Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect festive appetizer, I can’t recommend Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe enough. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off, making it my go-to for holiday parties or cozy winter get-togethers. The creamy, warm brie paired with that tart-sweet cranberry sauce? Absolutely irresistible.
What really makes this Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe stand out is how simple yet impactful it is. When guests bite into that gooey, melty cheese topped with a homemade cranberry sauce that has hints of vanilla and orange zest, you’ll see their eyes light up. Trust me, it’s worth making ahead because everything comes together so beautifully. Plus, who doesn’t want a crowd-pleaser that requires almost no fuss?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing the right ingredients is key here to balance creamy, fruity, and nutty flavors. I always recommend using a good quality brie and fresh citrus for zest—it really elevates the cranberry sauce.
- Brie cheese: Go for a firm 8-ounce round that’s cold to help it hold shape before baking.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce: I love using a spiced cranberry sauce to add subtle warmth beyond the fruitiness.
- Brown sugar: Either light or dark brown sugar works, but dark adds a richer molasses flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon adds a lovely sweetness to the cranberry topping.
- Orange zest: Freshly grated from half a medium orange for bright citrus notes—don’t skip this!
- Ground nutmeg: A pinch adds warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Chopped nuts: Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, or pecans — I usually rotate depending on what I have on hand.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional): Adds a fragrant, herbal touch and looks pretty on top.
- Crackers or crostini: For serving, choose something sturdy enough to scoop up that cheesy, saucy goodness.
Variations
I love how versatile this Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe is. Don’t hesitate to switch up the nuts or even the spice mix to make it your own — that’s part of the fun!
- Nut-free version: I once skipped the nuts and replaced them with toasted coconut flakes, which added a lovely crunch and kept it allergy-friendly.
- Spice swap: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or ginger instead of nutmeg for a different warm spice vibe.
- Mini Brie wheels: Making individual mini Bries works well for parties, letting you prep ahead and have a bite-sized option.
- Vegan twist: I experimented with a cashew-based vegan brie and it was surprisingly creamy topped with the cranberry sauce.
How to Make Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Cranberry Topping
Mix together the whole berry cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and ground nutmeg in a small bowl. I find stirring this by hand lets me get a nice sense of texture and to make sure the sugar dissolves well. This blend brings out a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and warm flavors that’ll kiss the baked brie beautifully.
Step 2: Ready the Brie
Keep the brie cold until just before baking so it helps it keep its shape as it warms up. You want to place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup. I like to score the top gently with a knife—not cutting all the way through, but giving it some texture for the toppings to cling to.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the top of the brie. Then sprinkle chopped nuts on top, and tuck in a couple of rosemary sprigs if you’re using them — they add a lovely aroma as it bakes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the brie for about 15 minutes or until it’s soft and melty inside but not oozing all over. Keep an eye on it so the cheese just starts to melt—overbaking can mean your crackers have a tough time scooping up that silky goodness.
How to Serve Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I love to scatter extra chopped nuts and fresh rosemary leaves around the baked brie before serving—it makes it look festive and inviting, plus adds nice texture contrasts. A drizzle of honey over the top right after baking also adds a subtle sweetness that complements the tart cranberries.
Side Dishes
Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like sliced apples or pears, and I love having some lightly salted nuts on the side too. A crisp salad with vinaigrette balances the richness, or you can keep it simple with an assortment of crackers and crostini so folks can build their own bites.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, to make it extra special, I served this brie on a wooden cheese board surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs and a few whole oranges sliced thinly with star-shaped cookie cutters. It made the holiday table so festive and guests loved the touch of whimsy. You can also use mini brie wheels placed in little ramekins with cranberry topping for an elegant individual presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which lucky you!), wrap the cooled baked brie tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. I recommend eating it within 2 days for the best flavor and texture — the cranberry sauce might lose some freshness after that.
Freezing
I haven’t personally frozen baked brie with cranberry topping because the texture of the cheese and sauce tends to change, but you can freeze the cranberry sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I gently warm the brie in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, just until soft again. This keeps the cheese creamy without drying it out. Add a fresh spoonful of cranberry sauce if the original topping looks a little dry before serving again.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen cranberry sauce for Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe?
Yes, you can use thawed frozen cranberry sauce as long as it’s fully defrosted and well mixed. Just taste it first — sometimes freezing can mellow the flavor, so you might want to add a pinch more sugar or vanilla to brighten it up before topping the brie.
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What’s the best way to avoid the brie leaking while baking?
The key is to bake the brie just until it’s soft and melty—usually around 15 minutes at 350°F—and keep an eye on it. Using a cold brie round helps it maintain its shape at the start, and scoring lightly on top lets the heat seep in evenly without causing a mess.
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Can I prepare Santa’s Baked Brie ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the cranberry sauce topping and nuts on the brie up to a day before baking and keep it covered in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before popping it into the oven for best results.
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What crackers work best for serving with this baked brie?
Choose sturdy crackers or crostini that can hold up to the rich melted cheese and juicy cranberry sauce. I like whole grain, water crackers, or lightly toasted baguette slices for the perfect crunch.
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Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
Definitely! Just serve Santa’s Baked Brie with gluten-free crackers or veggie sticks instead of crostini to keep it gluten-free friendly without missing out on taste or texture.
Final Thoughts
Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a special treat but couldn’t be easier to make, and that’s why I keep coming back to it year after year. It’s the perfect way to kick off holiday festivities or surprise your guests with something a little unexpected yet so comforting. I hope you give it a try soon—you’ll love how effortlessly it transforms simple ingredients into a festive crowd-pleaser, just like I do in my kitchen every winter.
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Santa’s Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Santa’s Baked Brie topped with spiced cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, orange zest, nutmeg, and crunchy nuts, all baked to melty perfection. It’s an easy yet elegant appetizer that combines creamy brie with sweet-tart cranberries and aromatic touches, ideal for holiday parties or cozy winter gatherings.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) cold brie cheese round
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)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, divided (optional)
To Serve
- Assorted store-bought or homemade crackers, or crostini
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the brie evenly.
- Prepare Brie: Place the cold brie cheese round on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish, making sure it is centered for even heating.
- Make Topping Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract, grated orange zest, and ground nutmeg. Stir gently until well mixed to create a flavorful, aromatic topping.
- Assemble: Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the top of the brie, covering it completely. Sprinkle the coarsely chopped nuts over the cranberry topping for added texture and flavor. If using rosemary, tuck one sprig alongside the brie for aroma and garnish with the second sprig on top after baking.
- Bake the Brie: Place the assembled brie in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and melty but not fully collapsed.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, add the second rosemary sprig on top if desired, and serve immediately with crackers or crostini for dipping.
Notes
- Use a whole berry cranberry sauce for texture, but a smooth style works if preferred.
- You can substitute the nuts with your favorite variety or omit for nut allergies.
- Serving warm allows the brie to be easily spreadable; if it cools and firms up, gently rewarm before serving.
- Orange zest and vanilla add a wonderful depth but can be adjusted or left out based on taste.
- For a sweeter variation, increase the brown sugar slightly.
Keywords: Baked Brie, Cranberry Sauce, Holiday Appetizer, Cheese Appetizer, Christmas Snack, Party Food
