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Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie, the holiday appetizer. It’s quick, easy, and most importantly…incredibly delicious. Store-bought puff pastry wrapped around creamy brie cheese with homemade cranberry sauce and toasted pecans. Then baked until the pastry is golden and the brie warm and melty. A truly mouth-watering appetizer that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. It’s festive, easy to prepare, and always a crowd favorite.
I can remember so many holiday parties spent at my Nonnie’s house when she served this brie. This was her go-to appetizer. She perfected the Brie appetizer. And let’s be honest, she really perfected the holiday party.
My Nonnie had a way of making every party she held, whether big or small, feel so special. She paid attention to detail and was always the perfect host. She was welcoming, social, and she did her parties up in her own style too.
She could give us all a lot of tips when it comes to throwing a holiday party that people really want to attend. I know that at the top of her list would be two things, keep the wine flowing, and always, always have good appetizers.
She had an assortment of easy appetizers she’d turn to for her parties. But cranberry baked brie was a holiday staple. On Christmas day she’d serve this before dinner and it was always the first dish to go.
I don’t have her exact recipe, so this recipe is more from memory, but it’s totally delicious. She’d very much approve.
If you happen to have cranberry sauce in the fridge, you can skip this very first step. Otherwise, start with the cranberries!
I made a quick sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup. Nonnie definitely used brown sugar, but maple feels little less sweet to me. I added a splash of vanilla and a tiny pinch of cinnamon for a sweet/savory combination.
Nonnie knew that appetizers needed to be simple, so store-bought puff pastry was a must.
Unwrap the brie, then sit it on top of the pastry. Top the brie with the cranberry sauce, and then a handful of toasted pecans. Then wrap the brie up.
Last step, brush the pastry with a beaten egg and add a sprinkle of course sugar. This step isn’t needed, but it makes the pastry really sparkle. It’s fun for the holidays and adds a nice deliciousness too.
Throw the brie in the oven, and done.
Quick, easy, and perfect!
When the brie comes out of the oven, serve it immediately with your favorite crackers or toasted bread. It’s hard to describe just how good this really is. But if you love cranberries, and you love brie, you must make this. It’s classic, but turned up a notch, and it really is roll-your-eyes-back GOOD.
Promise, this will be the favorite appetizer of the night!
Looking for other easy brie recipes?? Here are my favorites:
5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Mini Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
Lastly, if you make this Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Would it be possibly to make this same version in a 24 cup muffin pan, to make them bite size? Seems like it, but should sprinkle the sugar on top of the pastry and then load them up?
Thank you!
Hey Jasmine,
Sure, I don’t see why not! You might also like this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cranberry-brie-pastry-tarts/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crispy-prosciutto-baked-brie-bites-with-honey-pears-walnuts/
I hope this helps! Happy Thanksgiving!! xx
Can you use Camembert instead of brie? thanks.
Hey Beth,
Totally, that will work well for you! I hope you love the recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
What kind of crackers do you suggest using
Hi Paige,
Any of your favorite crackers will work well here, I like to use Raincoast Crisps. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Would you recommend cutting the top off of the Brie?
From the recipe instructions “Lay the puff pastry flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the brie in the center of the pastry and remove a little of the rind from the top of the brie. I leave the rind on the bottom and sides intact.”
Hi Marissa,
Yes, you can remove the rind from the top of the brie:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Thank you so much for this recipe! My family always makes incredible cranberry sauce for thanksgiving, and I was thinking this would be a great way to use leftover sauce. Given this, do you have an idea of about how many cups of already made cranberry sauce this uses? Thank you!!
Hey Grace,
This really doesn’t require much cranberry sauce. I would say about 1 cup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I’m making this for Thanksgiving, how far in advance can I make the cranberry?
Hey Beth,
You can make the cranberry sauce today, that will be just fine for you to do! I hope you love the recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
My store did not have a full wheel of brie, only pie-shaped wedges. Will this work, or will the brie melt too much without the full rind to hold it together?
Hey Peggy,
Those will work just fine for you:) I hope you love this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Thank you! I made the cranberry sauce yesterday and it is the BEST cranberry sauce I’ve ever tasted. I’m making a second batch to go with our turkey dinner. Can’t wait to taste it with the brie and puff pastry!
Hey Peggy,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽
Hi there,
Should I toast the pecans before using them? Or do they toast in the puff pastry?
Thanks
Hey Hannah,
No need to toast the pecans:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I’ve read the reviews and understand how to best prep ahead… However, I am going to a family member’s home for Thanksgiving and it’s about 30 minutes away. Their oven will be busy so I would need to bake this and store it somehow for transport. I fear this will lead to soggy puff pastry. I absolutely love baked brie but am the only person in my home who feels this way and so I’d like to take it to a larger crowd… but if there is no way to do so without compromising the pastry, perhaps it’s best I skip this idea. Thoughts?
Hey Melissa,
Unfortunately, I think this is best served right out of the oven, the results won’t be great baking and then driving 30 minutes with it. So sorry! xx
Hello! I’m hoping to make this for Thanksgiving. How would you use the cranberry sauce if it’s already made??? Like, store bought. Could I add craisins instead of cranberries then for the added texture? Trying to reduce the prep time given all my energy will be in the puff pastry. Fingers crossed my GF puff pastry recipe turns out OK!
Hey Jennifer,
Sure, that would work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Can you make the cranberry sauce 5 days ahead?
Hi there,
Yes, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
awesome! can’t wait to make today. thanks
Going to try this for Friendsgiving! What are the brand and type of crackers you have served with the Brie? Looks so delicious!
Thanks Kendal! They are raincoats crisps, I usually find them at Whole Foods. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Do you think this can be made and frozen?
Hey Kara,
Sure, I would just freeze before baking. I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This appetizer looks amazing! I have pre made pie crusts….can that be used instead of puff pastry? Going to make this for Thanksgiving.
Thanks so much Junia!! I would stick with puff pastry for this recipe:) Please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Do you think I could prep this a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving, store in the fridge, and bake on Thanksgiving Day?
Hey Keena,
Totally, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Do you think another cheese could be used? My family is not a fan of Brie
Hey Deb,
Your family might like this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/baked-gruyere-in-pastry/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT