Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This festive Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is a delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy, warm brie is topped with a luscious spiced cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange zest, nutmeg, and crunchy chopped nuts, then baked until melty and aromatic. Served with crackers or crostini, it’s a crowd-pleasing starter that balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (as appetizer) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) cold brie cheese round
Cranberry Topping
- 1/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (such as Spiced Cranberry Sauce)
- 2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (from 1/2 medium orange)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
Garnish
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, divided (optional)
For Serving
- Assorted store-bought or homemade crackers, or crostini
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the brie.
- Prepare the Cranberry Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and ground nutmeg. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are incorporated.
- Prepare the Brie: Place the cold brie cheese round on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish. If desired, tuck one sprig of fresh rosemary under the brie for added aroma.
- Top the Brie: Spoon the cranberry sauce mixture evenly over the top of the brie. Sprinkle the coarsely chopped nuts over the sauce for texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the brie in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and melty but not fully collapsed.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with the remaining rosemary sprig for a festive touch. Serve warm with assorted crackers or crostini.
Notes
- Use whole berry cranberry sauce for best texture and burst of flavor.
- Chopping nuts coarsely adds a nice crunchy contrast but finely chopped works as well.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the gooey texture of the melted brie.
- Substitute different nuts or herbs based on preference or availability.
- Can be prepared slightly ahead by assembling but bake just before serving.
Keywords: Baked Brie, Cranberry Sauce Appetizer, Holiday Appetizer, Christmas Snack, Festive Cheese