Description
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread is a festive, warm, and comforting appetizer combining flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry or bread dough with gooey, creamy Brie cheese and tangy, sweetened cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family treats, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a beautiful blend of sweet and savory flavors with an irresistible pull-apart texture.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries – 1 cup
- Brie cheese – 8 ounces
- Puff pastry or bread dough – 1 sheet or equivalent dough for pulling apart
- Brown sugar – ¼ cup
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) – for brushing
Optional Ingredients
- Chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) – ¼ cup
- Fresh rosemary or thyme – 1-2 teaspoons, finely chopped or sprigs for garnish
- Honey – for drizzling before serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Filling: Combine fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and a splash of water in a small saucepan. Cook gently over medium heat until the cranberries soften and release their juicy, tart flavors, forming a sweet and tangy filling. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Slice the Brie and Prep Your Dough: Cut the Brie into even slices ensuring each layer gets plenty of cheese. On a floured surface, roll out your puff pastry or bread dough into a large rectangle for easy layering.
- Layer the Bread: Place one layer of dough on a baking surface. Evenly spread a portion of the cranberry mixture over the dough, followed by Brie slices. Repeat this layering process—dough, cranberry filling, Brie—ending with a final layer of dough on top.
- Score and Brush: Using a sharp knife, gently score a grid pattern into the top dough layer, cutting shallowly to allow pull-apart sections after baking. Brush the top layer with egg wash to give a glossy, golden crust once baked.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the assembled bread in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread puffs up nicely, cheese melts inside, and the crust turns a rich golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Fresh is best: Use fresh cranberries for the juiciest and most vibrant flavor.
- Don’t overfill: Keep the amount of cheese and cranberry filling balanced to prevent sogginess.
- Chill before baking: Refrigerate the assembled bread for 15 minutes to tighten the dough and help achieve cleaner cuts and better rise.
- Score lightly: Make shallow cuts on the top dough so the bread can be pulled apart easily without collapsing.
- Watch the oven closely: Baking times may vary; check often to prevent overbrowning or dryness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of bread
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cranberry brie pull-apart bread, holiday appetizer, festive bread, sweet and savory bread, pull-apart bread, Brie recipes