This Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie is an elegant holiday party appetizer. A wheel of brie is topped with cranberry sauce, dried apricots, pecans, and bacon pieces, encased in puff pastry, and baked until warmed through!
My Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie is a flavorful, well-rounded appetizer that is as unique as it is elegant. This festive recipe, featuring lots of favorite fall flavors, may look complex but is a breeze to make.
In just 25 minutes, you can turn a few simple ingredients into this rich, melty cheese spread. Brie with cranberries and pecans is a delicious centerpiece for your holiday table.
This recipe uses whole berry cranberry sauce along with toasted pecans, dried apricots, bacon, and a dash of cinnamon to create a luscious hors d’oeuvre. The combination of sweet and savory temper the rich, creamy brie to create a luxurious, sweet and savory appetizer that is sure to wow. Be sure to have copies of this quick and easy recipe on hand; everyone will ask you for it!
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven
Total Time: 25 Minutes
Servings: 12
Primary Ingredient(s): Brie, puff pastry, cranberry sauce, dried apricots, pecans, bacon
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Interesting and complex flavor profile. It’s sweet, salty, smoky, creamy, tart, and cheesy.
- Really easy to make!
- Great for dinner parties and holidays.
- Features classic fall ingredients.
Ingredient Notes
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- Brie – Depending on how many you need to serve, choose an 8 to 10 ounce round of classic brie.
- Puff Pastry – There are very good store-bought options for frozen puff pastry. Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is very good.
- Cranberry Sauce – Whole berry cranberry sauce adds a nice sweet-tart contrast to the buttery cheese. Use purchased or make your own cranberry sauce!
- Pecans – You’ll need chopped, toasted pecans. See below for “How to Toast Pecans.”
- Apricots – Dried, chopped apricots add another layer of fruit flavor and texture.
- Bacon – You can use purchased bacon bits, or you can cook and chop up your own.
- Cinnamon – Adds a warm, spicy note.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see this recipe on page 20 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
What is Brie?
Brie is a soft, ripened cheese, usually light yellow to white in color, with a rind of white mold. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a buttery flavor with a runny, creamy texture. In short, it’s totally delicious!
How to Make Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Unfold the puff pastry and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the top rind off of the brie. (You can remove the sides of the brie if you like, but all parts of it are edible.)
- Set the prepared cheese in the center of the puff pastry.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, apricots, pecans, bacon, and cinnamon.
PRO TIPS: Tip #1 — To toast pecans, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a small baking pan. Cook until they begin to brown (about 6-7 minutes). Remove from the oven and cool. Tip #2 — To save time, you can easily use “real bacon” pieces from the grocery.
- Spoon about 3/4 of the cranberry mixture over the brie. Set aside the remaining mixture to use as garnish.
- Gently fold the puff pastry up and around the brie. Use your fingers to pinch the dough closed.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
- When the pastry has cooled, garnish with the remaining cranberry mixture. Serve with crackers, apple slices, or toasted bread.
Recipe Variations
- If you can’t find puff pastry, don’t worry! Try making baked brie with refrigerated pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or your favorite homemade roll dough.
- Not a big fan of brie? Try using raclette cheese or a small wheel of Wisconsin cheddar instead.
- If you don’t happen to have any pecans, you can use toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, or macadamia nuts instead.
Tips
- Be sure to spray or grease the baking sheet thoroughly before you begin working with the puff pastry. You don’t want your beautiful baked brie stuck to the pan!
- Dried figs and dates are great alternatives to dried apricots, and they pair beautifully with brie.
- Make sure to wrap the puff pastry tightly around the brie to ensure there are no leaks during baking. To be doubly sure, brush the seams lightly with egg wash to seal them.
How to Store Leftovers
Any leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure that the brie has completely cooled before storing it.
Baked brie is at its best immediately after baking, but it’s still pretty tasty when leftover. To reheat, take it straight from the fridge, place it on a baking pan, and pop it into a 200°F oven. Heat until the cheese is warm and melty.
How to Make Ahead
The recipe may be prepared ahead by making it up to the point of baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, and place it in the freezer. When you are ready to bake, remove the foil and plastic wrap, and bake as directed, allowing a few additional minutes to cook from frozen.
How to Serve
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie is a wonderful appetizer for many meals! Its classic fall flavors pair quite well with my classic roasted turkey, stuffed turkey breast, or butter roasted chicken.
Questions About Baked Brie
Baked brie can be made with the rind either on or off. I personally like the flavor of it baked with the rind, but the choice is up to you.
I like flavorful, dark toasted breads such as rye or pumpernickel with this cranberry brie, but apple and pear slices, broccoli, crackers, and even roasted potatoes are all great.
Baked brie is best when it’s nice and warm! It may be eaten cold, but it definitely shines when it’s fresh from the oven.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Recipe
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Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 8 ounce round of Brie (use up to a 12-ounce round)
- ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 6 dried apricots finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped pecans toasted*
- 4 slices bacon cooked and chopped**
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Unfold the puff pastry and place it on the prepared baking sheet.1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- Use a serrated knife to cut the top rind off of the brie. (You can remove the sides of the brie if you like, but all parts of it are edible.)8 ounce round of Brie
- Set the prepared cheese in the center of the puff pastry.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, apricots, pecans, bacon, and cinnamon.½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 6 dried apricots, ¼ cup chopped pecans, 4 slices bacon, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Spoon about 3/4 of the cranberry mixture over the brie. Set aside the remaining mixture to use as garnish.
- Gently fold the puff pastry up and around the brie. Use your fingers to pinch the dough closed.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
- When the pastry has cooled, garnish with the remaining cranberry mixture. Serve with crackers, apple slices, or toasted bread.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.