Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl is a delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of baked brie and tangy cranberry sauce with the fun and sharing aspect of a pull-apart bread. This recipe is perfect for gatherings, parties, or cozy nights at home. It is easy to make and provides a warm, cheesy experience that everyone will love. The crunch of the bread and creamy brie create a perfect taste that melts in your mouth.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

You will love this Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl for many reasons. First, it is incredibly tasty. The creamy brie, smooth cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme create a mix of flavors that work together beautifully. Second, the bread bowl is fun to eat. Guests can pull apart pieces of bread and dip them into the cheesy brie and sweet cranberry sauce. This makes it a great dish for sharing and enjoying together. Third, it is easy to prepare. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can make this dish quickly, even if you don’t have much cooking experience. Lastly, it looks amazing on any table. The warm, gooey cheese paired with the bright cranberry sauce gives a festive touch that will impress your friends and family.

HOW TO MAKE Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 bread boule (round loaf of rustic bread)
• 1 wheel of brie (about 12 ounces, top of rind removed, use triple cream if you can)
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt
• fresh ground pepper

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat Oven: Start by setting your oven to 350°F. This is important to make sure your bread bakes evenly and comes out warm and toasty.
2. Prepare Bread: Take your bread boule and slice off the top quarter. You want to create a lid for your bread bowl. Set this piece aside for later.
3. Hollow Out Bread: Use the wheel of brie to measure a circle in the middle of the bread. With a knife, carefully trace a circle around it and then scoop out the middle part of the bread. Be gentle so you don’t break the sides.
4. Cut Slices: Next, cut slices around the edge of the bread. Make them about 1.5 inches apart. Cut about three-quarters of the way through the base but do not cut all the way through. This will make pull-apart pieces for dipping later.
5. Brush with Oil: Now, brush the inside of the bread with olive oil. This keeps the bread from getting too soggy and adds a nice flavor.
6. Season It: Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh ground pepper inside the bread. Add half of the fresh thyme leaves, which will add delicious herbal notes.
7. Add Brie: Place the brie wheel in the hollowed-out center of the bread. The warm brie will melt beautifully while it bakes.
8. Add Thyme and Cranberries: Sprinkle the remaining thyme over the top of the brie and then spoon the cranberry sauce over it. This will create a lovely contrast of flavor and color.
9. Replace the Top and Bake: Take the lid you cut from the bread and place it back on top. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to catch any melted brie that may ooze out. Bake for about 20 minutes.
10. Serve: If you want, you can toast the extra bread pieces that you scooped out for serving. Serve the bread bowl immediately for the best experience.

HOW TO SERVE Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

You can serve Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl as an appetizer or a fun snack for everyone to enjoy. Place the warm bread bowl on a nice serving platter. Provide small plates or napkins for your guests. You can also set out the extra toasted bread pieces nearby. Encourage everyone to pull apart pieces of bread and dip them into the warm, melted brie and cranberry sauce. This makes for a communal and tasty experience.

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STORAGE & FREEZING: Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

If you have leftovers, it’s best to store them properly. You can keep any uneaten bread bowl in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. However, if you plan to freeze it, it’s better to do so before baking. Wrap the assembled bread bowl tightly with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil to keep it fresh. You can freeze it for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake it as directed.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

This wonderful dish pairs well with many other foods. Serve it alongside a fresh salad, cheese platter, or a bowl of soup for a complete meal. You can also consider offering a variety of dipping sauces, such as honey, balsamic glaze, or even a spicy mustard for those who like to mix flavors. Including nuts or other bite-sized snacks can create a fun spread for everyone to enjoy.

VARIATIONS

There are many ways to mix up this recipe. Here are a few variations you might like:

• Nutty Version: Add chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the brie before baking for a crunchy texture.
• Fruit Addition: Include sliced apples or pears along with the cranberry sauce for an extra fruity flavor.
• Spicy Twist: Add a small amount of red pepper flakes or jalapeños into the brie or cranberry sauce for a spicy kick.
• Herb Infusion: Instead of thyme, try using rosemary or sage for a different herb flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different cheese instead of brie?

Yes, you can use other soft cheeses like Camembert or goat cheese for a different flavor and texture.

2. How do I make it vegetarian?

This recipe is already vegetarian as it contains no meat.

3. Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the bread bowl, fill it with ingredients, and store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake.

4. What do I do if I don’t have thyme?

If you don’t have thyme, you can use dried Italian herbs or even just skip the herbs. The dish will still be delicious!

MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

To save time, you can prepare this dish ahead. Hollow out the bread and prepare the brie and cranberry sauce the day before. Assemble everything and then keep it in the fridge until you are ready to bake. This way, you can simply pop it in the oven when guests arrive, making your entertaining much easier! Enjoy your delicious Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl fresh out of the oven, and delight in the smiles from your friends and family.

Pull Apart Baked Cranberry Brie Bread Bowl

This delightful dish features baked brie and tangy cranberry sauce in a fun, shareable pull-apart bread bowl. Perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 piece bread boule (round loaf of rustic bread)
• 12 ounces wheel of brie (top of rind removed, use triple cream if you can)
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt
• fresh ground pepper

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Slice off the top quarter of the bread boule to create a lid. Set aside.
3. Hollow out the center of the bread using the wheel of brie to measure.
4. Cut slices around the edge of the bread about 1.5 inches apart, cutting three-quarters of the way through the base.
5. Brush the inside of the bread with olive oil.
6. Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh ground pepper inside the bread along with half of the fresh thyme leaves.
7. Place the brie wheel in the hollowed-out center of the bread.
8. Sprinkle remaining thyme over the brie and spoon the cranberry sauce over it.
9. Replace the lid on the bread and place it on a lined baking sheet.

Baking

1. Bake for about 20 minutes.
2. Serve immediately with optional toasted extra bread pieces.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For freezing, wrap the assembled bread tightly before baking and freeze for up to a month.