Melty Cranberry Brie Bowl

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Soft bread, gooey brie, and cranberry sauce combine for a festive, pull-apart side dish. Prepped in 25 minutes, it's perfect for gatherings.
A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:00:44 GMT
Warm round bread filled with brie, cranberry sauce, and thyme, served with cranberries on the side. Pin it
Warm round bread filled with brie, cranberry sauce, and thyme, served with cranberries on the side. | cuisinegenial.com

You'll flip for this mouthwatering Melty Cranberry Cheese Bread Bowl! It's super simple to throw together but looks fancy enough to wow your holiday guests. The gooey brie melts perfectly with tangy cranberry sauce, all nestled in a tear-apart bread shell made for sharing. It'll definitely be the star of your festive spread!

What Makes This Crowd-Pleaser So Fantastic

This showstopper ticks all the boxes: it's a breeze to make, looks stunning on the table, and tastes absolutely amazing. There's something magical about the combo of creamy brie and zingy cranberry that folks can't resist. The fun part? Everyone gets to tear off pieces of the bread to dunk in the warm, melty center. Put this out at your next holiday party and watch it vanish!

What You'll Need

  • Crusty Bread Round: 1 big sourdough or artisan loaf.
  • Brie Wheel: 8-10 ounce chunk, left out to soften.
  • Cranberry Sauce: 1 cup ready-made or homemade.
  • Thyme Sprigs: 2-3 fresh sprigs to top it off.
  • Olive Oil or Butter: Just enough to brush the bread.
  • Extra Add-ins:
    • A drizzle of honey
    • Some crunchy nuts
    • Sprigs of rosemary for smell

Getting Your Bread Ready

Find the Right Loaf
Go for a round bread about 8-10 inches across, making sure it's big enough to fit your cheese with room to spare.
Slice the Lid
Grab a bread knife and cut a circle from the top that's slightly bigger than your brie. Keep this piece for later.
Scoop It Out
Dig out the middle, leaving walls about 1-inch thick. Don't throw away the bread chunks!
Make Dippers
Cut the extra bread into bite-sized squares. Spread them on a baking sheet, splash with oil, and bake at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until they're golden. These are perfect for dunking.
Create Pull-Apart Edges
Cut criss-cross lines around the top edge, about an inch deep and an inch apart, so folks can tear off pieces easily.

Putting It All Together

Drop your brie right into the hollowed bread bowl. Spoon cranberry sauce all over the cheese, then sprinkle fresh thyme on top for extra flavor. If you want, brush some oil or melted butter around the edges of the bread to help it turn golden brown in the oven.

A hollowed bread loaf filled with melty cheese and red cranberry topping, garnished with herbs and surrounded by fresh cranberries. Pin it
A hollowed bread loaf filled with melty cheese and red cranberry topping, garnished with herbs and surrounded by fresh cranberries. | cuisinegenial.com

Cooking and Digging In

Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Stick the loaded bread bowl on a baking sheet and cook for 15–20 minutes until the cheese gets all bubbly and melty. Bring it straight to the table with your toasted bread chunks, some crackers, or veggie sticks. Your guests will love ripping off bread pieces and scooping up the gooey cheesy cranberry mix.

Clever Twists and Tricks

Want to take it up a notch? Try adding a honey drizzle before it goes in the oven. Tossing in some pecans or walnuts adds a nice crunch too. Not into cranberry? Switch it out for caramelized onions or fig spread instead. Got leftovers? Just pop it back in the oven for a few minutes to bring back that melty goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the benefit of triple cream brie?
It melts smoother and gives a rich, creamy texture that's perfect for an indulgent dish like this.
→ Can I prep it in advance?
You can slice the bread and get it ready earlier, but save the assembly and baking for just before serving to keep it fresh and gooey.
→ Why choose whole berry cranberry sauce?
It adds a better texture and depth of flavor compared to the jellied kind, and it looks appetizing when baked with brie.
→ Is there a specific bread I should use?
A firm bread boule like sourdough or country bread works best. It'll hold the gooey filling without falling apart.
→ How do I use leftover bread bits?
Toast the pieces and serve them for scooping up the extra cheese and sauce. They make great crunchy dippers!

Melty Cranberry Brie Bowl

A freshly baked bread filled with creamy brie and cranberry sauce, sprinkled with thyme. A hit for your holiday parties.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 bread bowl)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 wheel of brie (around 12 ounces), remove the top rind (triple cream is perfect if possible).
02 1 rustic round loaf of bread (bread boule).
03 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
04 Kosher salt to taste.
05 1/2 cup of whole berry cranberry sauce.
06 Freshly cracked pepper as needed.
07 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and let it heat up.

Step 02

Cut the top quarter off the loaf. Trace a circle using the brie as a guide, then carve and scoop out the center of the bread.

Step 03

Make cuts around the outer edge of the bread roughly 1.5 inches apart. Don’t cut all the way through; stop just before the bottom crust so the pieces stay connected for easy dipping.

Step 04

Brush olive oil on the bread's inside. Add a good pinch of salt and ground pepper. Sprinkle half the thyme across the inside, pop the brie wheel in the center, then top it with the rest of the thyme and cranberry sauce.

Step 05

Put the bread lid back on and bake for around 20 minutes. Use foil or parchment on your baking sheet to catch any melted brie. If you want extra bread for dipping, toast the insides you pulled out. Serve right away!

Notes

  1. Triple cream brie melts beautifully, so use it if you can.
  2. Stick to whole berry cranberry sauce, not the jiggly kind.
  3. Toasted leftover bread makes a great dipper.

Tools You'll Need

  • A knife for cutting.
  • Foil or parchment paper for your tray.
  • A baking sheet to hold the bread.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Made with wheat products.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 269
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein: 12 g