This easy Cranberry Baked Brie recipe skips the puff pastry for a naturally gluten-free brie appetizer that’s creamy, festive, and ready in 20 minutes. Topped with cranberry sauce, walnuts, and honey, it’s a sweet and savory showstopper for any holiday gathering
I remember going to a party as a child and they had a wheel of brie, wrapped in puff pastry. I thought that baked brie appetizer was the coolest, most elegant thing ever. Everyone loved it!
That recipe had a lot of steps involved, from an egg wash to a puff pastry...
Fast forward many years later and I still think about that tasty appetizer, and how I could make a Christmas and New Year's entertaining version that was equally as tasty, minus any of the fuss.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Who doesn't love an ooey-gooey cheese moment? This brie appetizer is streamlined it for holiday entertaining. Because flavors like creamy brie, tart cranberry, crunchy walnuts (and hey — maybe a drizzle of honey) deserve the spotlight without fuss.
- It's quick - Ready in only 20 minutes, this appetizer hits that perfect sweet-salty-creamy vibe that makes a party plate pop.
Related: You'll also love my cranberry goat cheese log.
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
- brie cheese - You'll find this in a round cardboard container. It is soft, creamy, and slightly nutty, with a rich texture that melts beautifully when warmed, making it perfect for this appetizer recipe.
- cranberry sauce - I like to use leftover homemade cranberry sauce if I have it leftovers from Thanksgiving, but you can 100% add store bought sauce to your shopping list instead! I'd recommend grabbing a can of whole cranberry sauce as opposed to the jellied cranberries. It's lower in sugar and tastes amazing.
- dried cranberries - a brand name is Craisins that you might recognize. You can use leftover dried cranberries from my cranberry orange scones.
- walnuts - these add texture and flavor. Pecans, pistachios or chopped almonds are good swaps.
- honey - adds some sweetness
- rosemary sprigs - if you can spring for the fresh rosemary, the aromatics are spectacular! Talk about holiday smells 🥰
- crackers, baguette slices or fresh fruit for serving.
🥣 How to make baked cranberry Brie with walnuts
- Step 1: Unwrap the brie (you can leave the white rind intact — it’s edible and adds flavor) and place it on the prepared sheet. Bake for ~10 minutes, until the cheese is slightly softened.
Remove from oven, then use two forks (gently) to pull back/open the top of the brie a bit — this allows the toppings to sink in.
- Step 2: Spread the cranberry sauce on top, then scatter the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts.
- Step 3: Drizzle with honey, and lay the rosemary sprigs on top for aroma and garnish.
Return to the oven and bake another 5-10 minutes (depending on how gooey you like your cheese) until toppings are warmed and the cheese is fully soft.
- Step 4: Remove from oven, let rest for a minute or two, then transfer to your serving platter. Serve immediately with baguette slices, crackers, and/or fruit slices.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, grapes or apple slices to round out your cheese board for a pretty presentation.
Variations
- Top with cranberry apple chutney instead of the cranberry sauce for a fun twist.
- Use dried cherries instead of the dried cranberries.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with your favorite crackers, or warmed baguette slices.
- Add fresh apple or pear slices to the platter for a lovely contrast.
- For a wine pairing: A Chardonnay or Pinot Noir works beautifully with baked brie.
- Bring the brie straight to the table on a wooden board — let guests dig in and share the gooey goodness.
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Farm Girl Tip
Use a brie that’s at room temperature before baking for even melting.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftover baked brie (once cooled) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To reheat: Preheat oven to 350 °F, remove plastic wrap, loosely cover with foil, and bake for ~10-15 minutes until warm and melty again.
- Leftover warmed brie is fabulous on a turkey sandwich (yes, it’s that good!).
FAQS
Nope! The rind is edible, adds a lovely earthy flavor, and contrasts nicely with the creamy interior.
I like simple water crackers for their neutral profile. Butter-rich crackers (like Ritz) also work for a richer bite. A rosemary-infused cracker would harmonize beautifully with the flavors here — especially for holiday entertaining.
This sweet-and-savory baked brie is going to be your new go-to appetizer for holiday gatherings. It's effortless, elegant, and invites your guests to linger, snack, and enjoy. Serve, smile, repeat.
Did you try this?
If you tried this baked brie with cranberries, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments.
Related
Looking for more cranberry recipes? Try these:
More appetizer recipes
Recipe
Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces brie cheese sold in a wheel
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce homemade or store-bought
- 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries Craisins is a common brand
- ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
For Serving
- 1 French baguette warmed and sliced on the diagonal
- apple or pear slices for serving
- water crackers or other crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Place the brie on the prepared baking sheet and transfer it to the oven to bake for 10 minutes.
- 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.
- Return brie to 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. Serve the baked brie on a decorative platter alongside sliced baguette, fruit, or crackers.
Notes
- Switch this up to a pecan baked brie with a simple switch from walnuts to pecans. Easy Peasy!
- Top with cranberry apple chutney instead of the cranberry sauce for a fun twist.
- Use dried cherries instead of the dried cranberries.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
