Creamy Baked Brie: 5-Minute Best Holiday Appetizer
A simple, warm, and gooey baked brie topped with sweet tart cranberry sauce, crunchy walnuts, and fresh thyme. This crowd-pleasing appetizer is perfect for holidays and requires minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese (8–10 oz), soft and ripe
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Butter (for lining the dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a small baking dish (6-inch round or similar) with parchment paper and lightly grease with butter.
- Place the brie wheel in the center of the prepared dish, ensuring it sits flat.
- Spoon the cranberry sauce over the top of the brie, spreading it evenly but leaving a small border around the edge.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the cranberry sauce, pressing them down gently to adhere.
- Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top and drizzle honey in a zigzag pattern.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft to the touch and the topping is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly.
- Serve warm with sturdy crackers, baguette slices, or apple slices.
Notes
Ensure the brie is at room temperature before baking for even melting. Do not peel the rind as it holds the cheese together. If the nuts burn, cover loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes. For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes to the cranberry sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the wheel
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: baked brie, holiday appetizer, cranberry walnut brie, easy cheese recipe, party food, winter appetizer, gluten-free option