Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans

Of course! Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans is a holiday appetizer favorite, and here are five delicious variations to cover all your entertaining needs, from the classic to appliance-specific methods.

Main
Recipe

Easier or
Healthier version

Crockpot

Insta-pot

Air Fryer

🧀 Classic Main Recipe: Baked Brie en Croûte with Cranberries and Pecans

Oh, there is nothing quite as impressive and utterly delicious as a Baked Brie en Croûte. The buttery, flaky crunch of the puff pastry shell gives way to a river of warm, melted Brie, all balanced by the sweet-tart cranberry and earthy pecans. It’s the ultimate showstopper for any gathering!

Servings: 8-10

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 9-10 oz.), thawed
1 (13.2 oz.) wheel of Brie cheese
1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
1/4 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Optional: 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. You may need to lightly roll it out to ensure it’s large enough to wrap the Brie.
Place the wheel of Brie in the center of the pastry.
Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the Brie.
Sprinkle the chopped pecans and optional rosemary over the cranberry sauce.
Gently bring the corners of the puff pastry up and over the Brie, gathering and sealing the dough tightly at the top. Trim any excess dough.
Brush the entire surface of the pastry with the beaten egg wash.
Sprinkle the top with granulated sugar for a beautiful crust.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate. Serve warm.

Gravy or Topping Ideas

Hot Honey Drizzle: A spicy-sweet finish to cut the richness of the cheese.
Fig and Balsamic Glaze: Whisk together fig jam and a touch of balsamic vinegar for a deeper, savory-sweet note.
Candied Pecans: For an extra crunch, swap the plain pecans for a batch of homemade candied ones.

Grocery List for Classic Main Recipe

Frozen puff pastry (1 sheet)
Brie cheese wheel (approx. 13-14 oz.)
Whole berry cranberry sauce
Pecans (whole or halves)
Large egg
Granulated sugar
Optional: Fresh rosemary

🥗 Simplified/Healthier Version: Crustless Baked Brie with Fresh Herbs

This version eliminates the puff pastry for a lighter, quicker, and naturally lower-carb appetizer. It lets the pure flavor of the warm Brie shine!

Servings: 6-8

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Total Time: 15-17 minutes

Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) wheel of Brie cheese (chilled)
2 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce
2 Tbsp. chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup or honey
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Pinch of flaky sea salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the whole wheel of Brie onto the prepared baking dish.
Optional: Score the top rind of the Brie in a shallow criss-cross pattern to encourage melting, but do not cut all the way through.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the center feels very soft to the touch and the cheese is beginning to ooze.
Carefully remove from the oven.
Spoon the cranberry sauce onto the center of the warm Brie.
Drizzle with maple syrup or honey, then sprinkle with the toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and flaky sea salt.
Serve immediately with whole-grain crackers or apple slices.

Gravy or Topping Ideas

Lemon-Zest Infusion: A tiny grating of fresh lemon zest over the top to brighten the flavor.
Toasted Oat Crumbles: A mix of toasted rolled oats, a touch of brown sugar, and butter, briefly baked for a crunchy, healthy crust substitute.
Pomegranate Arils: For a burst of color and tartness that’s lighter than a heavy jam.

Grocery List for Simplified/Healthier Version

Brie cheese wheel (approx. 8 oz.)
Whole berry cranberry sauce
Pecans (whole or halves)
Pure maple syrup or honey
Fresh thyme
Flaky sea salt (optional)

Slow Cooker Version: Cranberry-Pecan Brie Dip

Using a slow cooker for Brie turns this appetizer into a warm, creamy, communal dip! Perfect for a party where you want to keep the cheese melted and warm for hours without fuss.

Servings: 8-10

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1-2 hours (on Low)

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes – 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 (13.2 oz.) wheel of Brie cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (rind left on)
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1/2 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted
Optional: Pinch of ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Lightly grease a small (2-3 quart) slow cooker insert, or line with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Place the cubed Brie cheese into the bottom of the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, and optional cinnamon.
Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the top of the cubed Brie.
Cover and cook on LOW for 1 to 2 hours. The cheese is ready when it is completely melted and bubbling lightly around the edges.
Gently stir the mixture to combine the melted cheese and topping into a cohesive dip.
Stir in the chopped pecans just before serving.
Switch the slow cooker to the KEEP WARM setting and serve directly from the pot with dippers.

Gravy or Topping Ideas

Cherry Preserve Swirl: Swirl in a spoonful of tart cherry preserves immediately before serving for extra color and fruitiness.
Crispy Bacon Bits: Add finely crumbled crispy bacon for a savory, salty contrast to the sweet cranberry.
Diced Green Onion: A small sprinkle of thinly sliced green onion tops for a fresh, sharp bite.

Grocery List for Slow Cooker Version

Brie cheese wheel (approx. 13-14 oz.)
Whole berry cranberry sauce
Brown sugar
Orange juice
Pecans (whole or halves)
Optional: Ground cinnamon

⚡ Instant Pot Version: Quick Cranberry Brie Bites

Making small, individual brie bites in the Instant Pot is a super-fast way to cook several at once, perfect for an elegant, portion-controlled appetizer! This uses the ‘Bite’ or ‘Egg Bite’ mold method.

Servings: 6-8 Bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes (High Pressure) + Release Time

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into 6-8 squares (approx. $3 \times 3$ inches)
4 oz. Brie cheese, cut into 6-8 small cubes
3-4 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce
2 Tbsp. finely chopped pecans
1 cup water (for the Instant Pot base)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place 1 cup of water in the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside.
Press each puff pastry square into a silicone egg bite mold or a small, heat-safe ramekin.
Place a cube of Brie into the center of the pastry, followed by a spoonful of cranberry sauce and a small sprinkle of chopped pecans.
Fold the corners of the pastry over the filling, creating a little open-faced pouch.
Place the silicone mold (or ramekins) on the trivet.
Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Pressure cook on HIGH for 8 minutes.
Once cooked, perform a Quick Release (QR) by carefully turning the valve to Venting.
Carefully remove the bites from the Instant Pot and the mold. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Gravy or Topping Ideas

Rosemary-Infused Honey: Briefly heat honey with a sprig of fresh rosemary and drizzle over the warm bites.
Coarse Sea Salt: A few crystals of Maldon salt for an immediate salty pop.
Dried Cherry Powder: Grind dried cherries into a fine powder and dust lightly over the top for intense, concentrated fruit flavor.

Grocery List for Instant Pot Version

Frozen puff pastry (1 sheet)
Brie cheese wheel (or wedge)
Whole berry cranberry sauce
Pecans (whole or halves)
Water

Air Fryer Version: Cranberry-Pecan-Stuffed Brie

The Air Fryer is perfect for achieving a quickly melted, golden-brown crust without heating up a whole oven. This recipe skips the puff pastry and focuses on the creamy, molten cheese interior.

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Total Time: 13-15 minutes

Ingredients

1 (8 oz.) wheel of Brie cheese (chilled)
2 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce
2 Tbsp. chopped pecans, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
$1/2$ tsp. vanilla extract
Optional: $1/2$ tsp. ground orange zest

Step-by-Step Instructions

Line the air fryer basket or a small air-fryer-safe dish with parchment paper, cutting off any excess paper that could touch the heating element.
Carefully slice the Brie wheel in half horizontally (like slicing a bagel).
In a small bowl, mix the cranberry sauce, pecans, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and optional orange zest.
Spread half of the cranberry-pecan mixture onto the bottom half of the Brie.
Place the top half of the Brie back on, then spoon the remaining cranberry-pecan mixture onto the top.
Carefully place the stuffed Brie into the air fryer basket.
Air Fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely soft and melted.
Carefully remove and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Gravy or Topping Ideas

Amaretto Drizzle: A tiny splash of Amaretto (almond liqueur) mixed with honey for a nutty, aromatic finish.
Toasted Pistachios: Swap a portion of the pecans for bright green toasted pistachios for visual contrast.
A Touch of Balsamic Glaze: A single, thin ribbon of store-bought balsamic glaze.

Grocery List for Air Fryer Version

Brie cheese wheel (approx. 8 oz.)
Whole berry cranberry sauce
Pecans (whole or halves)
Brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Optional: Orange

The recipe for Instant Pot Baked Brie with Dates and Walnuts offers a useful model for how to adapt the traditional baked brie method to the Instant Pot using a trivet and pressure cooking. https://www.instantpot.com.sg/recipe/baked-brie-with-dates-and-walnuts/

Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans