Get ready to wow your party guests—or just treat yourself—with the irresistible Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl! Imagine creamy, melty Brie enveloped in crusty sourdough, topped with sweet-tart cranberry sauce, drizzled with golden honey, and kissed with fresh rosemary. This pull-apart appetizer is delightfully decadent and dramatically easy, making it the perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings, cozy nights in, or any time you’re craving a show-stopping shareable snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient brings something magical to the Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl, so don’t be tempted to skip anything. The combination of flavors and textures is what takes this dish from simple to spectacular!
- Sourdough bread loaf: A sturdy round loaf is the delicious vessel that holds all the cheesy goodness together and develops a gorgeous golden crust when baked.
- Brie cheese: Creamy, buttery decadence that melts beautifully—choose a whole wheel for the most dramatic effect.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce: The juicy berries add sweet and tart contrast to the rich cheese; use homemade or your favorite store-bought version.
- Honey: Just a drizzle brings out the natural sweetness in the cranberries and balances the dish.
- Ground cinnamon: A pinch lends cozy warmth and subtle spice, elevating the classic flavors.
- Chopped fresh rosemary: This fragrant herb infuses freshness and a pop of color, tying everything together.
- Olive oil: Brushed on for shine and to help the bread turn extra-crisp and golden.
- Crackers or sliced baguette: Perfect vehicles for scooping up every bit of cheesy, cranberry-laced goodness.
How to Make Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Bowl
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab your round sourdough loaf and slice off the top, setting it aside for later. Using your Brie wheel as a guide, trace around it in the middle of the bread. Now, carefully scoop out enough of the bread so the Brie fits in snugly. Try not to go all the way through—leave enough bread at the bottom to support all that delicious melted cheese!
Step 2: Make the Cranberry Topping
In a small bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce with honey, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, and some freshly chopped rosemary. Stir it together until it’s glossy and fragrant. The mixture should look jewel-like and smell irresistible already!
Step 3: Assemble the Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl
Tuck the wheel of Brie into the hollowed-out center of the bread. Spoon the sparkling cranberry sauce mixture right over the top of the cheese, spreading evenly so every bite bursts with flavor. Pop the bread lid back on top, loosely covering your soon-to-be masterpiece.
Step 4: Brush and Bake
Lightly brush the outside of the bread (and the bread lid) with olive oil. This step gives the loaf a golden, crusty finish that’s irresistible. Transfer the whole thing onto a baking sheet and slide it into the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is gloriously melted and the bread is golden and crisp.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, remove the bread lid and scatter on some extra rosemary for color and aroma. Serve your Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl warm, surrounded by crackers and sliced baguette for scooping and sharing. Watch it disappear in record time!
How to Serve Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh rosemary is a classic finishing touch, but you can get creative—add toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or even a handful of pomegranate seeds for a sweet-tart burst and extra color. No matter what you choose, the Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl always looks stunning as the centerpiece of your table.
Side Dishes
This showstopper pairs beautifully with crisp, fresh vegetables like sliced cucumbers or sweet bell peppers for dipping. A simple green salad with a citrus vinaigrette can balance the richness, while even a sparkling drink or festive punch will complement the flavors beautifully. You really can’t go wrong!
Creative Ways to Present
Set the bubbling hot bread bowl on a wooden board surrounded by crackers, crostini, and fruit—think sliced apples or pears. Tuck in some herb sprigs for a rustic look or nestle it amid a holiday appetizer spread. For extra panache, serve individual mini bread bowls using small brioche rolls and mini Brie wheels!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, let the bread bowl cool completely. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cheese will solidify but remains delicious for reheating or snacking.
Freezing
While freezing the fully assembled and baked Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl can affect the bread’s texture, you can freeze the hollowed-out bread and the cranberry mixture separately. Wrap each tightly and freeze for up to 1 month, then thaw and assemble just before baking for best results.
Reheating
To enjoy your leftover bread bowl, place it on a baking sheet and warm in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted again and the bread is crisp. Avoid microwaving, which can make the bread soggy and the cheese rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use a different bread instead of sourdough?
Absolutely! While sourdough offers a wonderful chewy texture and deep flavor, you can opt for a round French bread, Italian loaf, or even ciabatta. Just ensure it’s sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese.
What kind of cranberry sauce should I use?
Either homemade or store-bought whole berry cranberry sauce works beautifully in Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl. For extra flair, try adding orange zest, a splash of port, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts to customize the flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the bread and mix the cranberry topping a few hours ahead, keeping them separate until ready to assemble and bake. This way, everything will be perfectly fresh and gooey when you serve it.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute a gluten-free round loaf for the bread and serve with gluten-free crackers or bread on the side. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free!
What can I do with leftover bread that I scooped out?
Don’t let that delicious bread go to waste! Toast the bread cubes for homemade croutons, pulse them for breadcrumbs, or just enjoy them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt as a snack while you wait for the main event.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that’s both easy and unforgettable, the Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl is your ticket to appetizer stardom. Bake it once, and you’ll find yourself creating excuses just to make it again—so go ahead, gather your ingredients and wow your friends and family at your next get-together!
Print
Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of a warm baked cranberry Brie bread bowl, a perfect holiday appetizer that combines the richness of Brie cheese with the sweetness of cranberry sauce, all nestled in a crispy sourdough loaf.
Ingredients
Sourdough Bread Bowl:
- 1 round sourdough bread loaf
Cranberry Brie Filling:
- 1 (8 oz) wheel of Brie cheese
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (plus more for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- crackers or sliced baguette (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the bread: Slice off the top of the bread loaf and set it aside. Trace around the Brie in the center of the loaf and scoop out enough bread to fit the cheese snugly.
- Fill the bread: Place the Brie in the hollowed-out center. Mix cranberry sauce, honey, cinnamon, and rosemary; spread over the Brie. Replace the bread top and brush with olive oil.
- Bake: Bake the filled bread on a baking sheet for 20–25 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is golden.
- Serve: Garnish with rosemary and serve warm with crackers or baguette slices.
Notes
- You can use homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce.
- For a savory twist, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 bread bowl
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
