Baked brie with cranberry sauce is a quick and easy appetizer that's perfect for holiday parties and entertaining! Just 2 ingredients and ready in 10 minutes!
Previously I've shared easy microwave baked brie with apricots and bacon, which is great for a last-minute appetizer when guests drop by. It's a family favorite recipe that I got from my aunt years ago.
Today it's a different take on that party food favorite in this baked brie with cranberry sauce.
This melty, cheesy, gooey, creamy, slightly sweet, slightly tart appetizer is perfect for all your cocktail party needs.
It's also super festive with the cranberry sauce on top.
I like to add a little fresh herbs for garnish too and then we've got red, green and white. So fitting for the holidays!
Plus, it couldn't be easier.
We've just got 2 ingredients here, folks: brie and cranberry sauce. (The herbs are a fun third ingredient though.)
And all you do is put the cranberry sauce on the brie cheese wheel and pop the whole thing in the oven to get nice and warm and melted on the inside.
It's ready to serve in 10 minutes! That's my kind of easy holiday entertaining!
Plus, it's such a delicious combination with the creamy brie cheese that's balanced with the tart-sweet cranberry sauce. Mmm!
Everyone will be camped out by this dish for sure.
Recipe Notes:
Cranberry sauce: An easy homemade cranberry sauce works great for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite type of cranberry sauce, whether homemade or store-bought. You do want a thicker cranberry sauce though so it stays together on top of the cheese.
Garnish: I love serving this with a garnish of fresh rosemary to add a festive flair. You could also add a small amount of chopped fresh rosemary or chopped fresh thyme to the brie wheel, on top of the cranberry sauce, if you want a more herby flavor. (Just note that they can turn a bit brown in the oven.)
Honey: Feel free to add a drizzle of honey before serving if you want an extra sweet note or to balance out an especially tart cranberry sauce.
Nuts: You can also add some chopped fresh nuts - such as pecans or walnuts - as a garnish if you'd like.
Substitutions: While I love this recipe as is and think it's a fun way to use leftover cranberry sauce, you could also substitute a cranberry jam or holiday jam.
Or you could use a mix of cranberry sauce and another jam, like apricot. This could be fun with a hot pepper cranberry jelly as well.
Common question: Do I need to remove the rind from brie cheese?
The rind of brie cheese is perfectly edible. And you actually don't really notice it much after your brie is baked.
However, if you would like to remove the top rind, use a small pairing knife and cut around the circle, leaving a ½-inch edge around the outside to help keep the cranberry sauce contained. Lift out the top rind and continue with the recipe.
Serving Ideas:
Here's what to pair with your baked brie to serve this up.
Serve with chunks of soft fresh bread, toasted baguette slices and/or crackers. It can be nice to offer an assortment at a party. And these days, it helps to designate any breads or crackers that are gluten-free (the recipe is GF as is).
This would also go well with some sliced apples or pears for a fruit pairing.
Have a really large crowd? Choose a 15-ounce brie wheel and double the amount of cranberry sauce you use. It may need a couple extra minutes in the oven to get warmed through and melty.
Tips to Keep it Hot:
Since we're setting this out at a party, it may very well cool off before it gets even halfway eaten. Here are a few ideas to keep it nice and hot and bubbly.
- Leave your oven on and pop this cheese back into the oven for a few minutes to warm it up.
- Use a toaster oven. This fits great in there and can be a more fuss-free way to reheat the cheese so it's nice and hot.
- Pop this in the microwave. It just needs a minute to get all warm and melty again. (Cause you can "bake" your brie in the microwave entirely.) Just make sure it's a microwave-safe plate. And I'd remove any herb garnishes.
Holiday parties have nothing on you.
I hope you give this a try and enjoy the holiday season!
XO,
Kathryn
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 oz. round Brie wheel
- ½ cup prepared cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for baking or garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Remove the brie wheel from it's wrapping and place onto the middle of the parchment paper.
- Top the cheese wheel with the cranberry sauce. Add chopped fresh herbs if desired.
- Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes, until the brie is soft and melty.
- Remove and serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Want some more delicious appetizers for this holiday season? I've got you.
These mini baked brie bites are fun and festive, whether at Thanksgiving or Christmas, and can be topped a number of ways to customize how you want.
My holiday hummus is another easy holiday appetizer that's got the same colors going on. Same with this Christmas cheese ball that's so festive and scrumptious.
And old fashioned stuffed mushrooms are a classic app that's great for passing.
Or check out my holiday cocktail party recipe round-up for more festive food and drink inspiration!
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