Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is infused with a balsamic glaze and takes less than 15 minutes to make. It will become your go-to holiday appetizer!
If you’re looking for me at any type of party, holiday or otherwise, you might want to check at the appetizer table first. Especially if there’s some baked brie present!

Why You’ll Love Balsamic Cranberry Brie
Holiday Cheese Appetizer or Gift – Holidays are the most fun time for anyone who loves to cook. There are so many opportunities to host parties and get-togethers, take a dish to work or school or to a neighbor “just because” or, heck, just to treat yourself! A nice bottle of wine goes so well with Brie and it can keep a lot of party-people happy.
Quick & Easy to Make – My baked Brie recipe is about as simple as you can get and it’s incredibly versatile, too. It’s just 5 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes to make.
Versatile – Sometimes I skip the brie- baking entirely and just top it with the warm, roasted balsamic cranberries. Other times I’ll make the cranberries in advance then simply bring to room temperature before serving. Or I bake it all last minute since it’s so simple!
Roasted Balsamic Cranberry Sauce – This tart and sweet Roasted Cranberry Balsamic glaze truly complement the rich, buttery flavor of the brie cheese, elevating this appetizer to another level. The cranberry topping alone is fantastic on its own, too. I’ve served this cranberry balsamic glaze in place of cranberry sauce and everyone always raves. I’m a major balsamic fan so I can eat this sauce on its own and be quite happy.

Bake Brie Ingredient Notes
- Brie Cheese Wedge: Use your favorite brand of Brie. This recipe calls for a 16 oz wedge or you can simply cut the recipe in half and use an 8 oz wedge.
- Fresh cranberries: I recommend using fresh cranberries as they provide the best flavor but you can use frozen cranberries in a pinch. You’ll need to thaw them first in a colander so the liquid drains off, then gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Measure the cranberries before they’re thawed to avoid adding too many to this recipe.
- Granulated sugar or Truvia cane sugar – If you prefer to use a keto-friendly calorie-free sweetener it can be done in equal parts substitution. I have made this recipe both ways and it turns out great either way.
How to Make Baked Brie
- Prepare the sauce – Mix together sugar and balsamic vinegar, then toss the cranberries in mixture to coat.
- Roast the cranberry sauce – Roast the cranberries for about 5 minutes.
- Bake the sauce & cheese – Stir the cranberries then bake both the cranberries and cheese for 5 more minutes.
- Cool and add topping – Cool for a few minutes then place the brie on serving tray and top with roasted balsamic cranberries.

Variations
Cranberry Twist – Instead of balsamic cranberries, top the baked Brie with sugared cranberries.
Serving Ideas – Scoop up all the deliciousness of this cheese snack with crackers, crusty bread, crostini or even crudites.
Baked Brie Toppings
While I wouldn’t change a thing with this Baked Brie recipe, here are a few more delicious toppings to consider adding or substituting to make it your own unique appetizer.
Nuts – Add a crunchy contrast to the sweetness with chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia or pistachios. Smoked or toasted nuts are even better!
Sweetness – Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the baked Brie.
Jams, jellies and fruit compotes: Baked Brie with jam, jelly or fruit compote perfectly complements the rich cheese. Try fresh or dried fruits such as raspberry, cranberry, cherry, strawberry, apricot, fig or hot pepper jelly.
Fruit – Similar to jellies and jams you can add a fruity element with diced apples, pear slices, grapes, or pomegranate arils. Lemon zest is a nice touch as well and while not quite a fruit sun dried tomatoes or fresh cherry tomatoes pair well too.
Caramelized onions – Savory caramelized onions add an umami flavor to the baked brie. Better yet, try these Balsamic Caramelized Onions.
Herbs and garlic – Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, along with minced garlic, adds a wonderful infusion of flavors.
Bacon – Everything tastes better with bacon and bacon bits on top of a baked cheese wedge is divine.
Garnish – For decoration add sprigs of rosemary or thyme.
Many of these toppings pair well together too, such as bacon and maple syrup or honey and nuts.

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
This Cranberry Baked Brie is infused with a balsamic glaze and takes less than 15 minutes to make. It will become your go-to holiday appetizer!
Ingredients
- 1 (16oz) large wedge brie cheese, about a pound
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or Truvia cane sugar
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- pinch kosher salt
- a few sprigs thyme, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix together sugar and balsamic vinegar; add cranberries and toss to coat. Pour cranberries onto sheet pan and roast for 5 minutes.
- Stir cranberries and place back in oven while also placing brie in oven at the same time on a separate sheet pan. Heat both for 5 minutes more.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then place brie on serving tray and top with roasted balsamic cranberries.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 207Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 295mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 10g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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Carol
Friday 8th of December 2023
Well this recipe popped up for me at the right time! I was looking for a way to incorporate cranberries with brie for a party I am going to tomorrow. This looks delicious!
Serena
Wednesday 23rd of December 2015
I love brie and the roasted balsamic cranberries sound like an amazing combo! I can't wait to make it!
Ashley
Wednesday 23rd of December 2015
The flavors here sound amazing together!! Have to try this!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
Wednesday 2nd of December 2015
I absolutely love baked brie...this looks divine! Perfect holiday appetizer!
Kristy Bernardo
Thursday 3rd of December 2015
Thank you, Michelle!
Nancy Anderso
Monday 23rd of November 2015
Sounds good, just want to know if I make it early can I heat up later
Kristy Bernardo
Wednesday 25th of November 2015
Absolutely, Nancy! I would just serve it all at room temperature if you've already made the cranberries. Happy Thanksgiving!