Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce – The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect party appetizer that looks impressive but is super easy! 🎉
• Warm, gooey cheese with sweet-tart cranberry sauce - the ultimate combination
• Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish
• Vegetarian-friendly and packed with festive flavors

Tools You'll Need

Ingredients

• 8-ounce round brie cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup hazelnuts, unroasted and roughly chopped
• Fresh rosemary, to garnish
• Assorted crackers, for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Prepare brie: Peel or slice off the top rind of the brie and scrape out a small amount of cheese to form a shallow hollow in the center.
3. Position brie: Place the cheese in a small baking dish. If transferring to a serving dish later, line the pan with parchment paper.
4. Make topping: Mix the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, zest, and nutmeg in a bowl.
5. Top brie: Spread the cranberry mixture over the brie and sprinkle with hazelnuts.
6. Bake: Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the cheese is gooey but not collapsed.
7. Serve: Carefully transfer to a serving dish if desired, garnish with rosemary, and serve immediately with crackers.

Pro Tips

• Room temperature brie: Let the brie come to room temperature for even melting.
• Watch carefully: Baking time varies - remove when cheese is soft but before it collapses.
• Parchment paper: Using parchment makes transferring to a serving plate much easier.
• Serve immediately: Baked brie is best enjoyed warm and gooey right out of the oven.

Recipe Variations

• Different nuts: Try pecans, walnuts, or almonds instead of hazelnuts.
• Fruit variations: Use fig jam, apricot preserves, or apple butter instead of cranberry sauce.
• Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the topping.
• Herb options: Use thyme or sage instead of rosemary for garnish.

FAQs

Can I leave the rind on?
Yes! The rind is edible, but removing the top helps the cheese melt beautifully and makes it easier to eat.

Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare the topping ahead, but assemble and bake just before serving for best results.

What if I don't have fresh cranberry sauce?
High-quality store-bought cranberry sauce works perfectly in this recipe.

How do I know when it's done?
The cheese should be soft and jiggly when shaken, with the topping bubbling but the brie still holding its shape.

So there you have it - the most irresistible Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce that will make your holiday entertaining absolutely effortless! 

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments how your brie turned out.