If you love simple yet impressive appetizers, you’re going to absolutely adore this Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe. I first made this for a holiday gathering, and my family went crazy for it — the warm, melty cheese paired with the tart cranberry sauce and crunchy pistachios creates a flavor explosion that’s both festive and comforting. Plus, it’s seriously easy to throw together, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests. Let me walk you through everything you need to know so your Baked Brie turns out perfect every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: A handful of ingredients and under 15 minutes to make an elegant appetizer.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Creamy Brie, tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy pistachios are a match made in heaven.
- Versatile and Customizable: Perfect for holiday parties, casual get-togethers, or anytime you want a festive snack.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: Easily served with your favorite gluten-free crackers or bread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together beautifully, balancing richness with a pop of bright fruit and texture. When shopping for Brie, I recommend picking a good-quality wheel that’s soft but still holds its shape — this ensures it melts perfectly without getting too runny under the cranberry topping.
- Brie cheese: Look for a creamy wheel with a soft rind, about 8 ounces is just right for sharing.
- Cranberry sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade; both work great and add that lovely tart sweetness.
- Pistachios: Roughly chopped for a crunchy texture contrast — raw or roasted both work, but I lean toward roasted for extra flavor.
- Optional garnishes: Fresh herb sprigs like thyme or rosemary add color and a hint of aroma, and a little orange zest brightens things up.
Variations
I love switching up this Baked Brie recipe depending on the season or occasion. You can easily customize it to suit your taste buds or dietary needs, which makes it one of those recipes I always keep in my arsenal.
- Swapping nuts: Sometimes I use walnuts or pecans instead of pistachios—both add a great crunch and slightly different flavor.
- Fruit alternatives: If you’re not a cranberry fan, a fig jam or apricot preserves work wonderfully as a sweet topping.
- Herb infusions: Adding fresh thyme or rosemary on top before baking gives the recipe a lovely aromatic twist that my guests always comment on.
- Vegan version: There are fantastic cashew-based “Brie” alternatives if you want to keep it dairy-free—just adjust baking time and toppings accordingly.
How to Make Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Brie
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, take your 8-ounce Brie wheel out of the fridge and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a Brie baker dish. Pro tip: If your Brie is a little misshapen, don’t worry—it’ll melt right into perfection.
Step 2: Top with Cranberry Sauce
Spread about half a cup of your cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the Brie. This adds that beautiful tart-sweet layer that complements the richness of the cheese. If your cranberry sauce is chunky, that’s perfect — the texture adds a nice bite.
Step 3: Bake Until Melted and Gooey
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll want to keep an eye on it — the Brie should be soft and melty inside but still holding its shape. Over-baking makes the cheese too runny and a little hard to serve, so check around the 8-minute mark.
Step 4: Add Pistachios and Garnish
Once out of the oven, sprinkle the roughly chopped pistachios over the cranberry topping. I like to add a few fresh herb sprigs, like thyme or rosemary, and sometimes a bit of orange zest. Not only does this add a pop of color, but the citrus really lifts the whole dish.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Brie: Let your Brie sit out for about 20 minutes before baking; this helps it melt evenly and quickly.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye after 8 minutes—the cheese should be soft and melty but not completely oozing everywhere.
- Crunch Balance: Adding pistachios last keeps them nice and crunchy, giving the best texture contrast.
- Serving Tip: Serve immediately with your favorite crackers or sliced baguette for the best experience.
How to Serve Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs and a sprinkle of orange zest because they add that earthy freshness and a pop of color. If you want to get creative, pomegranate seeds are a fun, jewel-like garnish that adds another layer of sweetness and crunch, especially during the holidays.
Side Dishes
This Baked Brie is perfect alongside a crisp green salad or roasted veggies for a balanced appetizer spread. My go-to sides are a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and some honey-glazed roasted carrots—both complement the rich, creamy cheese beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I love serving this baked Brie right in a mini cast-iron skillet or a cute wooden cheese board surrounded by colorful crackers, fresh apple slices, and nuts. It instantly transforms it into a party centerpiece. You can even wrap the Brie in puff pastry for a fancy baked Brie en croûte twist, topped with cranberry sauce and pistachios before baking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which usually go fast!), wrap the Brie tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. It keeps well for up to 2 days, though I strongly recommend enjoying it fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
I wouldn’t recommend freezing baked Brie with cranberry sauce and pistachios, as the texture of the cheese and toppings changes after freezing and thawing. Fresh is definitely best here!
Reheating
To reheat, place the Brie in a warm oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 5 minutes or until just warmed through—you want it melty but not overcooked. If you add the pistachios before reheating, they may lose some crunch, so consider adding them fresh after warming.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen cranberry sauce for this recipe?
Yes! If you have homemade cranberry sauce frozen from a previous batch, thaw it completely before using. The texture might be a bit softer but will still add that bright, tart flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy Brie.
-
What’s the best way to serve this for a party?
I recommend serving the baked Brie warm with an assortment of crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh fruit like apples or grapes. Having little spoons or spreaders nearby helps guests easily scoop up the gooey cheese and toppings.
-
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can assemble the Brie with cranberry sauce and wrap it tightly, then refrigerate for up to a day before baking. Just add the pistachios and garnishes right after baking for the best texture and freshness.
-
Is it okay to use different nuts instead of pistachios?
Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or even almonds work beautifully if you want to switch things up or if you’re accommodating nut preferences.
-
How do I know when the Brie is perfectly baked?
The Brie should be soft to the touch and slightly oozing under the cranberry sauce but still mostly holding its shape. Usually, 8-10 minutes at 350°F is just right—too long and it can get too runny and difficult to serve.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to appetizers for holidays and special occasions because it’s just so quick, delicious, and guaranteed to impress. The combination of creamy cheese, tart fruit, and crunchy nuts is just irresistible. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to wow your friends and family, give this recipe a try — I promise it’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe collection, just like it is in mine!
Print
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This delicious Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce recipe features a creamy round of Brie cheese topped with sweet-tart cranberry sauce and crunchy pistachios. Baked to melty perfection, it’s an elegant and simple appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. Garnished with fresh herbs and orange zest, this warm, gooey cheese dish pairs beautifully with gluten-free crackers or your favorite bread.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 8 ounce round Brie cheese
Toppings
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped pistachios
- Optional garnish: fresh herb sprigs and orange zest
Instructions
- Prep the Brie. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the Brie on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a Brie baker to prepare for baking.
- Top and bake. Spread the cranberry sauce over the top of the Brie. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is soft, melty, and slightly warmed through.
- Serve. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the roughly chopped pistachios on top. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs and orange zest if desired. Serve warm with crackers or bread of choice.
Notes
- This appetizer serves approximately 6 people.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with garlic rosemary gluten-free crackers.
- To enhance flavors, allow the Brie to come to room temperature before baking.
- Fresh herb sprigs and orange zest garnish add a bright, festive touch but can be omitted if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
