Description
This Cranberry Baked Brie recipe offers a warm and gooey appetizer combining creamy brie cheese with sweet-tart cranberry sauce and optional crunchy walnuts. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings, it’s easy to prepare and serves beautifully with crackers, breadsticks, or fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) round brie, cold
Toppings
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped (optional)
Serving Suggestions
- Crackers, pita bread, breadsticks, and/or fruit for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a quarter sheet baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Bake the brie: Place the cold round brie directly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. This allows the cheese to become soft and melty.
- Rest before transferring: Remove the baked brie from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes to firm slightly, making it easier to transfer without breaking.
- Transfer and top: Carefully move the brie to a serving dish, or alternatively, transfer it with the parchment paper. Evenly spread the cranberry sauce on top of the brie, leaving about a ½-inch margin around the edges to keep the presentation tidy.
- Optional alternate topping method: For a more rustic, messy look with cranberry sauce dripping over the sides, add the cranberry sauce halfway through baking and return the brie to the oven. Bake until bubbly and slightly dripping.
- Add walnuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the cranberry sauce if using. This adds texture and a nutty flavor.
- Serve: Present the baked brie warm alongside crackers, pita bread, breadsticks, or fresh fruit for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- How long does it stay melted: The baked brie remains gooey for about 10-15 minutes after baking. It can still be eaten with a knife, but reheating is needed to return it to a fully melty stage.
- How to store: Allow the baked brie to cool to room temperature, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. Best enjoyed within 2-4 days for optimal flavor and texture, though safe up to a week.
- How to reheat: Reheat in a preheated 300°F oven for about 15 minutes or microwave in 10-20 second bursts until warm and gooey. Only reheat portions you plan to eat to preserve texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
