Baked Brie with Cranberries (Easy Holiday Appetizer)
A quick overview of this warm Baked Brie with cranberries, walnuts, rosemary, orange zest, and a drizzle of honey. Emphasize that it's an easy holiday appetizer that's ready in about 20 minutes.
If I had to describe this Baked Brie with Cranberries in one sentence, I'd simply say it tastes like Christmas on a cracker. After one bite, I knew this would become one of my favorite holiday appetizers. The combination of creamy Brie, tart cranberries, fragrant rosemary, fresh orange zest, crunchy walnuts, and a drizzle of honey is festive, comforting, and incredibly delicious.
It's also one of the easiest appetizers you can make. With just a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes, you'll have a warm, melty Brie that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties, or any winter gathering. It looks beautiful on an appetizer table, pairs perfectly with crackers on a charcuterie board, and is always one of the first dishes to disappear.
Whether you're hosting a crowd or simply want something special to enjoy with a glass of wine, this baked Brie is an easy recipe you'll find yourself making year after year.
At a Glance: Baked Brie with Cranberries
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- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
- Total Time: About 20 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties, and winter entertaining
- Key Ingredients: Brie, chunky cranberry sauce, walnuts, fresh rosemary, orange zest, honey
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Why you'll love this recipe
Ready in about 20 minutes: With just a few minutes of prep and a short bake time, this elegant appetizer comes together quickly, making it perfect for holiday entertaining or unexpected guests.
Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas: The combination of cranberries, rosemary, orange, and Brie is made for the holiday season. It's an easy appetizer that feels festive without requiring much effort.
Sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy: Every bite has a little bit of everything. Creamy melted Brie, tart cranberry sauce, buttery walnuts, fragrant rosemary, bright orange zest, and a drizzle of honey create the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Made with just a handful of ingredients: You only need a few simple ingredients to make an appetizer that looks impressive enough for any holiday gathering.
Beautiful on a holiday appetizer table: Whether you're serving it with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette, this baked Brie makes a stunning centerpiece for a holiday charcuterie board or appetizer spread.
Ingredients
This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients, but each one adds something special. The combination of tart cranberries, creamy Brie, fresh rosemary, bright orange zest, crunchy walnuts, and honey creates an appetizer that's full of holiday flavor.
Brie: Use one small 8-ounce wheel of Brie. Leave the rind on, as it helps the cheese hold its shape while baking. Lightly score the top in a crosshatch pattern so the cranberry sauce settles into the cheese as it bakes.
Chunky cranberry sauce: Chunky cranberry sauce adds just the right balance of sweetness and tartness while giving the finished Brie beautiful color and texture. Reserve a small spoonful to garnish the Brie after baking, if desired.
Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a rich, buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries and creamy Brie. Pecans also make a delicious substitute.
Fresh rosemary: A small amount of fresh rosemary adds warmth and a classic holiday flavor that complements the cranberries without overpowering them.
Orange zest: Fresh orange zest brightens the entire recipe and adds a fresh citrus note that pairs beautifully with both the cranberries and rosemary.
Honey: A drizzle of honey after baking brings everything together. It adds just the right amount of sweetness and gives the cranberry topping a beautiful glossy finish.
How to make baked Brie with cranberries
- Step 1: Score the Brie
Place the wheel of Brie in a small baking dish or Brie baker. Using a sharp knife, lightly score the top in a crosshatch pattern so the cranberry sauce settles into the cheese as it bakes.
- Step 2: Add the cranberry sauce
Spoon the chunky cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the Brie, spreading it to cover most of the scored surface.
- Step 3: Sprinkle with walnuts and rosemary
Top the cranberry sauce with the chopped walnuts and finely chopped rosemary, distributing them evenly over the Brie.
- Step 4: Bake until soft
Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft and creamy in the center. Depending on your oven, it may need a few additional minutes.
- Step 5: Finish with honey and orange zest
Remove the Brie from the oven and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with the fresh orange zest and, if desired, a few fresh rosemary leaves for garnish.
- Step 6: Serve warm
Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices while the Brie is warm, melty, and easy to spread.
Tips for the best baked Brie
Leave the rind on: There's no need to remove the rind before baking. It's completely edible and helps the Brie hold its shape as it softens in the oven.
Don't skip the honey after baking: A drizzle of honey after baking is the finishing touch that brings this recipe together. It adds a little extra sweetness, balances the tart cranberries, and gives the topping a beautiful glossy finish.
Add the orange zest after baking: Fresh orange zest is brightest when added after the Brie comes out of the oven. It adds a burst of fresh citrus flavor that perfectly complements the cranberries and rosemary.
Reserve a little cranberry sauce for garnish: Save a small spoonful of cranberry sauce to add after baking. It gives the finished Brie a fresh pop of color and makes the presentation even more beautiful.
Serve while warm: Baked Brie is best enjoyed while it's warm and creamy. Have your crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette ready so everyone can enjoy it at its best.
What to serve with baked Brie
This holiday baked Brie pairs beautifully with a variety of breads, crackers, fresh fruit, and crunchy toppings. Arrange a few options around the Brie so guests can build their favorite combination.
Crackers: Buttery crackers, water crackers, or artisan crackers provide the perfect crisp base for the warm, creamy Brie.
Crostini: Toasted crostini add a satisfying crunch and are sturdy enough to hold plenty of Brie and cranberry topping.
Toasted baguette: Slices of toasted baguette are a classic pairing that complement the rich Brie without overpowering the flavors.
Apple slices: Crisp apple slices add a refreshing contrast to the creamy cheese and sweet-tart cranberry topping.
Pear slices: Sweet, ripe pears pair beautifully with Brie and make an elegant addition to a holiday appetizer platter.
Grapes: Fresh grapes add color, freshness, and a juicy bite that balances the richness of the cheese.
Candied pecans or walnuts: For an extra-special presentation, serve a small bowl of candied pecans or walnuts alongside the Brie. Their sweet crunch pairs perfectly with the cranberries and honey.
Variations
Use pecans instead of walnuts: Swap the walnuts for chopped pecans if you prefer a slightly sweeter, buttery crunch. Both pair beautifully with the cranberries and Brie.
Try homemade cranberry sauce: If you have leftover homemade cranberry sauce, it's a wonderful substitute for canned cranberry sauce and adds even more homemade flavor.
Add a pinch of cinnamon: For a warmer holiday flavor, sprinkle a small pinch of ground cinnamon over the cranberry sauce before baking.
Drizzle with rosemary-infused honey: Instead of regular honey, finish the Brie with a drizzle of rosemary-infused honey for an extra layer of herbal flavor that complements the cranberries and rosemary.
Use brown sugar instead of honey: If you prefer, sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar over the cranberry sauce before baking instead of finishing the Brie with honey. The brown sugar melts into the cranberry topping and adds a rich caramel-like sweetness.
Make it sweet and spicy: For a little heat, replace part of the cranberry sauce with hot pepper jelly or add a spoonful of pepper jelly on top before baking. The sweet and spicy combination is delicious with creamy Brie.
Make ahead and storage
Make ahead: You can assemble the Brie several hours in advance. Score the Brie, top it with the cranberry sauce, walnuts, and rosemary, then cover and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. Add the honey and fresh orange zest after baking for the best flavor and presentation.
Storage: Store leftover baked Brie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The Brie will firm up as it cools but will become creamy again when reheated.
Reheating: Reheat the Brie in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until warmed through and soft in the center. If desired, add a fresh drizzle of honey and a little extra orange zest before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Lightly score the top of the Brie, spread the cranberry sauce over it, and sprinkle with chopped walnuts and fresh rosemary. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft in the center. Finish with a drizzle of honey and fresh orange zest before serving.
No. Leave the rind on the Brie before baking. It's completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape while the inside becomes warm and creamy.
Baked Brie is delicious with buttery crackers, water crackers, crostini, toasted baguette slices, apple slices, pear slices, grapes, or candied nuts. Offering a variety of dippers makes it easy for guests to create their favorite combination.
For this recipe, bake the Brie uncovered. Leaving it uncovered allows the cranberry topping to warm through while keeping the walnuts slightly toasted. If you're using a Brie baker with a lid, save the lid for serving or for keeping the Brie warm after it comes out of the oven.
Baked Brie with Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 wheel Brie (8 ounce)
- ⅓ cup chunky cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon honey, for drizzling after baking
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- Crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the Brie in a small baking dish or Brie baker. Using a sharp knife, lightly score the top of the Brie in a crosshatch pattern.
- Spread the chunky cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the Brie.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and finely chopped rosemary over the cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft and creamy in the center.
- Depending on your oven, it may need a few additional minutes.
- Remove the Brie from the oven and drizzle with the honey.
- Sprinkle with the fresh orange zest and garnish with a few fresh rosemary leaves, if desired.
- Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices while the Brie is warm and melty.
Notes
- If possible, let the Brie sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before baking for more even melting.
- Use a baking dish that's just slightly larger than the wheel of Brie to help contain the melted cheese as it softens.
- For the best presentation, use whole berry or chunky cranberry sauce rather than smooth cranberry sauce.
- Let the Brie rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. It will still be warm and creamy but will be easier to spread onto crackers.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the brand of Brie, cranberry sauce, and other ingredients used, as well as the crackers or bread served alongside it.
Nutrition
This Baked Brie with Cranberries is one of those holiday appetizers that looks elegant but couldn't be easier to make. The combination of creamy Brie, tart cranberries, buttery walnuts, fresh rosemary, bright orange zest, and a drizzle of honey creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Whether you're serving it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy winter gathering, this warm baked Brie is guaranteed to be one of the first appetizers to disappear. If you make it, I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a comment and star rating below, and let me know if it becomes a new holiday tradition in your home.
Enjoy!
