Cozy Cranberry Brie Phyllo Cups: Easy Holiday Appetizer
These Cozy Cranberry Brie Phyllo Cups with Candied Pecans are a quick and easy holiday appetizer featuring creamy brie, tart cranberries, and crunchy candied pecans in a crispy phyllo cup. Perfect for gatherings, they come together in under 30 minutes and are sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Frozen phyllo cups (15-count package)
- Brie cheese (4 ounces)
- Fresh or frozen cranberries (1 cup)
- Pecan halves (1/2 cup)
- Butter (2 tablespoons)
- Honey (2 tablespoons)
- Brown sugar (2 tablespoons)
- Orange zest (1 teaspoon)
- Fresh thyme (a few sprigs, optional)
- Salt (a pinch)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, take the phyllo cups out of the freezer and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes.
- Make the candied pecans: In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the pecan halves and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the pecans. Transfer to a plate to cool.
- Cook the cranberries: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of cranberries, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries start to pop and soften.
- Prepare the brie: Cube the brie into small pieces—about 1/2-inch chunks. Leave the rind on or remove it as desired.
- Assemble the cups: Place a few cubes of brie into each phyllo cup (about 3-4 small cubes per cup). Spoon a small amount of the cranberry mixture on top of the brie.
- Bake the cups: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the brie is melted and bubbly and the edges of the phyllo cups are golden brown.
- Add the finishing touches: Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Top each cup with a candied pecan half and a few fresh thyme leaves if using.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Don’t skip the candied pecans—they add a caramelized crunch. Watch the phyllo cups closely as they can burn quickly. Let the cranberries cool slightly before adding to the cups to prevent premature melting of the brie. Use room temperature brie for even melting. Make extra candied pecans for snacking. Avoid overfilling the cups to prevent spillage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cranberry brie phyllo cups, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, brie appetizer, cranberry appetizer, candied pecans