Golden Cranberry & Brie Crostini Recipe: A Charming Holiday Bite

Crispy bread meets creamy brie and tangy cranberry in a delightful holiday appetizer that never fails to impress.

Rustic slices of baguette provide the perfect canvas for this elegant bite-sized treat.

Melted cheese cascades over toasted edges, creating a luxurious texture that beckons you to indulge.

Seasonal ingredients combine in a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft brie melts into golden-brown bread, while tart cranberries add a vibrant punch of brightness.

Winter gatherings call for simple yet sophisticated snacks that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Whip up these irresistible crostini and watch them disappear within moments.

Why Cranberry and Brie Crostini Is a Perfect Starter

• Quick Prep Magic: Whip up these elegant crostini in just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining or spontaneous appetizer cravings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Combines creamy brie, crispy bread, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and aromatic herbs that appeal to different taste preferences, ensuring everyone at the party enjoys a bite.
• Versatile Holiday Hero: Ideal for festive gatherings like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Eve celebrations, transforming simple ingredients into a sophisticated and delicious appetizer that looks professionally prepared.
• Stress-Free Sophistication: Requires minimal cooking skills, uses basic kitchen tools, and allows for easy advance preparation, making it a foolproof recipe for home cooks of all experience levels.

Cranberry Brie Crostini Essentials

• Baguette: Classic French bread that provides a crisp, crunchy foundation for the crostini, best when sliced thinly and evenly.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crisp texture when brushing on bread slices, enhances flavor and prevents dryness.

• Brie: Soft, creamy French cheese that melts beautifully, creating a rich and luxurious layer on the crostini.

• Cranberry Sauce: Tart and sweet condiment that adds vibrant flavor and festive color to the appetizer, homemade or store-bought works well.
• Honey: Optional sweet drizzle that balances the tartness of cranberry and richness of brie, use high-quality local honey for best flavor.

• Fresh Rosemary, Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herbs that provide a subtle earthy note and elegant visual appeal, choose bright green and fragrant sprigs.

Brie Crostini with Cranberries Appetizer Prep

Step 1: Slice and Toast Bread

Grab a fresh baguette and cut it into thin diagonal slices.

Spread the slices on a baking sheet and generously brush each piece with olive oil.

Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the surface becomes wonderfully crisp.

Step 2: Layer Creamy Brie

Take a slice of soft, rich brie and place it carefully on top of each toasted baguette piece.

Return the baking sheet to the oven for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to become wonderfully melty and slightly gooey.

Step 3: Add Tangy Cranberry Topping

Remove the crostini from the oven and crown each slice with a generous spoonful of vibrant cranberry sauce.

The bright red color will create a beautiful contrast against the golden bread and creamy cheese.

Step 4: Elevate with Sweet and Herbal Notes

Drizzle a delicate stream of honey over the crostini for a touch of sweetness.

Sprinkle freshly chopped rosemary or thyme to add an aromatic herbal dimension that will make your appetizer truly special.

Step 5: Present and Enjoy

Arrange the finished crostini on an elegant serving platter.

Serve these delightful bites immediately while they’re warm and the cheese is still soft, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a luxurious snack.

Brie Crostini Tips with Cranberries

• Choose a fresh, crusty baguette with a good structure to ensure crispy, sturdy crostini that won't get soggy under the cheese and sauce.
• Cut baguette slices uniformly, about 1/2-inch thick, to guarantee even toasting and consistent texture across all crostini.
• Remove brie from refrigerator 30 minutes before preparing to allow it to soften slightly, which helps achieve that perfect melty consistency.
• Use fresh rosemary or thyme directly from the stem for maximum flavor and aromatic impact – dried herbs won't provide the same vibrant taste.
• Experiment with homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce, and consider adding orange zest or a splash of port wine for deeper flavor complexity.

Store Cranberry Brie Crostini Safely

• Store leftover crostini in an airtight container for up to 2 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Warm crostini at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness and help brie melt slightly.
• Skip microwaving, as it will make bread soggy and cause brie to become rubbery.
• Best enjoyed immediately after preparation for optimal texture and flavor.

Best Matches for Cranberry and Brie Crostini

• Pair with Sparkling White Wine: Crisp Prosecco or Champagne cuts through the creamy brie and complements the sweet-tart cranberry sauce, creating a delightful flavor balance.
• Serve with Autumn Salad: Create a light mixed greens salad with walnuts and a citrus vinaigrette to enhance the crostini's rich and tangy profile.
• Match with Light Charcuterie: Include prosciutto or salami to add a savory contrast that elevates the appetizer's delicate flavors.
• Complement with Apple Cider: Warm or chilled apple cider brings out the herbal notes of rosemary and thyme while harmonizing with the honey and cranberry sweetness.

Brie Crostini With Sweet Or Savory Changes

• Gluten-Free Crostini: Replace baguette with gluten-free bread or rice crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap brie with plant-based cheese like almond or cashew cheese, use maple syrup instead of honey, and select dairy-free cranberry sauce.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute bread with cucumber rounds or zucchini slices for a lighter, vegetable-based appetizer.
• Spicy Version: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili-infused honey to create a zesty flavor profile.

FAQs

• What type of bread works best for this recipe?

Baguette is ideal due to its crisp texture and ability to hold toppings well. Slice it thinly and evenly for the perfect crostini base.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Partially. Toast the bread slices in advance, but add brie and toppings right before serving to maintain crispness and prevent soggy crostini.

• Is there a dairy-free alternative for brie?

Yes, use dairy-free cheese alternatives like vegan brie or cashew-based cheese to make this recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

• How do I prevent the brie from becoming too runny?

Bake the brie for only 2-3 minutes, just until it starts to soften. Avoid overheating, which can cause it to completely melt and lose its structure.

Cranberry and Brie Crostini Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive cranberry and brie crostini bring elegant French-inspired flavors to holiday appetizers. Crisp baguette slices topped with creamy brie and tangy cranberry sauce create a perfect bite you’ll savor at any gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced into 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) thick rounds
• 8 ounces (226 grams) brie cheese, sliced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Herbs and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, finely chopped

Oils and Optional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey (optional)

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Instructions

1. Crisp the baguette slices by positioning them on a baking sheet and generously coating with olive oil, then toast in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven until they transform into golden, crunchy platforms.
2. Layer each toasted slice with a delicate portion of creamy brie cheese, returning to the oven briefly to coax the cheese into a luxuriously melted state without completely liquefying.
3. Crown the softened brie with a vibrant spoonful of tangy cranberry sauce, allowing the rich crimson spread to contrast beautifully against the pale cheese.
4. Enhance the flavor profile by delicately drizzling golden honey across the crostini, then scatter finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to introduce an aromatic herbaceous dimension.
5. Transfer the elegant appetizers to an inviting serving platter, ensuring they are positioned attractively and presented while still warm and at peak deliciousness.

Notes

• Toast bread slices slightly longer for extra crunch and sturdier base that holds toppings perfectly.
• Choose soft, creamy brie at room temperature to ensure smooth, even melting without burning.
• Swap cranberry sauce with homemade compote or fig jam for unique flavor variations.
• Experiment with gluten-free baguette or sourdough bread for alternative dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg