If you’re looking for a quick and festive bite to impress your guests this holiday season, these Cranberry Brie Mini Tarts are exactly what you need. Buttery, flaky, and filled with creamy melted brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce, they’re the ultimate two-bite appetizer that looks fancy but couldn’t be easier to make. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy winter gathering, these little tarts bring a perfect balance of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Our weekend was a fun one — filled with food, friends, and a little adventure. Friday night was all about kitchen experiments (burger recipes are coming soon!), and Saturday, we spent the afternoon wandering through Discovery Park. If you’re ever in Seattle, it’s worth the visit — think golden leaves, ocean air, and endless trails. After our chilly walk, we stopped by Un Bien, a local sandwich shop that totally lived up to the hype. Between dinners with friends and long conversations over wine, I ended up bringing a batch of these Cranberry Brie Mini Tarts — and they disappeared in minutes.
The Easiest 3-Ingredient Holiday Appetizer
Let’s be honest — when you’re hosting or running between holiday parties, simple recipes are your best friend. That’s why I love these Cranberry Brie Mini Tarts. You only need three ingredients and about 15 minutes to pull them together. The secret is in the contrast: buttery brie melting inside crisp phyllo shells topped with bright, tangy cranberry sauce. The result? A warm, creamy, and slightly sweet appetizer that feels elegant without the effort.
I used mini phyllo cups from the freezer aisle — they bake up perfectly crisp and save so much time. If you can’t find them, you can easily make your own by cutting phyllo dough into small squares and pressing them into a mini muffin pan. Into each cup goes a spoonful of creamy triple-cream brie (it melts beautifully compared to double cream). After a quick bake, add a dollop of leftover cranberry sauce on top — homemade or store-bought both work great.
A sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper before serving gives them a subtle depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet-tart cranberries. Trust me, it’s worth the tiny extra step.
Serve these next to a cheese board or alongside a few other small bites like bacon-wrapped dates, and you’ve got yourself an instant holiday spread. They’re light, flavorful, and festive — the perfect way to kick off any celebration without spending all day in the kitchen .
Cranberry Brie Mini Tarts – The Perfect Holiday Appetizer
- Total Time: 15 min
Description
These Cranberry Brie Mini Tarts are a simple yet elegant appetizer perfect for the holidays. With only three ingredients, they come together in minutes but taste like something you’d find at a fancy cocktail party. The combination of flaky phyllo pastry, creamy melted brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce creates a perfectly balanced bite that’s buttery, crisp, and festive. Serve them warm right out of the oven, and watch them disappear fast!
Ingredients
1 package mini phyllo shells (about 15 shells)
4 oz triple-cream brie, rind removed and cut into small cubes
½ cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Optional: freshly cracked black pepper, fresh rosemary, or orange zest for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Arrange the phyllo cups on the baking sheet. Place a small cube of brie into each shell.
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Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the shells are golden brown.
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Top each tart with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
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Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with a little cracked black pepper, a small rosemary leaf, or a touch of orange zest for a festive look and flavor.
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Serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- Brie Choice: For the creamiest texture, use triple-cream brie — it melts beautifully.
- Make Ahead: You can pre-bake the shells and prep the brie in advance. Assemble and heat them just before serving.
- Cranberry Sauce Tip: Both homemade and canned cranberry sauce work perfectly. Try mixing in a little orange zest or honey for extra brightness.
- Serving Idea: Pair these mini tarts with a holiday cheese board, charcuterie platter, or sparkling wine for an easy festive spread.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 5 minutes to re-crisp.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
