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
Scale
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