Tag: Brie

The Secret to Juicy Chicken with a Festive Twist (Hint: Cranberries and Brie!)
Juicy chicken is paired with a sweet-tart cranberry-orange sauce and topped with creamy brie for a cozy, holiday-worthy dinner. Everything comes together in one skillet for a dish that feels special but cooks fast.
Flavor: Savory, juicy chicken with the sweet-tartness of cranberries, a hint of orange, and creamy, melted brie for a perfectly balanced bite.

Technique: This recipe uses a simple stovetop technique, searing the chicken until golden before simmering it in a fresh cranberry sauce, then finishing with melted brie.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with some easy roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf.
The Star Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Pound them to an even thickeness with a meat mallet for tender, juicy results.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen berries both work well. Frozen berries may need an extra minute ot two to break down. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness if your cranberries are extra tart.
- Brie: Choose a mild, creamy brie that softens nicely once covered. Remove the rind for smooth melting. Mozzarella is a simple swap if you prefer a milder cheese.
- Orange Juice: Fresh squeeze orange juice with a citrus juicer for a bright, natural flavor. Store-bought juice works as a convenient alternative as well.
How to Make Cranberry Chicken
1. Pound chicken to even thickness. Season and sear.
2. Prepare the cranberry sauce (full recipe below).
3. Return the chicken to the skillet, top with brie, and let the cheese soften.
4. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the chicken and serve warm.
Don’t rush the sauce; simmer until cranberries burst and it thickens.

Taste the sauce before adding the chicken. Cranberries can vary in tartness, so you will want to adjust the sweetness to your liking.

If using frozen cranberries, let the sauce simmer a few extra minutes to thicken.

Brie should soften, but not melt completely. Just cover and remove from heat.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Leftover cranberry chicken will last up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze: The chicken and cranberry sauce freeze well for up to 3 months, but it’s best to remove the brie as it becomes grainy and separates once frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of juice or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid overheating as the brie can separate if reheated too long.
Holiday-Inspired Dinners

Did you enjoy this Easy Cranberry Chicken Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 23 minutes

Resting Time 3 minutes

Total Time 36 minutes

Pound the chicken breasts with the flat side of a meat mallet to an even thickness. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme leaves.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add the diced onion to the skillet, adding more oil if needed, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened.

Stir in cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cranberries break down and the sauce thickens.

Return the chicken, along with any juices, to the skillet and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Top each chicken breast with brie. Cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 3 minutes, or until the cheese begins to soften.

Spoon the cranberry sauce over each piece and serve warm.

If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit more maple syrup.

Let the Brie soften gently under the lid—it shouldn’t be melted, just soft and creamy.

Alternatively, place the skillet under the broiler for 1 – 2 minutes to soften the cheese, making sure the skillet is oven-safe.

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Calories: 322 | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 749mg | Potassium: 602mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Holly Nilsson

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November 23, 2025
Cranberry Brie Bites
Brighten up your table of appetizers with these tasty cranberry brie bites.

Flaky golden brown pastry shells surround buttery baked brie topped with tart cranberry sauce.

These tasty treats are an easy way to please a crowd and brighten an appetizer table!
Brie cranberry bites are easy to prepare and can be prepped ahead of time.

They’re pretty, festive, and delicious.

This holiday appetizer is versatile, swap the cheese, add extra nuts or other preserves.

Use up leftover homemade cranberry sauce from the holidays for brie bites.
Cranberry Brie Bites With Just 4 Ingredients

Pastry: I use refrigerated crescent roll dough from a can to keep these quick and easy. You can also use puff pastry or even phyllo dough cups.

Cheese: Cut the brie into pieces, you can leave the rind on if you’d like. Avoid “double cream” brie as it can become too runny in this recipe.

Cranberry: Homemade cranberry sauce has the best flavor since it’s a bit more tart and easy to make. If using canned, opt for the whole berry version instead of the jelly.

Toppings: Chopped pecans add great flavor. Swap them for walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. Fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme make these festive.

Variations
- You can replace cranberry sauce with pepper jelly, fig jam, or apricot preserves.
- You can replace brie with Camembert, goat cheese, or even cubes of cream cheese.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites

This easy recipe is ready to serve in minutes.
1. Cut crescent dough into 24 squares and tuck each into mini muffin tins.
2. Place a piece of brie into each pastry. Top with cranberry sauce and sprinkle with optional pecans.
3. Bake until melted and golden brown.
How to Make Ahead

To make ahead, assemble the bites in the muffin wells and cover the tin with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

These brie bites can be served warm or at room temperature.

Holly’s Tips
- Freeze the brie for 20 minutes to make it easier to slice. The rind is edible, there’s no need to remove it.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days in an airtight container, or up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- To reheat, place back in the muffin tin tented with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until warmed through.
More Holiday Favorites

These make a great additon to your Christmas table and can be served as thanksgiving appetizers! Here are more holiday favorites.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

An easy 4-ingredient appetizer with creamy brie and tangy cranberry in a golden flaky crust.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Holly Nilsson

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease the wells of 2 mini muffin tins (24 wells).

Unroll the crescent rolls and pinch the seams to seal. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut crescents into 24 squares.

Place each square of dough into a mini muffin tin. Add a piece of bried to each and top with 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if using.

Bake until golden, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from pan immediately. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Store leftover cranberry brie bites in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 days.

Calories: 79 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Holly Nilsson

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October 8, 2024
Apple Pecan Brie Mini Appetizers [+Video] – Oh Sweet Basil
This apple pecan brie cheese appetizer takes the classic combination of flavors to a sweet new level. So easy to make and everyone will love them.

When you throw out words like “brie”, “roasted apples”, and “puff pastry”, you automatically start to think that this is mega fancy. Secretly, it’s so dang easy, which makes it perfect for holiday parties!

The melty brie fills the crunchy puff pastry with savory creaminess while the apple adds sweetness. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures!

What is Brie?

Brie is a soft, buttery and creamy cheese that originated in France. It is off-white in color and made from cow’s milk. It is rich, fruity and earthy in flavor.

How to Make Brie Appetizers Video

Ingredients for Baked Brie Bites

Most of the ingredients for this baked brie appetizer are items that you buy ahead of time and just assemble. So easy! Here is everything you will need:
- Apple: Honeycrisp, Envy, Braeburn or any apple you love works great
- Olive Oil: helps roast the apples
- Salt: enhances the apple flavor
- Puff Pastry: just buy it pre-made at the store
- Brie: grab is in your deli section, you can buy a large wheel of brie or small wheels because they will get cubed
  
  You can leave the rind on or remove it.
- Fig Jam: buy a small jar, I love Trader Joe’s, but any brand works great
  
  If you can’t find fig jam, apricot would be a good substitute.
- Egg and Water: makes an egg wash to help the puff pastry get crispy and golden
- Cinnamon Pecans: you can make your own or buy them already made at the store
- Rosemary: fresh is preferred and chop it up little
The details for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Where Do I Find Brie Cheese?

You will want to head to the deli section to find brie. It will usually be sitting out in the cheese display area, near the feta and other cheeses.

Where Do I Find Puff Pastry?

Puff pastry is found in the freezer section of the grocery store near the pie crusts. The most common brand that I see is Pepperidge Farm.

How to Make Apple Pecan Brie Mini Appetizers

The only actual work you have to do for this recipe is to slice and roast apples, then everything else is just assembling and baking. Here are the basic steps:
1. Roast Apples: slice the apples thin and then toss them in a little olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt, roast them in the oven flipping them part way through
2. Puff Pastry: pull the puff pastry out of the freezer and let it thaw a little then roll it out using a rolling pin, slice into 9 equal squares from each sheet (18 square total)
3. Brie: cube the brie into 1 inch cubes
4. Assemble: press the puff pastry into the wells of a mini muffin tin then place one cube of brie in each puff pastry, then top with a little scoop of fig jam and a slice or two of apple
5. Egg Wash: brush the top of the puff pastry with the egg wash
6. Toppings: sprinkle the top with chopped cinnamon pecans and rosemary
The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Make Ahead and Storage Information

Since most of this recipe is store bought, there’s no real need to make them ahead of time. You could roast the apples ahead of time and just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.

You don’t want to assemble the puff pastry bites too much ahead of time because you don’t want the fillings to make the puff pastry soggy. I recommend assembling and baking immediately, and then eating them while they are warm and brie is gooey delicious.

Leftovers won’t store super well unfortunately because the puff pastry will get soggy over time. If you don’t think you’ll eat 18 of them, just make one sheet of the puff pastry and save all the extra filling items to use when you bake the 2nd sheet.

A few years ago, I posted our pull apart baked brie with bacon onion jam and you all went crazy for it! So I’ve been bringing the brie into more appetizer recipes and I think you all are going to LOVE how easy and scrumptious these apple pecan brie cheese appetizer bites are! Your party guests are going to be so impressed!

More Tasty Appetizers:
Servings: 18

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Description

This apple pecan brie cheese appetizer takes the classic combination of flavors to a sweet new level. So easy to make and everyone will love them.

For the Fruit

Slice the apples very thin and place on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil. Toss to coat and season very lightly with salt. Roast at 425 for about 8 minutes, flip and cook again until beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

1 Apple, Olive Oil, Salt

Roll out the puff pastry sheets and then cut in thirds and then cut in thirds the opposite ways to create 9 perfect squares from each sheet (18 square total). Press the squares of puff pastry into a mini muffin tin.

2 Sheets Puff Pastry

Cut small cubes about 1″ of brie, or halve the Ile de France mini bries. Place one hunk in each puff pastry well.

1 Wheel Brie

Fill with a little fig jam and the roasted apple.

Fig Jam

Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water. Brush the egg wash on the edges of the puff pastry. Bake at 425 for about 18 minutes.

1 Egg, 1 Tablespoon Water

Remove from the oven and immediately top with cinnamon pecan pieces, or praline nuts as well as a small sprinkle of chopped rosemary.

Cinnamon Pecans, 1 Sprig Rosemary

Serving: 1biteCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 72mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 19IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 200+ Easy Appetizers Recipes
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Sweet Basil

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October 7, 2024
Baked Brie
Baked Brie is an appetizer that cheese lovers rave about, and for good reason!

A wheel of smooth Brie cheese is baked under a zesty pecan cranberry topping for a show stopping snack.

Spread it onto crackers, pita chips, or crostini.
- Skip the puff pastry, this recipe takes only a few minutes to prepare.
- The nutty pecan topping combined with the sweet and tart cranberries is a showstopper.
- The interior of this cheese melts into a melty cheese perfect for crackers or apple slices.
- It makes for an awesome spur-of-the-moment snack to offer guests any time of year!
Ingredients for Baked Brie

Brie – Brie is a soft, ripened cheese with a softer interior and a firmer exterior called the rind. It is usually sold in small, medium, or large wheels. The medium to small wheels are the best for this recipe.

Toppings

Change the topping to change the flavor and go either sweet or savory. Our favorites are sweet and nutty, but almost any toppings work

How to Make Baked Brie
1. Top the Brie with nuts, cranberry sauce, and maple syrup.
2. Bake it in the oven (per the recipe below).
Tips for Baked Brie
- For even baking, bring the Brie to room temperature beforehand.
- Allow the Brie to cool slightly before breaking into it. If it’s too hot, the cheese will be too melty and gush everywhere.
- If the Brie starts to harden, place it in a small casserole dish (with sides as the cheese will melt) and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Delish Dippers

Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- It can be served with sliced baguette, crostini, or crackers.
- Fresh fruit platter is great with this baked Brie recipe. Grapes, apples, and melon pair well.
Storing Baked Brie
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for a few days or stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- The Brie can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator. Cook just before it is to be served. Don’t cook it ahead of time, or the cheese will solidify.
- To reheat the baked Brie, cover loosely in aluminum foil, and cook in a preheated 250°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Add a little water to the pan to keep the Brie moist.
Festive Favorites

Did you make this Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
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Or to leave a comment, click here!

Baked Brie with Cranberries & Pecans

A warm, gooey baked Brie, topped with crunchy pecans and a sweet cranberry sauce!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Cool Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Holly Nilsson

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Spread cranberry sauce over brie, combine pecans and maple syrup and spread on top.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is starting to melt. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 10 minutes.

Leftover cranberry sauce is perfect in this recipe. Homemade is best and can easily be frozen and saved to use in this recipe.
To “Bake” Brie in the Microwave: Lightly toast the nuts until golden brown in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add the brie to a microwave-safe dish top with cranberry sauce. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Top with the pecans and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve immediately.
The rind does not need to be removed from a wheel of brie, and it is edible.

Calories: 191 | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 231IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Dip

Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Holly Nilsson

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December 27, 2023
Maple Baked Brie with Cranberry Jam – Simply Scratch
This Maple Baked Brie is one of the easiest appetizers to prepare. Double cream brie is topped with pure maple syrup and baked, getting all soft and creamy before being topped with a homemade cranberry orange jam, toasted walnuts and rosemary. Serve with crackers, crostini or apple wedges and wine!

In need of a festive holiday appetizer? Look no further.

While maple baked brie sounds and looks impressive, it’s one of the easiest appetizers to make and polish off. The creaminess of the melty brie paired with the earthy rosemary, sweet maple syrup and tart orange cranberry jam is a match made in heaven.

I like to serve this with seedy cracker crisps (I found mine at Target), but any crackers, crostini or even apple wedges will do.

To Make This Maple Baked Brie With Cranberry Jam You Will Need:
- cranberries – Add a delicious tart flavor.
- light brown sugar – Lends sweetness.
- orange juice and zest– Adds bright citrus flavor.
- rosemary (fresh) – Adds a fresh woodsy flavor with notes of lemon, pepper and sage.
- brie cheese – Use double or triple cream brie.
- real maple syrup – Lends maple flavor and sweetness.
- toasted walnuts – Or use toasted pecans.
- flaky salt – Adds crunchy texture and salty pockets of flavor.
- crackers, toasted bread or apple wedges – for serving.
Preheat your oven to 350℉ (or 180℃).

Meanwhile, sort through 6 ounces of fresh cranberries, discarding any mushy or blemished ones. Then give them a good rinse.

In a 2-quart saucepan, add the cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 teaspoon grated orange zest and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary.

Stirring often, simmer over medium to medium-low heat for 12 minutes.

Remove and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, toast 1/2 cup of walnuts or pecans. Once toasted, remove and chop.

Place 8 0unce round of brie onto parchment and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Using a paring knife score the top roughly 1/8 of an inch down.

Drizzle with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup.

Bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove and use the parchment to lift and place onto a serving board or platter.

Top with some of the cranberry jam, toasted nuts, a sprinkle of rosemary and flaky salt.

Add the remaining jam to a small bowl and place next to the brie for those who either want just the jam or to add extra jam to their cracker.

I serve this with cracker crisps. These are not homemade, they are the Good & Gather cranberry pumpkin seed cracker crisps and they are so good!

However you could also use crostini, wasa crackers, crispbread or apple wedges.

Click Here And Browse More Appetizer Recipes!

Enjoy! And if you give this Maple Baked Brie recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Yield: 8 servings

Maple Baked Brie with Cranberry Jam

This Maple Baked Brie is one of the easiest appetizers to prepare. Double cream brie is topped with pure maple syrup and baked, getting all soft and creamy before being topped with a homemade cranberry orange jam, toasted walnuts and rosemary. Serve with crackers, crostini or apple wedges.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

FOR THE JAM:

6 ounces cranberries

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon orange zest

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

FOR THE BRIE:

8 ounces double or triple cream brie

2 tablespoons maple syrup

FOR SERVING:

1/2 cup walnuts, or pecans

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

flaky sea salt

toasted bread or crackers

MAKE THE JAM:

Sort through the fresh cranberries, discarding any mushy or blemished ones. Then give them a good rinse.

In a 2-quart saucepan, add the cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest and rosemary. Stirring often, simmer over medium to medium-low heat for 12 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.

MAKE THE BRIE:

Meanwhile, place the brie onto a small square piece of parchment paper and set it on a rimmed baking sheet. Using a paring knife score the top roughly 1/8 of an inch down into a crisscross pattern.

Drizzle with maple syrup and then bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the walnuts (or pecans) in a dry skillet. Heat over medium to medium-low until fragrant. Remove, let cool slightly and then chop.

SERVE:

Remove using the parchment to lift and place onto a serving board or platter. Top with some of the cranberry jam, toasted nuts, a sprinkle of rosemary and flaky salt.Add the remaining jam and walnuts to two small bowls and place next to the brie for those who either want just the jam or to add extra jam and walnuts to their cracker.

The nutritional value is for the brie and does not include the crackers, bread or apple wedges when serving.

Serving: 1ounce, Calories: 208kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 28mg, Sodium: 182mg, Potassium: 148mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 215IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Laurie McNamara

Course: Appetizers & Snacks

Cuisine: American
This post may contain affiliate links.

Laurie McNamara

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December 20, 2023