Irresistible Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts Recipe

Melted brie with cranberries and walnuts creates a stunning appetizer that surprises everyone at the table.

Soft cheese meets crisp nuts in a delightful harmony of flavors.

Warm and gooey textures mingle with tart cranberries for an irresistible combination.

Rustic yet elegant, this dish feels like a cozy culinary hug.

Guests will marvel at how simple ingredients can become something so spectacular.

Cheese lovers should definitely bookmark this recipe for their next gathering.

You can impress everyone with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Reasons to Love Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• Elevate Party Appetizer: Transform an ordinary gathering into a gourmet experience with this sophisticated yet simple cheese dish that impresses guests instantly.
• Master Delightful Technique: Learn an elegant cooking method that combines different textures like creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and flaky pastry, creating a sensational flavor profile.
• Customize with Creativity: Swap ingredients easily by experimenting with different nuts, dried fruits, or herbs to match personal taste preferences and make the recipe uniquely yours.
• Wow-Worthy Presentation: Create a stunning centerpiece that looks professionally prepared, perfect for holiday events, dinner parties, or special celebrations with minimal culinary expertise.

Inside Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• Brie Cheese: A soft, creamy French cheese that creates a rich and luxurious base for this appetizer.
• Puff Pastry: A delicate, flaky pastry that provides a golden, crispy exterior to the baked Brie.

• Cranberries, Walnuts: Dried cranberries add a sweet-tart burst of flavor, while walnuts contribute a crunchy texture and nutty taste.

• Egg, Water: A simple egg wash that helps create a beautiful golden-brown sheen on the pastry surface.
• Flour: Used for rolling out the puff pastry to prevent sticking and ensure smooth handling.

How to Make Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 425°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Slice Open the Cheese

Take your creamy wheel of Brie and carefully slice it horizontally, creating two delicate halves that open like a book.

Step 3: Add Delicious Filling

Spread out your Brie halves with the inside facing up.

• Vibrant red cranberries
• Crunchy chopped walnuts

Gently press the toppings into the soft cheese.

Step 4: Seal the Flavor Treasure

Close the Brie, making sure the cranberries sit nestled on top of the walnuts.

Press the edges to create a perfect seal.

Step 5: Wrap in Buttery Pastry

On a floured surface, roll out your puff pastry until it’s thin and delicate.

Place the stuffed Brie right in the center of this golden canvas.

Step 6: Create a Pastry Parcel

Pull up the edges of the pastry, wrapping the Brie completely.

Trim any extra pastry hanging around, keeping things neat and tidy.

Step 7: Add the Golden Touch

Whisk an egg with a splash of water.

Brush this magical mixture all over the pastry to ensure a beautiful golden shine. Get creative and add some decorative pastry cutouts on top if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 8: Chill and Set

Pop your pastry-wrapped masterpiece into the freezer for an hour. This helps it keep its beautiful shape and makes the pastry extra flaky.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide your creation into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry turns a gorgeous golden brown and the Brie starts to ooze deliciously.

Easy Tips for Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• Freeze the wrapped Brie for at least an hour to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy and maintain its crisp, flaky texture during baking.
• Choose a high-quality, soft Brie cheese with a creamy consistency for the best melting result and rich flavor profile.
• Swap cranberries with other dried fruits like cherries or apricots for a personalized twist that complements the nutty walnuts.
• Ensure the puff pastry is rolled thin and evenly to achieve a delicate, golden-brown crust that perfectly encases the melted cheese.
• Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the gooey, warm cheese and crisp pastry while the flavors are at their peak.

Creative Takes on Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• Honey Herb Infusion: Replace cranberries with fresh thyme and drizzle local honey inside the Brie before wrapping, creating a savory-sweet flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap walnuts for chopped sun-dried tomatoes and add fresh basil leaves, incorporating olive oil and cracked black pepper for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Pepper Kick: Mix dried cranberries with diced jalapeños and chopped pecans, adding a warm pepper heat to the classic baked Brie recipe.
• Apple Cinnamon Fusion: Replace cranberries with thin apple slices and sprinkle ground cinnamon, then top with chopped almonds for a warm, autumnal variation.

Baked Brie Pairings That Shine

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the creamy brie and cut through its richness with bright, citrusy notes.
• Serve with Spiced Honey Drizzle: Warm honey infused with cinnamon or rosemary adds a luxurious sweet-savory touch that enhances the cranberry and walnut flavors.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Toasted sourdough or rustic baguette slices provide a crunchy texture contrast and help scoop up the melted, gooey cheese.
• Complement with Light Salad: A fresh arugula salad with apple slices and light vinaigrette balances the richness of the baked brie and adds a refreshing element to the dish.

How to Store Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• Refrigerate: Store wrapped Brie in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap the baked Brie in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat Oven Method: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Unwrap and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until cheese is warm and pastry becomes crispy again.
• Microwave Caution: Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy and unevenly heat the cheese. Stick to oven reheating for best results.

FAQs for Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts

• What cheese works best for this recipe?

Brie with a soft, creamy texture is ideal. Choose a wheel around 8 ounces that’s ripe but still holds its shape when baked.

• Can I substitute the walnuts?

Yes, pecans or almonds are excellent alternatives. They provide similar crunch and nutty flavor to complement the cheese.

• Is it necessary to freeze the pastry-wrapped Brie?

Freezing helps maintain the pastry’s structure and prevents it from becoming soggy. It ensures crisp, flaky layers during baking.

• How do I know when the Brie is perfectly baked?

Look for golden-brown pastry and slight cheese leakage. When the exterior is crisp and the cheese starts to ooze, it’s ready to serve.

Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Baked Brie with Cranberries and Walnuts brings festive elegance to holiday gatherings with its melty cheese and festive toppings. Guests will savor each rich, warm bite of this simple yet sophisticated appetizer that pairs perfectly with crisp crackers or crusty bread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese:

• 1 round (8-10 ounces / 226-283 grams) brie cheese

Nuts and Dried Fruit:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) dried cranberries

Pastry and Egg Wash:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at a high temperature of 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking surface.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully create a horizontal cut around the Brie’s circumference, gently separating it into two equal halves.
3. Position the Brie halves with the inner sides facing upward, creating a flat canvas for the filling.
4. Distribute cranberries across one half of the cheese and strategically place walnuts on the other half, pressing them gently into the surface.
5. Reunite the Brie halves, ensuring the cranberries rest atop the walnuts, and apply firm pressure to seal the contents.
6. On a flour-dusted workspace, delicately roll the puff pastry to a thin, even consistency approximately 1/8-inch thick.
7. Center the prepared Brie on the pastry and artfully encase the cheese by lifting and folding the pastry edges, trimming any excessive overhang.
8. Create an egg wash by combining egg and water, then meticulously brush the pastry surface for a glossy finish and apply decorative pastry accents.
9. Refrigerate the wrapped Brie for one hour to solidify its shape and enhance structural integrity.
10. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry achieves a golden-brown hue and the cheese begins to ooze slightly.

Notes

• Chill the Brie before scoring to make cutting smoother and prevent crumbling.
• Use dried cranberries if fresh ones aren’t available for a more concentrated sweet-tart flavor.
• Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for different nutty undertones and texture variations.
• Ensure pastry edges are sealed tightly to prevent cheese leakage during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 40mg