Learn how to make our simple and delicious appetizer with this Citrus Cranberry Baked Brie dish. This easy-to-prepare appetizer will impress your guests at any gathering in your home!
This appetizer is perfect for those special occasions, but it can also be served anytime of year. The combination of citrus and cranberries adds just the right amount of flavor that makes this dish stand out from other baked brie recipes out there. Serve this dish with crackers or crostini bread before dinner - your guests will love it!
Why Serve Brie?
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese that is perfect for appetizers and spreads. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with many different fruits and jams. Brie also melts well and can be enjoyed warm or cold. People love to eat brie because it is a luxurious cheese that is both flavorful and decadent. A baked brie is also perfect for those who are intimidated with cooking - it is a simple dish that anyone can prepare.
This recipe contains:
Brie Round
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Cranberries
Maple Syrup
Orange Zest
These ingredients can easily be found in the grocery store, if fresh cranberries are out of season, you can easily switch it out with dried cranberries. Before creating this recipe, I had never tasted fresh cranberries before. I was surprised by it's tartness! But when they are mixed in with the maple syrup it takes away from tartness of the cranberries and tastes oh so good. It's a perfect pair!
How to Bake Brie
I like to bake brie in a special brie baker. A brie baker is a ceramic dish that is specifically designed for baking brie. If you don't have one, you can also use a small oven-safe dish.
The key to baking a brie is to make sure that it doesn't overcook. You want the cheese to be soft and creamy, so I would start by cooking it for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your brie while it's cooking and take it out when it reaches the desired consistency.
To Bake or Not to Bake the Cranberries
I prefer the tartness and crunch of the fresh cranberries. So I opt out of baking it along with the brie. You can also use dried cranberries, if you don't want to bake them or can't find fresh ones anywhere.
If you choose to bake the cranberries, I would add them in with the brie during the last five minutes of cooking. This will give them a chance to heat up and soften a bit.
Brie Alternatives
So to those that choose not to eat any animal products and would prefer vegan options, we got you covered!
Vegan alternatives would include making brie that uses cashews, tapioca starch or nutritional yeast. These ingredients can easily be found in the bulk section of health food stores or grocery stores.
Just keep in mind that, whereas the Citrus Cranberry Brie recipe instructs you to bake the brie before serving, with the vegan version, it isn't baked but served cold or at room temperature.
When following this recipe with the vegan alternative, all you have to do is make your vegan cheese, and then top it with cranberry and orange mixture, and serve immediately.
How to Serve Brie Cheese
We recommend serving brie warm. You can heat it in the oven or on stove top before you serve it to your guests. Warm cheese will melt and ooze out of its rind which makes for a decadent appetizer!
Our favourite choice are the PC Black Label Artisan Crips, they come in so many different flavours and are just a perfect pair with brie cheese - so much better than plain crackers! Other options to serve brie with are:
- Crostini bread
- Pita chips: Another great option if you're looking for something a little different than crostini bread.
- Torn pieces of crusty bread
Along with your bread and crackers, you will need a spoon to scoop up the brie along with the delicious fresh cranberries. As well as a knife to spread the cheese on your bread or crackers.
How to Store Brie
Store brie in the refrigerator. It will last for several days if it is covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If there are leftovers, it's easy to reheat and finish for later. Since the brie has most likely been cut open, I would reheat it in the oven in an enclosed container rather than an open plate, you don't want the brie to ooze out everywhere in your oven!
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to feed your family or friends this holiday season, we've got the perfect appetizer that is sure to please everyone. With less than 10 minutes of prep time, our Citrus Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe will make your guests feel like they are at an upscale restaurant without all the fuss. Now go ahead and bake up some deliciousness with us!
Citrus Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe
Ingredients:
8 ounces brie cheese round
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 cup fresh cranberries, sliced in half
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Place brie round on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place in oven, and bake 15-20 minutes, or until brie is soft
- Remove from oven, and carefully transfer to a serving plate or cutting board
- Pour the maple syrup over the top of the cheese.
- Arrange cranberries on top and sprinkle with thyme and orange zest.
- Serve immediately with crackers, torn bread, pita chips or crostini bread.
Photography by: Saleme Fayad Photography