent tearing and ensures an even roll.
  • Drain Sausage Fat Well: I’ve found that removing excess grease helps keep the bites from getting soggy and keeps the flavors crisp.
  • Thin Brie Slices Are Key: Thick slices won’t melt properly inside the roll and make cutting tricky. Thin slices give just the right amount of creamy melt.
  • Slice with a Sharp Knife: Use a very sharp knife and clean it between slices to keep the edges neat and avoid squashing the roll.

How to Serve Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites, festive appetizer ideas, holiday party snacks, savory puff pastry appetizers, easy holiday appetizers - A white plate holds eight round puff pastry pinwheels arranged closely together, each pinwheel showing golden-brown flaky layers with a light shine. Inside the swirls, there are bits of cooked ground meat with small green herbs sprinkled on top, adding green spots on the filling. Fresh green herb leaves lie under the pinwheels in the center for decoration. Bright red cranberries are scattered on the white marbled surface around the plate, adding a pop of color to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to garnish mine with a little extra freshly chopped sage right before baking—it adds a little color and that lovely herbal aroma that hints at what’s inside. For serving, a tiny drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans offers a nice touch of sweetness and crunch if you want to elevate the experience further.

Side Dishes

These bites are perfect on their own as finger food, but paired with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette or a bowl of warm butternut squash soup, they really shine. For holiday gatherings, a glass of crisp white wine or sparkling cider complements the brie and cranberry beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re making these for a special occasion, try arranging them on a beautiful wooden board or tiered platter paired with fresh herbs and small bowls of extra cranberry sauce for dipping. I’ve also wrapped them individually in festive paper for holiday parties—it’s a cute little personal touch your guests will appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (though that’s rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep the pastry from getting soggy, I recommend reheating in the oven or toaster oven rather than the microwave.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen these bites after baking by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then placing them in a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop them into a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the pastry re-crisps. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that delightful flaky texture intact.

FAQs

  1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of jellied cranberry sauce?

    Fresh cranberries are much tarter and less sweet, so if you use them, I recommend cooking them down with some sugar and water to create a sweet cranberry spread. The jellied cranberry sauce offers the perfect texture and balance straight from the jar, making prep easier and results more consistent.

  2. Do I have to remove the rind from the brie?

    Yes, I usually remove the rind because it can be a bit tougher and interfere with the smooth melting texture inside the bites. Plus, thin slices without rind look prettier when the cheese melts and melds with the other layers.

  3. Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can assemble the roll and slice the bites up to a day in advance. Just cover them tightly and keep them in the fridge until ready to bake. This makes party day way less stressful!

  4. What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

    While fresh herbs are best for this recipe, dried sage and rosemary can be used in a pinch. Use about half the amount because dried herbs are more concentrated, and add them during the sausage cooking stage to bring out their flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe will quickly become one of your go-to appetizers, especially when you want something impressive but doable. For me, it’s a nostalgic reminder of cozy holiday gatherings filled with laughter and good food. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do—they really turn any occasion into a celebration. Grab the ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for some serious yum. You’ve got this!

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Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 13 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 14 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites are a delightful appetizer featuring flavorful Johnsonville Italian sausage, sweet cranberry sauce, and creamy brie cheese wrapped in buttery puff pastry. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, these bite-sized treats combine savory and sweet flavors with aromatic herbs for an irresistible savory snack.

Ingredients

Pastry and Filling

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
  • 8 ounces Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage (Sweet, Mild, or Hot)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage (plus 1 teaspoon for garnish)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup jellied cranberry sauce
  • 4 ounces brie, rind removed and sliced thin

Instructions

  1. Thaw Pastry: Thaw the sheet of frozen puff pastry for 40 minutes or as directed on the package to make it pliable for rolling.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  3. Cook Sausage: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage with the minced garlic until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the freshly chopped rosemary and one tablespoon of sage, cook for another three minutes, stirring occasionally, then drain excess fat.
  4. Make Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash which will help seal and brown the pastry.
  5. Prepare Pastry: Place the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, brush the entire sheet evenly with the egg wash.
  6. Add Layers: Spread the jellied cranberry sauce evenly over the egg-washed dough, then layer the cooked sausage on top. Evenly place the thin brie slices over the sausage layer.
  7. Roll Dough: Starting at a long edge where the brie slices are horizontal, carefully roll the dough into a jelly roll shape, ensuring it’s tight but not squished.
  8. Slice and Arrange: Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into 14 slices, approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick. Arrange the slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Final Touch and Bake: Brush the tops and sides of each bite with remaining egg wash, sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of freshly chopped sage, and bake for 15 minutes until golden and puffed.

Notes

  • You can substitute sweet Italian sausage with mild or hot varieties to adjust the spice level.
  • If you prefer a stronger herb flavor, increase the sage and rosemary slightly.
  • Make sure to remove the rind from the brie to ensure smooth melting in the bites.
  • Rest the baked bites for 5 minutes before serving for easier handling.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to get clean slices when cutting the rolled dough.
  • For a vegetarian option, replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bite
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg

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