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Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce – Easy Friendsgiving Appetizer

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A quick and easy baked brie topped with a homemade cranberry compote, perfect for Friendsgiving or any gathering. This crowd-pleasing appetizer is ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8-ounce) wheel of brie cheese
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish
  • Crackers, baguette slices, or apple slices for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, take the brie out of the fridge to come slightly to room temperature—about 15 minutes.
  2. Make the cranberry compote: In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, honey, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir together. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
  3. Prep the brie: Place the brie on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully score the top rind in a crosshatch pattern—just cut through the rind, not all the way through the cheese.
  4. Assemble: Place the scored brie in a small baking dish. Spoon about half of the cranberry compote over the top, letting it cascade down the sides. Reserve the rest for serving. If using nuts, sprinkle them over the compote now.
  5. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the brie is soft and puffy with a slight jiggle in the center.
  6. Rest and serve: Let the baked brie sit for 2-3 minutes before serving. Transfer the dish to a serving board, spoon the remaining compote around the brie, and garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs.
  7. Serve immediately with crackers, baguette slices, or apple slices.

Notes

Don’t skip scoring the brie—it helps it melt evenly. Watch the cranberries carefully to avoid burning. Let the brie sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking for even melting. The compote can be made up to 3 days ahead. For best texture, bake the brie just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked brie, cranberry compote, Friendsgiving, appetizer, easy, holiday, cheese

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/baked-brie-with-cranberry-sauce-easy-friendsgiving-appetizer/