Description
Savory baked brie with honey-balsamic cranberry sauce brings Mediterranean elegance to holiday gatherings. Creamy cheese melts beneath tart cranberry glaze, offering sophisticated comfort perfect for sharing with guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese:
- 1 round brie cheese (about 8 ounces / 226 grams)
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- Fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish)
Sauce and Sweeteners:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Arrange the baking sheet with a parchment paper liner, creating a pristine surface for the cheese preparation.
- Position the wheel of Brie centrally on the prepared baking surface, allowing it to melt gracefully in the preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 15-20 minutes until luxuriously soft.
- Simultaneously craft the vibrant cranberry sauce by combining tart cranberries, golden honey, rich balsamic vinegar, and deep brown sugar in a compact saucepan, encouraging the ingredients to simmer and meld together over medium heat.
- Gently coax the cranberries to burst and release their crimson essence, stirring periodically until the mixture transforms into a luscious, thick compote with a glossy finish.
- Carefully extract the molten Brie from the oven, transferring it to an elegant serving platter with precision.
- Cascade the warm cranberry sauce over the cheese, allowing it to elegantly drape and pool around the creamy wheel.
- Enhance the presentation by scattering a constellation of chopped pecans and jewel-like pomegranate seeds across the surface.
- For an aromatic flourish, delicately sprinkle fresh rosemary sprigs to elevate the visual and sensory experience.
- Accompany the dish with an array of crisp crackers, rustic baguette slices, or a selection of fresh seasonal fruits for a complete gustatory journey.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality, creamy Brie wheel with a soft rind for the best melting texture and rich flavor profile.
- Let the Brie sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even melting and smooth consistency.
- Stir the cranberry sauce frequently to prevent burning and achieve a perfect jammy thickness that coats the cheese beautifully.
- Swap honey for maple syrup to make the recipe vegan-friendly, and use gluten-free crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg