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Cranberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Pecans

Cranberry Baked Brie combines creamy cheese, homemade cranberry sauce, and toasted pecans.
Wrap the filled Brie in puff pastry, brush with egg wash, and bake at 425°F for 20–25 minutes.
Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh fruit for an easy holiday appetizer.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

For the Cranberry Sauce

  • - 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • - 1/2 cup orange juice
  • - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • - 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
  • - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • - 1 pinch sea salt

For the Brie

  • - 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
  • - 1 wheel Brie cheese 8–12 ounces
  • - 2/3 cup toasted pecans roughly chopped
  • - 1 large egg beaten
  • - 1–2 teaspoons coarse sugar for sprinkling

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the cranberry sauce

  • Add the fresh cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, alcohol-free vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt to a medium saucepan.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  • Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and the sauce thickens into a jam-like consistency.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool slightly.

Step 2: Preheat the oven

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 3: Prepare the puff pastry

  • Unfold the thawed puff pastry onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • If necessary, gently roll the pastry to smooth out any folds and create enough surface area to wrap around the Brie.
  • Keep the pastry cool while preparing the filling.

Step 4: Add the Brie and cranberry filling

  • Place the Brie wheel in the center of the puff pastry.
  • Carefully remove a thin layer of rind from the top of the cheese, leaving the bottom and sides intact.
  • Spoon a generous layer of the cooled cranberry sauce over the exposed cheese.
  • Sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans evenly over the cranberry filling.

Step 5: Wrap the Brie

  • Gently lift the corners of the puff pastry and fold them over the Brie, bringing the edges together at the top.
  • Press the seams lightly to seal the pastry around the cheese.
  • Trim away any excessive pastry if necessary, making sure the Brie remains completely enclosed.

Step 6: Add the finishing touches

  • Brush the outside of the pastry with the beaten egg, covering the top and sides evenly.
  • Sprinkle a light layer of coarse sugar over the pastry for a delicate sweetness and beautiful golden finish.

Step 7: Bake until golden

  • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
  • Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed, crisp, and deeply golden brown.
  • If the pastry begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the top with aluminum foil during the final minutes of baking.

Step 8: Rest and serve

  • Remove the Cranberry Baked Brie from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes.
  • Transfer it carefully to a serving board or platter.
  • Serve warm with your favorite crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh fruit.

Notes

Cranberry substitutions
Frozen cranberries can replace fresh cranberries without thawing. The sauce may need a few additional minutes to reach the desired consistency.
Maple syrup alternatives
Honey can replace maple syrup if you prefer a slightly different sweetness.
Nut alternatives
Chopped walnuts or pistachios can replace pecans. For a nut-free version, omit the nuts entirely.
Cheese alternatives
Camembert can replace Brie for a slightly earthier flavor and similarly creamy texture.
Pastry alternatives
Choose an all-butter or vegetable-fat puff pastry made without animal-derived ingredients that do not meet your dietary requirements.
Halal-friendly preparation
Use alcohol-free vanilla extract and check that the Brie is made with microbial or vegetarian rennet, or is otherwise halal-certified. Verify that the puff pastry contains no unsuitable animal fats or alcohol-based ingredients.
Serving suggestions
Serve this holiday baked Brie with toasted baguette slices, buttery crackers, apple slices, pear wedges, or grapes.
For a festive presentation, arrange fresh rosemary sprigs and a few extra cranberries around the serving platter.