Easy Baked Brie with Nuts and Cranberries

Looking for a quick appetizer that's easy to make? This Baked Brie is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. It doesn't use puff pastry sheets and it has a creamy texture with an irresistible flavor that will have your guests begging for more.

Best of all, it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare!

There are so many variations of this delicious winter dish, but I've always been partial to one that includes a warm wheel of creamy cheese topped with sweet and crunchy nuts and tart, dried cranberries.

Brie cheese is a must-have item on a holiday charcuterie board and is great for parties. I'm always asked to make this oven-baked brie recipe, my guava and cheese dip, and no holiday table is complete without dill cream cheese schmear.

📃 Why it Works

• Baked brie cheese is one of the easiest appetizers for the holiday season. It's simple, tastes great, and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish! 
• With just a few ingredients, this recipe will be sure to please any crowd.
• This oven-roasted French brie cheese recipe is gluten-free.
• It's a decadent, gooey appetizer that will leave your guests begging for more!
• The best part is that you don't need any fancy ingredients or cooking skills. 
• You can pair with crackers for an easy appetizer or serve as dessert!

🛒 Ingredients and Notes

• One round of brie - the topping is enough for an 8-ounce wheel of brie. You can also use a wedge, but the rind on a whole wheel holds everything nicely together. For a large gathering, get a giant wheel (found at Trader Joe's, Sam's Club, or Costco) and make sure to double the topping ingredients. Camembert cheese is a good substitution for brie.
• Nuts - you can use just walnuts or pecans. We used what we had on hand: walnuts, pecans, and pistachios. Almonds, cashews, and macadamia nuts are suitable as well. 
• Dried cranberries - you can use different dried fruit like cherries, raisins, or apricots.
• Amaretto - this sweet Italian liqueur adds almond-like flavor to the topping. Substitute with dark rum or fruit brandy of your choice.
• Brown sugar - will be infusing it with Amaretto, but you could use maple syrup, honey, or agave instead of sugar. In that case, omit the alcohol and add a pinch or two of ground cinnamon or orange zest. 
• Fresh rosemary - optional.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1 - Make Nuts & Cranberries Topping

1. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, nuts, cranberries, and Amaretto.
2. For more intense flavor, refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.

Step 2 - Assamble & Bake

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven doesn't heat up to 500 F, bake on 400 F for 10-12 minutes.
2. Remove the brie from the packaging and place it in a small cast-iron skillet or a pie plate lined with parchment paper. You can lightly score the top rind into wedges (star shape) or diamonds if you wish.
3. Top the brie with the nut mixture and bake for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is slightly softened and the sugar is melted.

• For a more intense brandy flavor, it is best to refrigerate the topping for at least two hours or overnight.
• If your dried fruit is too dry, add them to a bowl of boiling-hot water until they plump up, drain, and pat them dry.
• Line your baking dish with a piece of parchment paper coming up to the sides for easy removal to a serving platter. This step is not necessary if you'll be serving it in the same dish. 
• It's a good idea to place the dish holding the brie on top of a sheet pan or baking sheet. It will catch any falling nuts or oozing cheese and help to remove it from the oven.
• Serve with crackers, toasted French baguette slices, or sliced apples and pears. Brush the fruit wedges with lemon juice to stop from browning.
• Refrigerate the leftovers in an air-tight container for up to three days.
• To reheat the baked brie, place it in a microwave-safe dish and warm it for 20-30 seconds at a time. You can also put it in a 300 F warm oven for a few minutes.

🍽 How To Serve It

Garnish this buttery brie with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve warm beside crusty French bread or crackers.

Apple and pear slices are a good match, too, if you're on a gluten-free or low-carb diet! Note: drizzle the fruit slices slightly with lemon juice to prevent from browning.

Other options are:

• fruit: melon, strawberries, cherries, and grapes
• veggies: baby carrots, celery, pepper slices
• pretzels
• pita chips
• crostini

What to Pair with Baked Brie Cheese?

Pair this buttery and creamy appetizer with:

• Wine: sparkling white wines, sweet wine like Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Port but also Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
• Beer: cherry lager, and apple or pear cider.
• Condiments: fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, garlic, homemade cranberry sauce and chutneys.

A perfect starter, whether you're entertaining a small company or having a big holiday party.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

If you're looking for a simple yet elegant appetizer, this recipe might be your new favorite! Give it a try - I think you'll love it!

It's perfect for those times when you want something quick and simple to serve at a party, Thanksgiving, and Christmas table, or just because you're feeling like having some of this decadent cheese on baguette slices.

Nuts and dried fruits can be a delicious, nutritious choice as snacks in-between regular mealtimes or even when on the go, but why not use leftovers in these yummy recipes:

• Fruit and Nuts Monkey Breakfast Bowl
• Danish Yeast Buns with Nuts and Cranberries
• Cranberry Orange Cream Tart
• Baklava Ice Cream in Fillo Cups

Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!

Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in December 2017 and updated in August of 2021 with new photos and recipe tips.