Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts
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This Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts recipe is a delectable holiday appetizer. It’s festive appearance makes it a pretty addition to a Thanksgiving charcuterie board. Or you can serve it as a stand alone appetizer.
I am absolutely in love with using cookie cutters to make cheese cutouts! It’s an easy way to level up your parties, and your guests will think you spent all day in the kitchen.
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For this version of baked Brie with cranberries and walnuts, I’m using a turkey cookie cutter. But you can customize this recipe to any holiday by changing the cookie cutter shape. Or change the fruit and try this baked apple brie – the gooey cheese is divine.
The cutters work well for any kind of cheese. Simply coordinate the size of the cutter to the size of the cheese you want to cut.
You have to see how I added this baked Brie appetizer to my Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board. It turned out to amazing if I say so myself! Or use it as a stand alone easy Thanksgiving appetizer.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
What is Brie?
Brie cheese can be made from goat or cow’s milk and has a soft and buttery texture. It is encased in a molded rind that is considered a delicacy in some circles.
Originating in France, Brie is made from raw milk. While the U.S can import it, the imported cheese is not truly authentic. This is because of the aging process – by the time the authentic cheese arrived here, it would already be too ripe to eat.
Can You Eat the Rind?
Yes! The rind actually serves a purpose by protecting the cheese from unwanted bacteria during production. Even though it’s technically a mold, the outside rind is edible. It has a slightly bitter taste that doesn’t appeal to everyone.
Ingredients for Baked Cranberry Walnut Brie
- Brie cheese wheel
- Whole berry cranberry sauce – use the quick recipe below or store bought
- Walnuts or pecans – chopped
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Brie Cranberries and Walnuts
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a baking mat.
Place the Brie cheese wheel on the prepared baking sheet.
Using your cookie cutter, gently press it down through the center of the cheese wheel. If the cheese is thicker, slice the cutout in half horizontally, maintaining the cutter shape. Return the cheese back to the center.
Place the cheese in the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cheese has softened. Remove pan from the oven, and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding the cranberry sauce and nuts.
Quick Links for Holiday Cookie Cutters:
How to Make Quick Cranberry Walnut Sauce
Ingredients for Easy Cranberry Sauce
- fresh cranberries – cleaned and rinsed
- honey
- unsalted butter
- fresh thyme
- lemon juice – fresh is best!
- walnuts or pecans, chopped
- salt
- pepper
How to Make the Walnut Cranberry Sauce
Combine the fresh cranberries, butter, honey, thyme, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and nuts in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil.
Be sure to stir constantly as the mixture thickens. Once it’s thickened, take the pot off the heat and allow it cool for a bit before adding to the Brie.
Tips for Making Baked Brie with Cranberries
- Whole cranberry sauce works the best here. I haven’t tried this recipe with the jellied version.
- You can make the sauce ahead of time. Reheat it a little to take the chill off before adding it to the cheese.
- Be sure to let the sauce cool before you add it to the cheese or the cheese will start to melt.
More Favorite Holiday Appetizer Recipes:
- The BEST Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
- Neiman Marcus Dip (Million Dollar Dip)
- Reindeer Snack Mix ~ Sweet & Spicy Chex Mix Recipe
- Salty Sweet Fall Harvest Snack Mix
Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts
Ingredients
Baked Brie Ingredients
- 9.5 ounce round Brie cheese wheel
- ½ cup prepared whole berry cranberry sauce, or use the ingredients and instructions below to make an easy version
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients (if using)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Directions (if using)
- If making the fresh cranberry sauce, cook the cranberries, honey, butter, thyme, lemon juice, nuts, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan on the stove top.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
- Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before adding to the center of the Brie wheel.
Baked Brie Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- If using prepared cranberry sauce, add the chopped nuts and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper. Place the Brie wheel on the pan.
- Gently push the cookie cutter through the cheese to create a center focal point. If the Brie is thick, carefully slice off the top of the cut out, keeping the shape. Return the cheese back to the center.
- Place tray in the preheated oven for 5-8 mins, until the cheese has softened. Allow cheese to set for 5 minutes before adding the cranberry sauce.
Notes
- Serve as an easy appetizer or pretty addition to a charcuterie board.
- Change the cutout shape to make this dish for other holidays.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
