Description
Cranberry brie pull-apart bread delivers a festive twist on classic party appetizers. Warm, cheesy layers meld with tart cranberries, creating an irresistible shared experience you’ll savor with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 round sourdough loaf (1 lb / 450 g)
- 8 oz (225 g) brie cheese, sliced
- ½ cup (120 g) cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ tsp dried rosemary)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Cranberry Preparation: Combine cranberries with sugar, orange juice, zest, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat, stirring until berries burst and mixture reduces to a glossy compote. Cool completely at room temperature.
- Bread Preparation: Select a day-old sourdough loaf and slice in a precise crisscross pattern, maintaining the base’s structural integrity. Create pockets between bread sections using fingertips.
- Initial Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly drizzle melted butter between bread slices, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Carefully tuck brie cubes and cranberry sauce into each bread pocket, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Baking Process: Wrap bread completely in aluminum foil, creating a sealed cooking environment. Bake for 15-20 minutes to allow cheese melting and flavor infusion. Unwrap foil during final 5-10 minutes to crisp edges and develop a golden-brown exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Sprinkle freshly chopped rosemary over the bread for aromatic enhancement. Serve warm, inviting guests to pull apart sections and experience the harmonious blend of melted cheese and tangy cranberry compote.
Notes
- Select Bread Wisely: Choose a day-old sourdough loaf to ensure optimal texture and structure, preventing bread from becoming too soft or falling apart during preparation.
- Master Cutting Technique: Slice bread in a precise crisscross pattern without cutting through the base, creating perfect pockets for cheese and cranberry filling while maintaining the loaf’s integrity.
- Control Moisture Balance: Cool cranberry compote completely before adding to bread to prevent soggy texture and ensure clean, distinct flavor layers.
- Distribute Ingredients Evenly: Carefully nestle brie cubes and cranberry sauce into each bread section, ensuring every bite delivers a harmonious blend of melted cheese and tangy fruit.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg