Easy Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios
Make this 3-ingredient EASY BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE AND PISTACHIOS recipe in just 15 minutes. A warm, gooey, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer that’s perfect for parties, cheese boards, and last-minute entertaining.
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I was recently shopping in Trader Joe’s, and that day they were offering samples of their fresh cranberry sauce. Don’t you love it when they do that? They were serving the cranberry sauce with a small piece of Brie on a cracker.
When I tasted the sweet and savory combination, I added the ingredients to my cart and knew immediately that I’d bake the Brie so it would be warm, gooey and spreadable. After the brie was baked, I would add the cranberry sauce and sprinkle it with chopped nuts for some crunch, creating this Easy Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios recipe. It turned out to be a deliciously festive 3-ingredient appetizer, perfect for serving at any holiday gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy Christmas dinner or need to add one more quick bite to a Friendsgiving spread, this simple baked Brie recipe brings the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy. Serve it with some yummy crackers and watch it disappear.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Brie Recipe
- With just 3 ingredients and little prep, it is truly the easiest Brie appetizer.
- The appetizer is ready in about 15 minutes, so it’s perfect if you need something last-minute.
- It uses store-bought cranberry sauce, or you can make your own homemade cranberry sauce if that’s your thing.
- Looks stunning on a cheese board or a festive holiday table.
- It’s a great way to use any leftover cranberry sauce from your holiday meal.
Key Ingredients
Double Cream Brie Cheese
The double cream Brie melts beautifully when baked, has a gooey center, and the rind holds everything together. It comes out soft and spreadable.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is sweet and tart, making it the perfect topping for the Brie. I love the fresh store-bought cranberry sauce from Trader Joe’s.
Chopped Pistachios
Adds crunch and a pop of color, but if you don’t have pistachios, any nuts such as pecans or walnuts will do!
How To Make Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Equipment:
- Baking dish like a Brie baker ( love this 14 or 24 oz cocotte)
- Knife
- Serving platter
- Spoon
- Spreader knife
Ingredients:
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese (I used the double cream Brie from Trader Joe’s)
- 1 container Cranberry sauce (I used about ½ cup from the container)
- Pistachios, chopped (about 1/4 – 1/3 cup)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Place your wheel of Brie in a small baking dish and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the brie is soft and the rind starts to bulge. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish.
- Spoon cranberry sauce over the top of the brie.
- Sprinkle with pistachios.
- Serve immediately with your favorite crackers. Add a few apple slices for dipping too!
Honestly, that’s all it takes!
Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Brie
Leave the rind on. It keeps the brie intact and allows it to melt beautifully underneath.
Score the top. This will help the cranberry melt into the brie.
Serve right away. Baked brie is delicious served warm right out of the oven.
Simplify it even more. If you don’t want to bake the brie, you can serve this at room temperature (like Trader Joe’s did). This makes serving on a cheese board super simple.
Recipe Riffs & Swaps
- Swap the cranberry sauce for fig jam, apricot preserves or any type of jam you like.
- Use walnuts, pecans, or almonds instead for a different combination or if you don’t have pistachios on hand.
- Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for a touch of holiday flavor
- Drizzle a little hot honey for a sweet and spicy addition.
How to Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, let the Brie cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The Brie will firm up again, but it reheats nicely in the oven. I don’t recommend freezing Brie to store it.
How to Reheat
Warm in a 350°F (176°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until melty again. Or use a microwave-safe dish to reheat in the microwave in 10-15 second increments until warmed through. If the pistachios soften, sprinkle a few fresh nuts on top before serving.
Final Thoughts
It’s funny how you can walk into a store, taste a sample, and come out inspired with a recipe in your head, but that’s exactly what happened! If you need a quick, reliable holiday appetizer, this Easy Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios is the perfect one. It’s quick, festive, and looks amazing on a holiday table.
With just three ingredients and a few minutes in the oven, you can serve something that feels special without any added stress – exactly what this season is all about.
For another way to use those Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, try my Turkey Cranberry Slider recipe!
Love this easy appetizer? Try my 3-ingredient Boursin Cheese Dip or my 3-ingredient Smoked Sausage Bites!
Easy Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce and Pistachios
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C)
- Place your wheel of Brie in a small baking dish and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the Brie is soft and the rind starts to bulge. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish.
- Spoon cranberry sauce over the top of the Brie.
- Sprinkle with pistachios.
- Serve immediately with your favorite crackers. Add a few apple slices for dipping too!
Notes
- I love this recipe because you can really make it your own! Any type of jam or preserves, and your choice of nuts, will work. So you can really tailor this to any holiday or season!
- Plus, the proportions don’t matter. Use as much or as little jam and nuts as you like.
Happy Hosting!
