Festive Holiday Cranberry Brie (Printable Version)

Crisp baguette topped with creamy Brie and tangy cranberry sauce for a festive starter.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crostini

01 - 1 French baguette, sliced into 16 thin rounds
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Toppings

03 - 7 ounces Brie cheese, sliced
04 - 1 cup cranberry sauce, homemade or store-bought
05 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

→ Garnish

06 - 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
07 - Fresh microgreens or arugula (optional)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil.
02 - Bake the bread slices for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Place a slice of Brie on each toasted baguette round and return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese softens but does not melt.
04 - Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce over the Brie on each crostini.
05 - Sprinkle chopped rosemary or thyme on top if desired.
06 - Optionally, garnish with toasted pecans or walnuts and fresh microgreens or arugula. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sweet and savory combination feels festive without any complicated techniques or hard to find ingredients.
  • You can prep the toasts ahead and assemble them in minutes when guests arrive, leaving you free to enjoy the party.
  • Every bite delivers that satisfying crunch followed by creamy richness and a bright burst of cranberry.
02 -
  • Don't skip flipping the baguette slices halfway through toasting, uneven browning leads to some pieces that are too soft and others that taste burnt.
  • If the Brie melts too much it will slide off the toast, so watch closely during that second trip to the oven and pull them out as soon as the edges look glossy.
03 -
  • Use a serrated knife to slice the baguette thinly and evenly, thick slices won't crisp properly and thin ones can shatter under the weight of the toppings.
  • If your cranberry sauce is very sweet, add a pinch of lemon zest or a few drops of balsamic vinegar to balance the flavors and keep the bite from feeling one note.
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