Description
This Cranberry Baked Brie is an elegant and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring a warm, creamy brie wheel layered with tangy cranberry sauce and optional nuts. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
1 8-oz round wheel of brie, cold
1 cup homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce
¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
For canned sauce variation:
1 (14-oz) can whole cranberry sauce
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 Tbsp granulated sugar (optional)
1–2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract (or orange extract or 1–2 Tbsp spiced rum)
½ tsp ground allspice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If using canned sauce: combine cranberry sauce, sugars, orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, and allspice. Stir and set aside.
- Slice brie wheel in half horizontally to create two rounds. Place bottom half, rind-side down, on parchment.
- Spread ½ cup cranberry sauce on bottom round, leaving a ½-inch border.
- Top with the second brie round, rind-side up. Spread remaining ½ cup cranberry sauce over top, again leaving a border.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if using.
- Bake for 7–10 minutes until cheese softens but holds shape. Do not overbake.
- Remove from oven, garnish with rosemary, and serve immediately with crackers, bread, or veggies.
Notes
- Use walnuts, almonds, or skip nuts for a smoother bite.
- Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the top before baking for sweetness.
- Infuse cranberry sauce with rosemary or thyme for a savory note.
- Try wrapping the brie in puff pastry for a more elegant touch.
- Prep ahead but bake just before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 wheel with topping
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
