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Impress your crowd with this easy Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl you can throw together for the holidays. Creamy melted brie gets all cozy with sweet cranberry sauce, tucked inside a golden crusty loaf that’s perfect for sharing and dipping. It looks stunning, tastes amazing, and makes a great addition to any festive table!
Why This Starter Wins Everyone Over
You’ll be glad you picked this one for your holiday spread. It’s simple to whip up, looks amazing on the table, and the taste will have everyone coming back for more. Gooey cheese with tangy cranberries is a winning combo, and the pull-apart bread makes it super fun. Put it out for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or parties—don’t expect leftovers!
Stuff You'll Need for Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl
- Sourdough or Rustic Loaf: Grab a big round bread, one that's got a nice crust.
- Brie Round: One 8-10 ounce cheese, let it warm up on the counter first.
- Cranberry Goodness: One cup, anything goes—store-bought or homemade.
- Fresh Thyme Sprigs: Two or three, for a pop of freshness on top.
- Butter or Olive Oil: Brush it on the bread for that perfect finish.
- Extras if You Want:
- Honey to drizzle before baking
- Some nuts chopped up for crunch
- Rosemary if you want another punch of flavor
Get Your Bread Bowl Ready
- Score the Rim
- Make little cross cuts around the top edge so you’ll have those handy pull-apart chunks later.
- Get Your Bread Chunks Toasty
- Cube the bread you pull out, lay the pieces on a tray, splash on a bit of oil, and toast at 375°F for about 5–7 minutes, until they look golden.
- Keep it Thick
- When you scoop out the inside, leave about an inch all around and on the base so your bowl won’t collapse.
- Chop the Top
- Take a big serrated knife and slice the top off, making it just a bit wider than your cheese round. Set that piece aside.
- Pick the Right Loaf
- Pick an 8–10 inch wide round bread that can fit your brie with space left for the filling.
Put Together Your Brie Bread Bowl
Pop your brie right into the hollowed center of your loaf. Spread cranberry sauce all over the top, then sprinkle on those thyme sprigs for some fresh vibes. Want an extra golden color? Brush a bit of melted butter or oil onto the bread edges before you bake.
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Bake and Dig In
Fire up your oven to 375°F (that’s 190°C). Set your loaded bread on a tray and pop it in for about 15 to 20 minutes, till the cheese is gooey and bubbling. Serve right away! Grab the toasted cubes, some veggies, or crackers for dipping, and let everyone tear pieces off and scoop up that melty cheesy goodness.
Switch It Up or Make It Yours
For extra yum, pour a little honey on the cranberry layer before it goes in the oven. Chopped walnuts or pecans add some crunch. Craving something more savory? Trade cranberry sauce for some caramelized onions or even fig jam. If there’s any left (good luck!), just pop it back in the oven for a few minutes—they’ll get melty and delicious again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should I go for triple cream brie?
- Triple cream brie gets the softest and meltiest. It comes out way creamier than double cream so you'll get super gooey bread every time.
- → Is it okay to prep this in advance?
- You can cut and hollow out your bread earlier. Save the real fun part—filling and baking—right before you want to eat, so the cheese stays warm and gooey.
- → Is whole berry cranberry sauce better?
- Yep. Whole berries give you a chunkier texture and more depth than the smooth kind. It also looks prettier once you melt it with that cheesy layer.
- → What bread should I pick?
- Grab a big round loaf that's nice and crusty—like sourdough or a country-style loaf. You want it tough enough to keep all that melty goodness inside.
- → Any tips for those bread bits you scoop out?
- Don’t toss them! Pop the bread pieces in the oven to toast. Dip them in the cheesy center for an extra tasty bite.