Description
This Cranberry Baked Brie recipe combines creamy melted brie cheese with tart cranberry sauce and fresh thyme, all baked inside a crusty bread boule. It’s a warm, inviting appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy parties, offering an enticing blend of savory, sweet, and herbal flavors served right from the bread bowl.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 bread boule (round loaf)
- Cooking spray
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel brie cheese
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Prepare Bread and Brie: Slice off the top quarter of the bread boule. Carefully slice off the rind from the brie wheel. Place the brie on the bread to trace its outline and scoop out the inner bread to create a cavity for the cheese. Reserve the scooped-out bread for another use or toast it for additional servings.
- Assemble Bread and Cheese: Place the hollowed bread boule on the prepared baking sheet. Insert the brie wheel into the hollowed bread cavity. Spray the exterior of the bread with cooking spray. Then, make cuts around the edges of the bread about 1-2 inches apart, taking care not to cut all the way through; this creates removable slices for serving once baked.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Spread cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the brie, then sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over it. Place the assembled bread on the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melty inside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately for the best experience of warm, gooey brie paired with sweet cranberry sauce and crispy bread slices.
Notes
- You can substitute cranberry sauce with other fruit preserves like fig or apricot for a different flavor profile.
- Fresh thyme can be replaced with rosemary or sage for herbal variation.
- The reserved bread pieces can be toasted and served alongside as extra dipping pieces.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free bread boule.
- Ensure the brie is at room temperature for easier cutting and better melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
