Festive Holiday Cranberry Brie (Print Version)

A vibrant starter featuring creamy Brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and crisp toasted baguette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crostini

01 - 1 French baguette, sliced into 16 thin rounds
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Toppings

03 - 7 oz Brie cheese, sliced
04 - 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
05 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

→ Garnish

06 - 2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
07 - Fresh microgreens or arugula (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
02 - Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
03 - Place a slice of Brie on each toasted baguette round. Return to oven for 2 to 3 minutes until the Brie softens but does not fully melt.
04 - Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce over the Brie on each crostini.
05 - Sprinkle chopped rosemary or thyme over each crostini, if using.
06 - Optionally garnish with toasted pecans or walnuts and fresh microgreens or arugula. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but honestly takes less effort than making toast.
  • The sweet-tart cranberry against warm, creamy Brie is the kind of flavor combination that makes people pause mid-conversation.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just pop it in the oven when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't overbake the Brie or it will turn into a greasy mess—just a couple of minutes is all you need.
  • If your baguette is super fresh and soft, pop the slices in the oven for an extra minute to make sure they hold up under the toppings.
03 -
  • Use a serrated knife to slice the baguette—it keeps the rounds even and prevents squishing.
  • Warm your Brie to room temperature before slicing so it spreads easily and melts faster in the oven.
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