Name: Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup frozen or fresh cranberries; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, plus more for drizzling; 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest; 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; Kosher salt, a large pinch; Ground cinnamon, a large pinch; All-purpose flour, for dusting; 1 (8-oz.) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed; 1 (8-oz.) wheel brie; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

If you’re looking for the perfect cozy appetizer that’s both impressive and downright delicious, you’ve gotta try this Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe. Seriously, it’s one of those dishes that instantly feels festive and fancy, but it’s super easy to pull together. Imagine the creaminess of baked brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry, topped with a tangy, sweet maple-cranberry jam that’s bursting with bright citrus notes — I absolutely love how this turns out and I swear my family goes crazy for this during the holidays and beyond. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my best tips so you can nail it the first time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy: The maple syrup and cranberries create a jam that complements the creamy brie beautifully.
Effortlessly Elegant: You get that wow-factor with minimal fuss, thanks to puff pastry doing the heavy lifting.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for holiday parties, cozy nights, or last-minute guests.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the cranberry-maple jam in advance and assemble just before baking.

The dish shows four triangular golden brown puff pastry pieces with a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top, arranged in a circle on a white marbled surface. Inside the circle is a layer of bright red chunky cranberry sauce. In the center, there is a round cheese wheel with a light yellow melted center that stretches as a piece of white cracker breaks a corner of the cheese, showing a bit of red sauce on the cracker. The edges of the pastry are flaky and layered, and the overall look is warm and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Maple Cranberry Baked Brie, holiday appetizer with baked brie, easy festive appetizer recipes, cranberry baked brie pastry, holiday cheese appetizer

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays a part in building that perfect balance of flavor and texture — from the tart cranberries to the flaky puff pastry, all tied together with a kiss of maple syrup and a hint of citrus zest. You’ll find that using fresh orange juice and zest really brightens things up, and a pinch of cinnamon adds just the right warmth.

Flat lay of fresh whole cranberries scattered beside a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl filled with pure amber maple syrup, a single fresh orange sliced in half showing bright orange flesh, a small white bowl holding vibrant orange juice, a small white bowl containing white cornstarch powder, a pinch of ground cinnamon artfully placed as a small heap, a dusting of smooth all-purpose flour arranged neatly, a square sheet of golden frozen puff pastry resting flat, an uncut round wheel of creamy brie cheese with natural rind, one large whole uncracked egg with a clean shell, and a small white bowl of coarse turbinado sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic plate and bowls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Maple Cranberry Baked Brie, holiday appetizer with baked brie, easy festive appetizer recipes, cranberry baked brie pastry, holiday cheese appetizer

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen both work; fresh give a brighter flavor but frozen are super convenient.
Granulated sugar: Balances the tartness in the cranberries; don’t skip it!
Pure maple syrup: Adds deep, natural sweetness and pairs perfectly with cranberries.
Orange zest and juice: The zest adds aroma and the juice helps loosen the jam—fresh is best!
Cornstarch: Thickens the homemade cranberry jam so it isn’t too runny.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors — even sweet ones need a little salt.
Ground cinnamon: Adds subtle warmth and autumn vibes to the jam.
All-purpose flour: For dusting your surface to roll out the puff pastry smoothly.
Frozen puff pastry sheet: Thawed before use; this flaky layer is what makes the brie look and feel special.
Brie wheel (8 oz.): The star of the show! Room temperature brie is easier to wrap and melts beautifully.
Egg: Whisked for brushing the pastry to get that gorgeous golden crust.
Turbinado sugar: Sprinkled on top for a slight crunch and sparkle.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe is super adaptable, so I often tweak it depending on what I have on hand or the season. Feel free to experiment with different add-ins or tweaks to make it your own — it’s so forgiving!

Nutty Upgrade: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts right on top before baking gives a lovely crunch — my family can’t get enough of this twist.
Herbal Flair: Throwing in fresh rosemary or thyme with the cranberry jam adds an aromatic edge I totally adore during winter months.
Diet-Friendly: Swap out puff pastry for phyllo dough for a lighter option, or try a dairy-free cheese alternative if needed.
Fruit Variety: Mix in dried cranberries or even fresh figs with the jam for a unique texture and flavor combo I discovered last year at a family brunch.

How to Make Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe

Step 1: Make the Maple Cranberry Jam

Start by warming cranberries, sugar, maple syrup, orange zest, and orange juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Use the back of a spoon to smash the cranberries as they soften; this helps release their juices and thickens the jam. Stir in cornstarch for that silky, jammy texture, then finish with cinnamon and a pinch of salt for balance. Once thickened (usually about 4-6 minutes), remove from heat and let it cool — trust me, making this jam yourself tastes way better than store-bought!

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Sprinkle your work surface lightly with flour and gently roll out the thawed puff pastry into a 10-inch square. This little bit of rolling makes it easier to wrap and creates an even layer. Transfer the pastry onto a parchment-lined baking sheet so cleanup is easy.

Step 3: Assemble the Baked Brie

Place the whole wheel of brie right in the center of your pastry square, then spread a generous amount of the cooled maple cranberry jam over the top — this is where that homemade jam really shines! Fold each of the four corners of the pastry about half an inch toward the center, then gently drape them up and over the cheese. The dough will mostly cover the brie but with little gaps, which is perfectly fine — this allows the brie to melt and the jam to peek through.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Sugar Sprinkle

Brush the entire pastry with the beaten egg — this step is key for that golden, glossy finish you want. Then, sprinkle turbinado sugar all over the surface to add a subtle crunch and shimmer once baked. This little touch makes the presentation extra special.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Bake in a 425°F oven for about 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on the pastry’s color; if it’s browning too quickly, tent a piece of foil lightly over the top. You’ll know it’s ready when the pastry is a lovely golden brown and the brie inside is oozing — it smells heavenly at this point. When it’s out of the oven, I like to drizzle a little extra maple syrup on top for that extra maple kick.

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Pro Tips for Making Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe

Let the Jam Cool Completely: I learned the hard way that spreading warm jam on pastry makes it soggy—cool it before assembling for a flakier crust.
Room Temperature Brie Works Best: Cold brie is tough to wrap and uneven to bake; take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start.
Don’t Overstretch the Puff Pastry: Keep your rolling gentle so the dough stays fluffy and rises beautifully in the oven.
Watch the Bake Time Closely: Puff pastry can go from golden to burnt fast—set a timer and check a few minutes before the end.

How to Serve Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe

The image shows a round baked dish with four thick triangular layers of golden-brown flaky pastry, each sprinkled with coarse sugar on top. The triangles fold inward, revealing a bright red, chunky berry filling beneath, which looks juicy and rich in texture. There is a creamy off-white layer peeking from under the pastry on two corners, with some melted cheese oozing out slightly. The dish is surrounded by light tan square crackers, some drizzled with honey or syrup. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Maple Cranberry Baked Brie, holiday appetizer with baked brie, easy festive appetizer recipes, cranberry baked brie pastry, holiday cheese appetizer

Garnishes

I love adding fresh rosemary sprigs on top right before serving—it adds a pop of green and a lovely herbal scent. A few whole cranberries scattered around the platter also make it look super festive and inviting. Plus, a light drizzle of extra maple syrup isn’t just pretty; it adds another layer of sweetness that guests adore.

Side Dishes

This baked brie pairs wonderfully with crunchy sliced baguette or buttery crackers. I’ve also served it alongside some spiced nuts and fresh apple slices, which add texture and a fresh contrast to the rich cheese and sweet topping—you’ll find this combo irresistible!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to place the baked brie on a wooden board with a ring of fresh cranberries, sprigs of thyme, and little bowls of assorted nuts and honey nearby. It makes for a gorgeous centerpiece that invites guests to dig in. Another fun idea I discovered is serving individual mini bries wrapped in puff pastry with a smaller dollop of the cinnamon-maple cranberry jam—perfect for bite-sized party snacks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), wrap the baked brie tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and refrigerate. I’ve found it keeps well for up to 3 days, though the pastry might soften a bit over time.

Freezing

While I don’t usually freeze the fully baked dish, I have frozen the assembled but unbaked wrapped brie. Just place it on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then wrap it well and freeze for up to a month. When you want to bake it, just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the baked brie in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese softens again. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make the pastry soggy. This method helps keep that flaky texture and creamy center.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of brie?

You can definitely experiment with other soft cheeses like camembert or a triple-cream cheese, but brie’s flavor and melting quality work best for this recipe. Firmer cheeses won’t melt the same way, and the texture won’t be as creamy.
How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure your cranberry-maple jam is completely cooled before spreading it on the pastry. Also, don’t overfill the brie with jam, and baking at a high temperature helps keep the pastry crisp.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the maple cranberry jam a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble the brie with jam shortly before baking for the best texture and flavor.
What should I serve with Maple Cranberry Baked Brie?

It’s perfect with sliced baguettes, crackers, fresh fruit like apples or pears, and nuts. A simple green salad or charcuterie board pairs beautifully for a complete appetizer spread.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe enough—it’s one of those dishes that brings people together and gets everyone talking. Every time I make it, friends ask for the recipe and I love watching their faces light up when they take that first gooey, sweet-tart bite. Give it a try for your next get-together or quiet night in; you’ll be so glad you did!