Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie

Perfect Holiday & Party Appetizer

⏱️ Time

Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 10–12 minutes
Total: 20–25 minutes

🍽️ Servings

Serves 6–8 as an appetizer

🛒 Ingredients (Detailed)

1 round brie cheese (200–225 g / 7–8 oz)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (adjust sweetness)
1 tbsp butter (unsalted preferred)
1 tsp fresh rosemary or thyme, finely chopped (optional)
Pinch of salt (balances sweetness)

For Serving

Crackers, crostini, toasted baguette slices
Optional: apple slices, pear slices, grapes

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat Oven

Preheat to 180°C / 350°F.
Place brie in a small oven-safe baking dish or on parchment-lined tray.

2️⃣ Make the Cranberry Pecan Topping

Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat
Add cranberries, chopped pecans, and honey/maple syrup
Stir and cook 2–3 minutes until glossy, slightly thick, and fragrant
Remove from heat and set aside

3️⃣ Bake the Brie

Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes
Brie should be soft and gooey inside, but still holding its shape
⚠️ Don’t overbake or it will collapse and leak

4️⃣ Top & Garnish

Spoon warm cranberry-pecan mixture over baked brie
Sprinkle with rosemary or thyme
Finish with a tiny pinch of salt

5️⃣ Serve Immediately

Serve warm with crackers or bread while the center is perfectly melty.

🥗 Nutrition Information

(Approximate — per serving, based on 8 servings)

Calories: 210 kcal
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Sugar: 11 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 180 mg

❓ Q & A

Q: Should I remove the rind from the brie?

No. Brie rind is edible and helps the cheese hold its shape while baking.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes!

Make the topping up to 2 days ahead (store refrigerated)
Bake brie just before serving and warm topping separately

Q: Can I bake it wrapped in pastry?

Absolutely. Wrap brie in puff pastry, bake 20–25 minutes, then add topping.

Q: What can I use instead of pecans?

Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts work beautifully.

Q: How do I keep brie from leaking?

Don’t overbake
Use a shallow baking dish
Let it rest 2 minutes before topping

Q: Is this gluten-free?

Yes—just serve with gluten-free crackers or fruit.

🌟 Pro Tips

Add orange zest for extra holiday flavor
A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds gourmet flair
Serve on a wooden board for presentation impact

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.