Name: Cranberry Brie Bites in Mini Toast Cups
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 6 slices of bread (white or wholemeal); 5 oz Brie cheese; 1/4 cup cranberry jam or sauce; Handful of walnuts (crushed); Fresh or dried rosemary for garnish; Olive oil for brushing

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Party food doesn’t have to be complicated – or expensive, for that matter.

These cranberry Brie bites in mini toast cups are the perfect example of how you can take simple, affordable ingredients and turn them into something elegant and festive, perfect for any holiday table.

Cranberry brie bites - mini toast cup appetizers filled with brie cheese, topped with cranberry jam and crushed walnuts

Instead of using puff pastry, which can also feel heavy and calorie-dense, this recipe uses plain bread slices to create golden, crunchy toast cups.

Filled with creamy Brie, tart cranberry jam, and a sprinkle of walnuts and rosemary, these little bites are a classic flavor combo that looks super pretty and is guaranteed to impress all the guests!

Make sure to check out these toast cups appetizer ideas as well:

I also have toast cups dessert recipes:

How to Make These Cranberry Brie Bites in Mini Toast Cups

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe

6 slices of bread (white or wholemeal)
5 oz Brie cheese
1/4 cup cranberry jam or sauce
Handful of walnuts, crushed
Fresh or dried rosemary for garnish
Olive oil for brushing

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

2. Lightly oil a mini muffin pan with a bit of oil and set aside.

3. Using a sharp knife, trim the crusts off your bread slices.

4. Cut each slice of bread into four squares.

5. Roll each piece flat with a rolling pin going both ways, and don’t worry about getting perfect squares – they’ll mold nicely into shape either way.

6. Press each flattened bread piece into the muffin tin, pressing down in the center to form a little cup.

7. Brush the tops lightly with oil to help them crisp up.

8. Cut Brie cheese into about 1-inch cubes and place one piece into each toast cup.

9. Bake the cups for about 7-8 minutes, until the Brie starts to melt, then broil/grill for another few minutes until the bread edges turn golden brown.

10. Remove the tray from the oven and immediately top each bite with about half a teaspoon of cranberry jam or sauce.

11. Sprinkle with crushed walnuts and garnish with rosemary.

12. You can serve these appetizer bites warm or let them cool to room temperature – honestly, they’re delicious either way!

Important Recipe Notes

I prefer using day-old bread for this recipe, as it molds into cups more easily than fresh bread.
You can use either white or wholemeal bread, but if you’re making these for a party, white bread will look a bit more elegant.
Make sure to roll the bread pieces thin so they are easier to handle, fit better into the cups, and crisp up nicely in the oven.
Don’t cut your Brie too small; about 1 inch in size is perfect for this recipe.
Don’t overload the jam – you don’t want to overpower the creamy Brie, so about half a teaspoon is enough. Too much jam can make the cups soggy as well.
If you’re short on time, you can easily prepare this recipe ahead. You can cut and roll the bread in advance and bake the toast cups empty. Store them in an airtight container overnight, then fill and reheat just before serving.
If you want to dress things up more and add extra flavor, drizzle your Brie bites with a touch of honey or balsamic glaze before serving.
You can use a regular-sized muffin pan instead of a mini muffin tray, but you’ll get larger cups, which means you have to at least double or even triple the quantities of cheese and jam for each cup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s budget-friendly: The recipe uses simple pantry staples like bread instead of expensive puff pastry, making these bites a great budget-friendly option.
The toast cups look really elegant and festive: The red cranberry jam, white Brie cheese, and light green rosemary combo looks as good as it tastes and comes out really cute and festive.
It’s perfect for parties: Since the recipe makes 24 bites in one batch, it’s perfect for sharing and easy to scale up for larger gatherings.
It’s a simple recipe that comes together really quickly: It just needs 10-12 minutes in the oven, plus the prep time is minimal, too.
Combines classic holiday flavors: Brie and cranberry sauce are a classic flavor combo that tastes great whether served on toast or as bite-sized appetizer cups.