Description
This Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl is a delightful and elegant appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in. A wheel of creamy Brie is nestled inside a hollowed-out rustic round loaf, topped with a sweet and tangy mixture of fresh or dried cranberries, chopped nuts, honey, and cinnamon, then baked until bubbly and warm. Garnished with fresh herbs and served with toasted bread pieces or crackers, it offers a perfect blend of melty cheese, crunchy nuts, and vibrant fruit flavors all in one impressive presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Bowl
- 1 round bread boule (sourdough or any round loaf)
Cheese
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese
Topping
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the bread bowl evenly and melting the Brie thoroughly.
- Prepare the Bread Bowl: Carefully cut the top off the round bread boule and hollow out the center, leaving about a 1-inch thick shell to hold the cheese and toppings. Reserve the hollowed-out bread pieces to serve later for dipping.
- Prepare the Brie: Remove the top rind of the Brie cheese wheel to expose the soft cheese inside. Place the Brie in the hollowed-out bread bowl so it fits snugly.
- Add Toppings: In a small bowl, combine the cranberries, chopped nuts, honey or maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. Mix gently and then spoon this cranberry mixture evenly over the Brie in the bread bowl.
- Bake: Place the filled bread bowl on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the Brie melts completely, becomes bubbly, and the bread exterior is toasted to a golden brown.
- Serve: Once baked, garnish the bread bowl with fresh rosemary or thyme if desired. Serve immediately with the reserved bread pieces, crackers, or sliced apples for dipping to enjoy the melty, flavorful cheese blend.
Notes
- You can use either fresh or dried cranberries depending on availability and preference.
- Walnuts or pecans both work well; feel free to choose based on your taste or what you have on hand.
- Removing the top rind of the Brie helps the toppings meld better with the cheese as it melts.
- If you prefer a crisper bread crust, place the bread bowl on a wire rack set over the baking sheet.
- Serve promptly after baking to enjoy the Brie at its meltiest and warmest.
