Cranberry Baked Brie Appetizer
Smooth and gooey baked brie with a tangy cranberry topping
This is a wonderfully simple and elegant appetizer recipe that combines the seasonal flavor of cranberries with the classic presentation of baked brie.
Baked brie is always a favorite appetizer at parties and gatherings. There's something comforting about the smooth mild cheese combined with crisp crackers or soft bread rounds. Adding a tart cranberry sauce to the brie kicks up the flavor and makes the presentation even more stunning.
Serve the brie with gourmet crackers, rounds of French or sourdough bread, or wedges of flatbread. Don't forget to put out a couple of pretty spreading knives! If cranberries aren't your thing, try Peach and Almond Baked Brie instead - or serve both to give guests more options.
Feeding a crowd? Figure out how many appetizers you'll need!
To garnish your Cranberry Baked Brie, use shaved or grated citrus rind, fresh mint leaves, surround the serving plate with whole fresh cranberries if desired. The finished brie will look great on its own though, with its shiny red topping.
Use the recipe below to make your own cranberry sauce, or use purchased whole berry cranberry sauce.
Cranberry Baked Brie
- 1 wheel brie cheese (8-12 ounces)
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup cranberry sauce (recipe below)
- citrus rind, mint leaves, or whole cranberries for garnish, if desired
- assorted crackers or bread rounds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove outer wrapping from brie wheel. Using a very sharp knife, remove the rind from the top of the wheel only, leaving the rind on the sides and bottom intact. Place brie in a shallow pie plate or casserole dish that is slightly bigger than the brie itself.
Spread the cranberry sauce over the top of the brie, to within 1/4 inch of the edge all the way around.
Bake brie in the preheated oven until heated through; about 12-15 minutes. Serve in the casserole dish or transfer carefully to a serving plate. Serve warm with crackers or bread.
Makes about 12-14 appetizer-sized servings.
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup orange juice or apple cider
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 bag fresh or thawed frozen cranberries (12 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
In a medium saucepan, combine juice and sugar; bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
Add cranberries and continue simmering until cranberries pop and mixture has thickened; about 10-12 minutes. Stir in cinnamon, if desired.
Serve warm or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
Looking for some more festive recipes? Try Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs, Reindeer Food, Hot Dip Recipes, and Christmas Cocktails.
