Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

Learn how to make baked brie with cranberries and walnuts, it’s the perfect holiday party appetizer. It’s quick, fancy, and tastes delicious!

The holidays are quickly approaching and if you are hosting a holiday party this year, then you are likely looking for new recipes to try.

One delicious appetizer that is perfect for the holiday season is baked brie with cranberries and walnuts.

This easy appetizer recipe combines sweet, tart, salty, nutty, and creamy all in one bite. The ingredients can be found at most grocery stores or farmer markets which makes it easy to plan ahead. It’s easy to make and it will definitely be a hit!

The best part about this simple recipe though is that it is gluten-free. Many baked brie recipes wrap the cheese in puff pastry and bake it. It’s also absolutely delicious baked that way but it takes a lot longer, and it is a no go for guests with gluten intolerance. This melty brie cheese is a yummy appetizer everyone can enjoy.

If you’re hosting a holiday event this year make sure to include this tasty festive cheese dish on your menu!

What is Brie?

Brie is a type of cheese whose origins come from Brie, France. Brie is most commonly known for its creamy texture and mild taste. Brie belongs to the ‘soft’ group of cheeses because its rind (the cheese’s outer layer) ripens quickly, which results in a soft, edible rind.

I prefer to use double cream or triple cream Brie, as the higher fat content really brings out the creamy taste and makes for a more elegant appetizer.

Do you Take the Rind Off Brie Before Baking?

You do not need or want to remove Brie’s rind before baking Brie. Brie is a soft cheese, and its rind is edible. Plus the rind is what holds this whole thing together once baked.

Brie actually has a long history in which Brie was once eaten with the rind still on it because that part of Brie was considered to be a delicacy among the French aristocracy!

Should Brie be at Room Temperature Before Baking?

Yes, Brie should be at room temperature before baking so that it bakes through evenly. Simply sit it out on the counter about an hour before you intend to bake it.

What Goes with Baked Brie?

Baked Bries can be served with a variety of different options:

• Apple Slices
• Pear Slices
• Plain white crackers
• Crostini
• Fresh Bread
• Cucumber Slices
• Baby Carrots
• Celery

About the Ingredients for Cranberry Baked Brie

Brie – You want to use some good quality double cream or triple cream brie for this recipe.

Cranberry Sauce – Cranberry sauce is easy to make homemade. You can make it with fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries.

Cranberries – You can do this two ways – with dried cranberries, or just a lot more cranberry sauce. I think the dried cranberries add a nice bit of chewy texture though.

Walnuts – You can also use pecans, they are really wonderful with brie.

Honey – You can also use 100% pure maple syrup instead here if you prefer.

Rosemary – Fresh rosemary is preferred but dried rosemary will work in a pinch.

Looking for More Easy Holiday Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite recipes for holiday dinners and holiday parties. These are delicious recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years etc..

This savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe is lightly spiced and creamy, making them the perfect side dish to complete any holiday meal.

If you are looking for a tasty holiday side dish look no further than this Portobello & Sage Stuffed Acorn Squash.

This delicious cranberry pear sauce with rosemary and ginger is sure to be a hit at Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving this holiday season!

How to Make Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

Yields: 4 Servings | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

8 oz. brie cheese wheel
¼ c. cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
2 T. dried cranberries (Craisins)
½ c. walnuts, roughly chopped
1 T. honey, preferably local
2 rosemary sprigs

To serve:

1 French baguette, warmed and sliced on the diagonal
Fresh vegetables for dipping such as baby carrots, celery, cucumber rounds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
2. Place the brie on the prepared baking sheet and transfer it to the oven to bake  for 10 minutes.
3. Remove brie from the oven, and using two forks, gently expose the creamy layer beneath the crusty top of the cheese. Spread the cranberry sauce on top of the cheese, followed by the dried cranberries and walnuts. Drizzle with honey and top with fresh rosemary.
4. Return brie in the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until all the toppings are warm and the brie is heated to your desired temperature.
5. Serve the baked brie on a decorative platter alongside sliced baguette and vegetable dippers. Enjoy!