Quick & Cheesy Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Tender, pillowy bread studded with creamy cranberry brie pulls apart like magic at your holiday gathering.

Cheese lovers understand the irresistible allure of melted brie mingling with tart cranberries.

Sharp flavors dance across warm, golden layers that separate effortlessly.

Quick assembly means minimal kitchen time and maximum enjoyment for everyone.

Guests will marvel at this stunning centerpiece that looks far more complicated than its simple preparation.

Small groups or large crowds can equally appreciate this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Each delectable bite promises a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors that’ll have people asking for your secret.

Serve this showstopping cranberry brie pull-apart bread and watch faces light up with pure delight.

Tricks for Getting Melted Brie Perfection

• Choose Day-Old Bread: Select a slightly stale sourdough loaf for optimal texture and easier cutting without falling apart.
• Slice Carefully: Make crosshatch cuts gently and precisely, ensuring you don't cut through the bread's base to maintain its structural integrity.
• Control Cheese Melting: Use small brie cubes to ensure even melting and prevent overwhelming the bread's delicate structure.
• Customize Cranberry Sauce: Adjust sugar levels or swap orange juice with water for a less sweet or more tart cranberry sauce to suit personal taste preferences.
• Herb Flexibility: Replace rosemary with thyme or sage if desired, matching the herb to your flavor profile and available ingredients.

Store and Reheat Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread

• Store leftover pull-apart bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
• Wrap bread in foil and warm at 300F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring cheese melts and bread maintains its soft texture.
• Heat individual portions for 15-20 seconds, checking to avoid overheating and maintaining bread's original crispness.
• Consume within 2 days for best flavor and texture, as the bread may become soggy if stored too long.

Why Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread Is a Holiday Hit

• Effortlessly impress guests with this showstopping appetizer that combines sweet cranberry sauce and creamy brie in a shareable bread format.
• Create restaurant-quality dish with just 30 minutes of total cooking time and simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
• Easily adapt the recipe by switching cheeses, adjusting cranberry sauce sweetness, or using different bread types to match personal preferences.
• Designed for social gatherings, this pull-apart bread serves as an interactive and visually stunning appetizer that encourages conversation and communal eating.

Everything You’ll Need for Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

Main Ingredients:

• Sourdough Loaf: A classic bread with tangy flavor, perfect for creating pull-apart texture. Day-old bread works best for structural integrity.

• Cranberries, Sugar, Orange Juice, Orange Zest, Cinnamon: Combine to create a vibrant, sweet-tart homemade cranberry sauce with warm spice notes.
• Brie Cheese: Creamy, soft cheese that melts beautifully and adds rich, buttery flavor to the bread.

• Butter: Helps crisp the bread and adds richness to the overall dish.
• Fresh Rosemary: Provides aromatic herb garnish with bright, pine-like flavor that complements the cranberry and cheese.

How to Assemble the Perfect Pull-Apart Bread

Step 1: Create Zesty Cranberry Sauce

• Fresh cranberries
• Granulated sugar
• Orange juice
• Orange zest
• Ground cinnamon

Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare Bread Base

Select a sourdough loaf that’s slightly stale. Using a sharp knife, create a careful crosshatch pattern across the bread, cutting deep but keeping the bottom intact. This allows the bread to open like a beautiful flower when stuffed.

Step 3: Stuff and Dress the Bread

Preheat oven to 350F. Gently separate bread sections with your fingers. Drizzle melted butter between each slice, ensuring even coverage. Tuck small pieces of creamy brie and dollops of cranberry sauce into every crevice, distributing ingredients generously throughout the loaf.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Wrap bread completely in aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes to allow cheese to melt and flavors to blend. Unwrap foil for final 5-10 minutes, allowing bread edges to crisp and top to turn golden brown.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Sprinkle freshly chopped rosemary across the top for a burst of herbal aroma. Serve immediately while warm, encouraging guests to pull apart sections and enjoy the gooey, flavorful creation.

What Tastes Great with Cranberry Brie Bread

• Enhance the creamy brie and tangy cranberry flavors with a crisp, bubbly Italian sparkling wine that cuts through the richness and complements the bread's texture.
• Arrange prosciutto, salami, and aged cheddar alongside the pull-apart bread to provide savory contrast and additional depth to the appetizer experience.
• Select a light-bodied red wine with subtle earthy undertones that harmonizes with the rosemary's aromatic profile and balances the sweet-tart cranberry sauce.
• Toss mixed greens with candied walnuts, goat cheese, and a maple vinaigrette to introduce a complementary nutty freshness that echoes the bread's warm, comforting elements.

Pull-Apart Bread Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Cranberry Brie Bread: Replace sourdough with gluten-free bread or use cauliflower bread for a low-carb alternative. Use certified gluten-free brie cheese to ensure dietary compatibility.
• Vegan Cranberry Option: Substitute dairy brie with plant-based cheese like cashew brie or vegan cheese wheels. Replace butter with olive oil or coconut oil for similar moisture and richness.
• Savory Herb Variation: Add different herbs like thyme or sage instead of rosemary. Include chopped garlic or chives between bread sections for extra flavor complexity.
• Spicy Cranberry Version: Incorporate red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into cranberry sauce. Add a dash of cayenne pepper to create a warming, spicy undertone for the appetizer.

All the FAQs About Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

• Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just thaw them before cooking and follow the same recipe instructions. Fresh or frozen will work equally well for the cranberry sauce.

• What type of bread works best for this recipe?

Sourdough is recommended, preferably a day-old loaf. A dense, sturdy bread like sourdough helps maintain the structure when cutting and pulling apart the sections. Avoid very soft or thin breads.

• How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?

Make sure to use day-old bread and don’t oversaturate with butter or sauce. Wrap loosely in foil during initial baking and open the foil for the last few minutes to help crisp up the exterior.

• Can I make the cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cranberry sauce up to 3-4 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the pull-apart bread.

Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cranberry brie pull-apart bread brings festive comfort to holiday gatherings with its irresistible blend of melty cheese and tart berries. Warm, pull-apart layers invite guests to savor each cheesy, cranberry-studded bite of this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 round sourdough loaf (about 1 lb / 450 g)
• 8 ounces (225 g) Brie cheese, sliced
• ½ cup (120 g) cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. In a saucepan, merge cranberries with sugar, orange juice, zest, and cinnamon. Simmer on medium heat, stirring consistently until berries burst and mixture transforms into a thick, glossy compote. Allow mixture to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Select a rustic sourdough loaf, preferably day-old for optimal texture. Carefully slice bread in a precise crisscross pattern, ensuring base remains intact to hold the loaf’s structure.
3. Heat oven to 350F (175C). Gently separate bread sections with fingertips, creating pockets for filling. Drizzle melted butter generously between each slice, ensuring even distribution.
4. Nestle small cubes of creamy brie and dollops of cranberry sauce into each bread section. Distribute ingredients evenly, allowing flavors to intermingle throughout the loaf.
5. Encase bread completely in aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment for initial baking. Place in preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and flavors to meld.
6. Unwrap foil during final cooking stage, exposing bread’s surface. Continue baking for additional 5-10 minutes until edges crisp and top develops a golden-brown sheen.
7. Remove from oven and let rest momentarily. Garnish with freshly chopped rosemary, adding aromatic complexity. Serve immediately while warm, encouraging guests to pull apart sections and savor the melted cheese and tangy cranberry notes.

Notes

• Select a sourdough loaf with a sturdy crust that can withstand cutting and filling without falling apart during baking.
• Choose slightly stale bread for better structural integrity and easier slicing without crumbling.
• Ensure cranberry sauce is cooled completely before adding to prevent soggy bread texture and maintain crisp edges.
• Cut bread sections carefully without slicing through the bottom, creating a connected network of pull-apart segments for maximum cheese and sauce distribution.
• Use room temperature brie for smoother melting and more even coverage throughout the bread sections.
• Experiment with different cheese variations like goat cheese or gruyère for unique flavor profiles while maintaining similar melting characteristics.
• Consider making this dish gluten-free by using a gluten-free artisan bread and checking ingredient compatibility.
• Prepare cranberry sauce ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to three days to streamline day-of preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg