Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers ยป Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce (Perfect Holiday Appetizer)

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce (Perfect Holiday Appetizer)

posted December 16, 2023 by
Cassandra Morris
Impress your guests this holiday season with a cheesy, luscious and fancy cranberry baked brie thatโ€™s easy to make and will leave a lasting impression.

Thereโ€™s nothing like a warm, melty, and slightly sweet appetizer to set the tone for your holiday gatherings, and this Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is just the thing. Imagine a wheel of creamy brie (plus a bit of cheddar), baked until itโ€™s soft and gooey, topped with tart and slightly sweet homemade cranberry sauce. Then, thereโ€™s some rosemary that laces it with an extra layer of fragrance and freshness.ย 

Encircling the brie is a flaky, golden-brown biscuit thatโ€™s buttered with parsley, which people can just pull apart before dipping it into the cheese. This cranberry baked brie is going to be that one holiday appetizer that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Itโ€™s the perfect crowd-pleaser for any holiday celebration or dinner party.

This recipe goes well with low-tannin wines and white wines. Pour a glass of Chardonnay or Riesling to enjoy with it. Wining and dining done right ๐Ÿ™‚

Do You Take the Rind Off Brie Before Baking?

When it comes to brie, the rind can become the center of a debate between cheese lovers. The good-bacteria laden rind has a strong and earthy, almost bitter taste that some people donโ€™t enjoy and prefer to leave out of their cheese boards.

But, for the purpose of this cranberry baked brie, Iโ€™d say I have found a win-win solution. Before baking the brie, we will take off only the top rind. And before you fault me for anything, hear me out: if we leave the rind on, we wouldnโ€™t be able to get to the warm, gooey center of the baked brie. Cutting out only the top rind and leaving the rest on turns our cheese into a sort of brie bowl, with the structure still intact whilst everything inside is soft. 

Recipe Ingredients

What you will need for the brie dip: 

  • Brie cheese โ€“ Get 1 large round of brie cheese and let it warm up to room temperature. Since it is the main ingredient in this recipe, letโ€™s use high quality cheese. It will make all the difference.
    • Pro Tip: Brie thatโ€™s good has a rind thatโ€™s firm but not super chewy. If your cheese smells of ammonia, it has gone bad.
  • Cranberry sauce โ€“ Get ยผ cup of cranberry sauce. We are using the canned type here but if you have your own homemade cranberry sauce, even better. This recipe is also a great way to use any leftover cranberry sauce at home.ย 
  • White cheddar โ€“Get your favorite white cheddar cheese and shred ยผ cup of it. Always shred your own cheese for the best results!
  • Fresh rosemary โ€“ To infuse the cheese dip with a woody, minty aroma. Be careful that nobody eats the tough rosemary stem to be safe.ย 

Prepare the biscuits with the following ingredients: 

  • Pillsbury flaky rolls โ€“ These will be the biscuit around the cheese. I use Pillsbury, but you can use any other brand stocked in your supermarket.
  • Unsalted butter โ€“ To brush on the flaky rolls, giving it a smooth and shiny finish.
  • Fresh parsley โ€“ Finely chop some fresh parsley.
  • Salt and black pepper โ€“ Just ยฝ teaspoon of each for seasoning.ย ย 

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe looks fancy but itโ€™s so simple to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes. 

Step One: Preheat the oven to 375ยฐF. Cut the flaky rolls in half and roll into balls. 

Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and fresh parsley. 

Step Three: Arrange biscuits in a ring around the edge of a large skillet or glass dish and brush with butter parsley mixture. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Step Four: Using a sharp knife, remove the top rind of the brie round to create a brie bowl. Then, place it in the center of the biscuits. Bake the brie for 10 minutes until it starts to melt.

Step Five: Remove the baking dish from the oven and top with cranberry sauce over the brie cheese. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese to the melted brie and gently fold to combine. 

Gently smoothen the cheese mixture into an even layer using a spatula, a butter knife, or a spoon. Top it off with a sprig of rosemary in the middle. Bake in the oven for another 8 minutes until the cheese has melted.

  • Pro Tip: This cranberry baked brie is best served warm, straight from the oven. It will stay warm and oozy for up to 30 minutes, after which you can reheat it in the microwave to get it back to the same texture.ย 

Bon Appetit!

Is it cranberry season where you are? There are so many yummy recipes to use these ruby-colored fruits in, such as this cranberry rosemary chicken and the best turkey cranberry sliders

Cranberry Brie Dip With Flaky Roll Bitesย | cookingwithcassandra.com

Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe

Impress your guests this holiday season with a cheesy, luscious and fancy cranberry baked brie thatโ€™s easy to make and will leave a lasting impression.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 large round of brie cheese at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded white cheddar
  • 1 sprig rosemary

Flaky Rolls

  • 1.5 cans refrigerated Pillsbury flaky rolls, cut in half (or whatever store-bought flaky rolls you have at your grocery store) (340 grams each can)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ยฐ. Cut flaky rolls in half and roll into balls.
  • In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and fresh parsley.
  • Place biscuits in a ring around the edge of a large skillet or glass dish and brush with butter parsley mixture. Season with sea salt and pepper.
  • Using a sharp knife remove the top rind of the brie round. Then place brie in the center of the biscuits. Bake for 10 minutes until the brie is starting to melt.
  • Remove from the oven and add cranberry sauce and cheddar to melted brie and gently fold to combine. Smooth the cheese mixture into an even layer and top with rosemary. Return to the oven to melt cheddar for another 8 minutes.
  • Bon Appetit!
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I’m Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

pink flower

Hello, Spring!

Lemon Bars Recipe

Close-up of a thick lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust and vibrant lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Who else LOVES lemon bars?! For me, theyโ€™re one of my all-time favorite dessertsโ€”bright, tangy, buttery perfection. This lemon bars recipe is one Iโ€™ve tested to perfection, made with an easy, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a smooth lemon filling that strikes just the right balance of sweet and tart. I love a generous bite, which is why I created this recipe in a 9x9-inch pan, giving you that perfect ratio of thick lemon filling to buttery crust. If life gives you lemons, this is the recipe to make. Whether youโ€™re bringing dessert to a spring brunch, prepping for a holiday tray,...

Best Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist banana cake slice topped with cream cheese frosting being lifted from the pan, showing fluffy texture and creamy topping

If youโ€™re looking for a cake thatโ€™s perfectly moist, full of banana flavor, and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is exactly what you need! With its soft texture and sweet, subtle notes of maple syrup, this cake is the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Whether you're baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this one will have everyone asking for your recipe! Itโ€™s always a hit at my gatherings. This easy banana cake is made in a 9ร—9-inch pan, keeping things much simpler than a traditional layer cake, making it a go-to...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundlesย | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  Iโ€™ll be honest: it doesnโ€™t look like much at first, and itโ€™s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But donโ€™t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and youโ€™ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes youโ€™ll ever have.  It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Fully glazed brown sugar ham sliced and served with orange slices and rosemary on a white platter.

Looking for the perfect holiday ham thatโ€™s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests? This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is everything you need and more. Itโ€™s sweet, savory, juicy, and has the yummiest sticky glaze with hints of garlic, orange, and warm spices. Whether itโ€™s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this ham will be the star of the table. And yesโ€”it's so much better than the store-bought glaze packets. Once you try this homemade brown sugar glaze, youโ€™ll never go back! And if you're feeling a little intimidated by cooking a whole...

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

You Might Also Like

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  Iโ€™ll be honest: it doesnโ€™t look...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Crispy Salami Bites

Looking for a quick, no-fuss appetizer thatโ€™s packed with flavor? These Crispy Salami Bites have you covered! With a crispy, savory base topped with feta,...

Crispy Salami Bites

Chili Cheese Dipย 

At home, I try to make sure that my pantry is always stocked with tortilla chips. Itโ€™s fun to eat on its own, but even...

Chili Cheese Dipย 

๎‚š

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cookingwithcassandra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithcassandra

2 Comments

  1. Jan

    Hi. I made the Cranberry Baked Brie recipe substituting the cranberry sauce/cheese mixture with 1/4 cup crushed (with fork) fresh mixed berries and 1/4 cup mixed berry jam. Big hit! Thanks for this easy and delicious recipe.

    Reply
    • Cassandra Morris

      Hi Jan with the Jam (sorry I just had too LOL)! Thank you so much for trying one of my recipes and taking time to leave a comment! That sounds so good! I love your idea of using fresh mixed berries and jamโ€”it must have added such a bright, fruity flavor. Iโ€™m so happy to hear it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your twist on the recipe.. I am going to try it that way next time I make this! Hope you are able to try more recipes from the blog! Cheers! ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

ย Iโ€™m so happy youโ€™re here! Iโ€™m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Letโ€™s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesnโ€™t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

Jujeh kabab - Eating | cookingwithcassandra.com

Get the Inside

Scoop

Be the first to receive free e-books, recipes, inspiration, and exclusive extras you wonโ€™t want to miss!

We wonโ€™t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.