How to Make Cranberry Brie Knots at Home – Easy, Buttery & Festive

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Introduction

There’s something magical about the combination of creamy brie, tart cranberries, and golden, flaky pastry. Whether you’re planning a cozy winter brunch or looking for an appetizer that’ll wow your guests at a holiday party, Cranberry Brie Knots are your answer. These buttery bites deliver the perfect harmony of flavors—sweet, savory, tangy, and cheesy—in one elegant package.

Cranberry Brie Knots are as beautiful as they are delicious. But here’s the real treat: they look like a professional bakery item, yet are incredibly easy to make at home. If you’ve got 30 minutes, puff pastry, brie cheese, and cranberry sauce—you’ve got yourself a show-stopping appetizer.

This post will walk you through everything: ingredients, substitutions, step-by-step instructions, and expert tips to make sure your Cranberry Brie Knots are irresistible. Let’s bake some magic.

What Is This Recipe?

Cranberry Brie Knots are a savory pastry appetizer made from puff pastry sheets wrapped around cubes of brie cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce, then twisted into knot shapes and baked to golden perfection. The result is a flaky, cheesy, and slightly sweet pastry bite that melts in your mouth.

Perfect for:

• Holiday gatherings
• Thanksgiving or Christmas appetizers
• Brunch tables
• Wine-and-cheese nights
• Last-minute guests (yes, they’re that easy)

This recipe is about transforming three simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

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Essential Ingredients

To make perfect Cranberry Brie Knots, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
• 1 wheel of brie cheese (cold and cubed)
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Flour (for dusting your work surface)
• Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, for garnish)

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Alternative Ingredients

Not into cranberry? No worries—there’s room to play:

. Cheese – Substitute brie with camembert, goat cheese, or even cream cheese.
. Fruit – Swap cranberry sauce with raspberry jam, fig preserves, or apricot spread.
. Pastry – While puff pastry is the classic choice, crescent roll dough can also be used for a softer texture.
. Vegan Version – Use vegan puff pastry and dairy-free cheese alternatives with a cranberry compote.

These swaps keep the spirit of Cranberry Brie Knots alive while offering some exciting flavor variations.

Prep & Cook Time Table

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings	Yield
10 minutes	15–18 minutes	25–30 minutes	8–10 knots	1 baking sheet

Key Features

Why are Cranberry Brie Knots a must-try?

. Easy and beginner-friendly
. Only 3 core ingredients needed
. Ready in under 30 minutes
. Elegant presentation
. Kid- and crowd-approved
. Perfect balance of creamy, flaky, and sweet
. Ideal for holidays or casual entertaining

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Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	180 kcal
Total Fat	11 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Carbohydrates	14 g
Sugars	3 g
Protein	4 g
Sodium	170 mg
Cholesterol	25 mg

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Directions: Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cranberry Brie Knots

Making Cranberry Brie Knots at home is a joyful, relaxing process—and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You don’t need to be a professional baker or have fancy kitchen tools to make them perfectly flaky, golden, and cheesy. Below is your full breakdown of how to prepare these delightful pastry knots step by step. Grab your puff pastry and let’s get baking.

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Step 1: Gather and Prepare All Ingredients First

Before you start, set yourself up for success by prepping all your ingredients. Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed if it came from the freezer (about 30 to 40 minutes at room temp). Cold puff pastry is ideal for handling, but frozen dough straight from the freezer will crack and break.

Slice the brie into small cubes—roughly 1-inch pieces. You don’t need the rind removed unless you strongly prefer it without. The rind is edible and melts beautifully.

Spoon out your cranberry sauce into a small bowl and give it a quick stir. If it’s too thick, you can loosen it with a teaspoon of orange juice or warm water. This makes it easier to spoon and spread.

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Step 2: Roll Out and Cut the Puff Pastry

Lightly flour your clean work surface and gently roll out the puff pastry to smooth any creases. You don’t need to roll it too thin—just enough to even out the surface and ensure easy handling.

Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the pastry into strips about 1.5 inches wide and 6 inches long. The size doesn’t have to be perfect, but try to keep them uniform so all the Cranberry Brie Knots bake evenly. You should get 8 to 10 strips per sheet.

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Step 3: Add the Cheese and Cranberry Filling

Now for the fun part—the filling. On one end of each puff pastry strip, place a cube of brie. Then add about ½ teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top. Don’t go overboard here. Too much filling will make the pastry harder to twist and might leak during baking.

Press the brie and cranberry sauce gently into the dough to help it stay put during twisting. If you’re adding herbs or a pinch of salt, sprinkle them over the cranberry now.

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Step 4: Fold, Twist, and Tie Your Knots

Take the puff pastry strip and gently fold it lengthwise over the filling so it covers the brie and cranberry, pressing down the edges to lightly seal. Now twist the filled strip a few times like a rope.

To form the knot, gently tie the twisted strip into a loose knot shape. If any filling peeks out, no worries—that’s part of the charm. These rustic knots are meant to look a little imperfect. Just be sure they’re knotted tight enough that they won’t unravel while baking.

Place each knot on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for puffing.

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Step 5: Egg Wash for Golden Perfection

Whisk one egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to lightly coat the surface of each knot. This egg wash is your secret weapon for that irresistible golden, glossy finish that makes your Cranberry Brie Knots look bakery-fresh.

If desired, sprinkle a few with chopped rosemary or thyme for a hint of herbaceous flavor and color contrast.

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Step 6: Bake to Golden Glory

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking tray on the center rack and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the knots are puffed, golden brown, and lightly crisped on the edges.

Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes. The cheese may start to bubble and peek out—it’s a good sign! Once golden and fragrant, remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Serve Warm and Enjoy Every Bite

Cranberry Brie Knots are best enjoyed warm when the brie is gooey and the puff pastry is light and crisp. You can serve them as-is or with a side of extra cranberry sauce for dipping.

Place them on a rustic wooden board or a festive platter, and watch them disappear in minutes. Whether it’s a casual Sunday brunch or a formal holiday dinner, these knots steal the spotlight.

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Pro Tips for a Perfect Cranberry Brie Knots

• Cold Cheese, Cold Pastry – Keep the brie and puff pastry chilled until assembling. Warm pastry becomes sticky and hard to manage.
• Don’t Overfill – A little goes a long way. Too much cranberry sauce will leak out during baking.
• Line with Parchment Paper – It keeps everything from sticking and saves you the hassle when it’s time to clean up.
• Use Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter – For clean pastry strips without dragging or tearing.
• Bake Immediately After Assembling – Letting them sit too long may cause the pastry to soften too much.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are dozens of reasons to adore Cranberry Brie Knots, but here are the top ones:

. They strike the perfect flavor balance: creamy, tart, buttery, and savory.
. The texture is unbeatable—crispy layers of pastry hugging warm, gooey cheese.
. They feel fancy, but require zero culinary degrees to make.
. You can prepare them ahead and bake just before serving.
. They are just as good for brunch as they are for cocktail hour.

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What Makes This Recipe Unique?

It’s the knot technique that sets these apart. Most cranberry-brie pastries are just folded squares or pinwheels. Tying them into knots adds visual flair and a lovely layered texture. Each twist and turn gets beautifully golden, providing the perfect flaky contrast to the soft cheese center.

Also, Cranberry Brie Knots allow you to be playful with your flavors while sticking to a universally loved combo. They’re rustic, festive, and fully customizable.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make Cranberry Brie Knots ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them and refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for maximum freshness.

Q: Can I freeze Cranberry Brie Knots?
Absolutely. Freeze unbaked knots on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.

Q: What if I don’t like cranberry?
Try raspberry jam, fig preserves, or even caramelized onions for a savory variation.

Q: Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes, though the texture will be slightly softer and less flaky. Still delicious!

Q: How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
Seal the pastry edges well and don’t overfill. Some cheese will ooze—that’s normal and adds character!

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You’ll Also Love

If Cranberry Brie Knots got your taste buds tingling, try these next:

• Baked Spinach Mushroom Quesadillas – Simple and satisfying
• Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies – A creamy surprise in every bite
• Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo – Comfort food at its finest
• No-Bake Dragon Fruit Mini Cheesecakes – Colorful, cool, and creamy

Explore more irresistible recipes on www.beesrecipes.com.

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Conclusion

Cranberry Brie Knots are the ultimate example of simple ingredients creating extraordinary results. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a tray of golden, flaky knots bursting with creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce—a match made in culinary heaven.

Whether you’re hosting brunch, preparing for a holiday feast, or simply craving something elegant yet easy, this recipe delivers every single time. Plus, it’s endlessly versatile and so much fun to make.

Don’t forget to share your creations with #BeesRecipes on Instagram. We can’t wait to see your delicious take on this festive favorite!