This irresistible baked brie is topped with herbed cranberry sauce and wrapped in flaky puffed pastry. The perfect, warm appetizer for a cold winter day.
Cranberry Baked Brie en Croute is the kind of dish that makes you want to call up your friends, open a good bottle of wine, and enjoy the simple pleasures of great food. This recipe is about transforming a humble wheel of brie into a showstopper appetizer that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Here, buttery puff pastry wraps itself around a rich, gooey brie, with a dollop of tart cranberry sauce adding a splash of color and a burst of flavor. It’s a lovely blend of textures and tastes that screams indulgence. 
This dish doesn’t demand a special occasion (or honestly, even a cold winter day). It’s perfect for those laid-back evenings or impromptu get-togethers. It’s all about enjoying the good things in life without the need for over-the-top preparations. Just roll out the pastry, pile on the cheese and cranberries, and let the oven do the magic.
Serve it warm, see the pastry puff up like a proud peacock, and watch the brie melt into a river of creamy goodness. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense recipe, but the result? Pure, unadulterated culinary joy.
Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way.
What You Need to Know
– First, remember that puff pasty puffs best when it is COLD and the oven is HOT.
-Carefully cut the rind off the top of your Brie. This will be the top side when you bake.
-Roll and cut out a round of puff pastry which is big enough to totally encase the cheese. Add the topping to the center of the puff pastry. Place the Brie, cut side down, over the the topping.
-Fold the pastry over the cheese, making sure it’s all covered (you can patch with scraps if needed). Use an egg wash to seal the creases.
-Once sealed, flip back over and brush with egg wash.
-If desired, cut out decorative shapes with leftover puff pasty. “Glue” them on the top with egg wash, then brush with egg wash.
-I chill the uncooked wrapped Brie for about 20 minutes, so the puff pastry is cold. Then bake in a hot oven.
-Wait at least 20 minutes before cutting into the Brie so the cheese can firm up slightly. Bon apetit!
Step by Step Guide to Making Baked Cranberry Brie en Croute
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to smooth out the seams. Cut a large round shape from the pastry and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Save any pastry scraps for decoration.
-
Prepare Brie: Slice off the top rind of the Brie round.
-
Mix Cranberry Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, and minced rosemary.
-
Assemble: Spoon the cranberry mixture over the center of the puff pastry. Place the Brie, cut side down, on top of the cranberry sauce. Fold the puff pastry over the Brie, sealing it with the egg wash. Flip the wrapped Brie over and place it seam side down on the baking sheet.
-
Chill: Refrigerate the prepared Brie for about 30 minutes.
-
Decorate and Bake: Brush the Brie with the egg mixture. Use the reserved pastry scraps to create decorative shapes (like leaves and berries) and adhere them to the Brie with the egg wash. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
-
Cool and Serve: Allow the baked Brie to cool for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crackers or toast.
Baked Cranberry Brie en Croute
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 0 about 8 servings 1x
Description
This irresistible baked brie is topped with herbed cranberry sauce and wrapped in flaky puffed pastry. The perfect, warm appetizer for a cold winter day.
Ingredients
- 1 round (12.3 oz) of Brie cheese
- 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed (preferably with butter, such as Dufour brand)
- 3/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to smooth out the seams. Cut a large round shape from the pastry and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Save any pastry scraps for decoration.
- Prepare Brie: Slice off the top rind of the Brie round.
- Mix Cranberry Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, and minced rosemary.
- Assemble: Spoon the cranberry mixture over the center of the puff pastry. Place the Brie, cut side down, on top of the cranberry sauce. Fold the puff pastry over the Brie, sealing it with the egg wash. Flip the wrapped Brie over and place it seam side down on the baking sheet.
- Chill: Refrigerate the prepared Brie for about 30 minutes.
- Decorate and Bake: Brush the Brie with the egg mixture. Use the reserved pastry scraps to create decorative shapes (like leaves and berries) and adhere them to the Brie with the egg wash. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked Brie to cool for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crackers or toast.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cool when working with it.
- The cranberry sauce can be homemade or store-bought; adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- Brie can be served warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven Baking
- Cuisine: French American
I love pastry and cheese
Can I put the dough over the Brie, and not cook until the next day!