Description
A warm and elegant holiday appetizer featuring a creamy baked brie cheese topped with a sweet and spiced whole berry cranberry sauce, toasted nuts, and fresh rosemary. Perfect for serving with crackers or crostini at festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) cold brie cheese round
Cranberry Topping
- 1/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (such as Spiced Cranberry Sauce)
- 2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (from 1/2 medium orange)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Toppings and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
Serving
- Assorted store-bought or homemade crackers, or crostini
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the brie cheese perfectly.
- Prepare the Cranberry Mixture. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg until fully combined. This mixture will add a sweet and spiced glaze to the brie.
- Arrange the Brie. Place the cold 8-ounce brie cheese round into a small baking dish or pie plate. If you plan to transfer after baking, line the dish with parchment paper to make removal easier.
- Top the Brie. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the top of the brie. Then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of coarsely chopped nuts over the cranberry sauce. Add one sprig of fresh rosemary on top if you like the added aroma and flavor.
- Bake the Brie. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 15 minutes, checking frequently. The cheese should feel soft when gently poked but not completely melted or oozing. Be careful not to overbake to keep it creamy yet intact.
- Serve. If you used parchment paper, carefully lift the baked brie out using a spatula and slide it onto a serving dish. Remove the baked rosemary sprig and replace it with a fresh one for garnish if desired. Serve immediately with assorted crackers or crostini for dipping.
Notes
- This is the easiest holiday appetizer, requiring minimal ingredients and preparation time.
- Do not overbake the brie to avoid it melting completely and losing its shape.
- Fresh rosemary is optional but adds a delightful aroma and visual appeal.
- You can use store-bought or homemade cranberry sauce based on preference.
- Choose your favorite nuts for topping to add crunch and flavor variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 231
- Sugar: 8.6 g
- Sodium: 113 mg
- Fat: 14.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.3 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 11.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
