Baked Brie with Fig Jam & Cranberries – An Easy & Elegant Appetizer Recipe
This easy baked brie with fig jam is one of those recipes that looks fancy — but couldn’t be simpler. It’s the perfect appetizer for the holidays, a cozy night in, or any time you want something special without much effort.
A wheel of creamy brie is topped with sweet fig jam, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and a touch of orange zest, then baked until it’s melty and irresistible. Serve it with crackers, toasted baguette slices, and fresh fruit for an elegant crowd-pleaser everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Just a few simple ingredients — no fuss, no long prep time.
- Looks beautiful on a holiday cheese board or charcuterie spread.
- You can prep it ahead and pop it in the oven when guests arrive.
- Easy to customize with different jams, nuts, and toppings.
Ingredients
(Scroll below for the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and baking instructions.)
- Brie cheese wheel
- Fig jam or fig spread
- Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- Dried cranberries
- Fresh orange zest
Instructions for this easy brie recipe
(Scroll to the bottom of the post for the exact instructions in the recipe card.
1.Trim off the top rind of the brie wheel & place on parchment lined pan. 2.Spread with fig jam. 3.Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
4.Top with cranberries 5.Bake at 350 for 20 minutes 6.Slide onto serving tray & serve.
Serve with toasted baguettes or crackers and a variety of fresh fruit. Grapes are delicious with this flavor combination.
Tips & Tricks
- I find the easiest and best way to trim off the top rind of brie cheese is to freeze the brie first. It’s easy to handle when it’s frozen solid. If you don’t have time to freeze it, another method is to lightly score the brie rind in a grid pattern with a sharp knife. (But, be careful not to cut the sides off the wheel!)
- Bake on a sheet of parchment paper and transfer the hot melting brie right onto the serving platter by sliding the parchment paper on it.
- Brie cheese lasts a long time in the freezer, so you can always have some on hand for unexpected guests.
- Use a wooden cutting board as a serving dish and arrange toasted baguette slices, delicious crackers and fresh fruits around it to make a beautiful charcuterrie board display.
- Fig jam may be tricky to find in your grocery store. I found mine near the deli section around holiday time.
Substitutions & Variations for Baked Brie Toppings
For a more rustic serving presentation, bake and serve this brie recipe in a small iron skillet.
Switch up the varieties and flavors by using different jams, toppings, and fresh herbs. Some other baked brie topping options are:
- Strawberry jam, toasted almonds, & fresh rosemary
- Maple syrup and bacon bits
- Red pepper jelly & toasted pecans
- Sauted apples and caramel sauce
Some people like to go an extra step and cover the jam covered brie cheese in phyllo dough before baking.
Make this Baked Brie Recipe Ahead for Easy Entertaining
You can prep this appetizer recipe before guests arrive, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to put it in the oven and warm it up. Prepare the serving board ahead of time with the other items, and then slide the warm baked brie on when it’s warm.
Want Grandma Rita’s Help in your Holiday Kitchen?
Do you ever wish you could have a Grandma in your kitchen to help with the holiday dinner? Well, I’m here for you! I put together a holiday dinner guide that has 29 classic holiday recipes plus lots of helpful tips & tricks I’ve gathered over the 35 years I’ve made turkey dinners– perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Grab yourself and copy and enjoy a helping hand!
Equipment
This baked brie recipe doesn’t require any special equipment. I used my favorite small stoneware bar pan (I got mine from Pampered Chef years ago!)
(Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kitchen tools!)
Other Party Appetizer Ideas:
- Bacon wrapped stuffing balls with cranberry sauce
- Christmas tree charcuterie board veggie platter
- Christmas cookies charcuterie board
Pin this recipe to remember it later
Pin this recipe on your Pinterest holiday appetizers board to have handy when you need a quick and easy idea!
Baked Brie with Fig Jam & Craisens Recipe
A simple wheel of brie cheese topped with sweet fig jam, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and orange zest is baked until the melted brie becomes hot & gooey – perfect for spreading on crackers or baguettes. It's a great appetizer recipe for the holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1- 8 ounce round of brie cheese
- 2 Tablespoons of fig jam spread – or more if you want!
- 1 Tablespoon chopped nuts – pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- 1 Tablespoon dried cranberries (I used Craisens)
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, carefully trim the white rind off the top of the brie wheel. I find the easiest and best way to do this is to freeze the brie first. It’s easy to handle when it’s frozen solid. If you don’t have time to freeze it, another method is to lightly score the brie rind in a grid pattern with a sharp knife. (But, be careful not to cut the sides off the wheel!)
- Tear a piece of parchment paper so it is larger than the brie wheel and place it on the bottom a a baking pan. Set the brie wheel on top of it. Then layer it with:
- 2 generous tablespoons of fig jam spread
- A generous sprinkle of chopped nuts
- 1 or 2 tablespoons craisens (dried cranberries)
- A sprinkle of finely grated orange zest.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until the brie starts melting down the sides. (If the brie starts out frozen, it will require more baking time.)
- To serve, slide the parchment paper with the brie on it right onto the cheese platter or charcuterie board.
- Serve with toasted baguettes or crackers and a variety of fresh fruit. Grapes are delicious with this flavor combination.
I just tried the baked brie with fig jam and cranberries recipe, and it was a game changer for my family gatherings! It reminded me of holiday parties from my childhood where everyone would gather around the appetizer table. Your blog captures that warmth beautifully. I appreciate how you mentioned balancing flavors; I added some chopped walnuts for an extra crunch, which elevated it even more!
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between simple and elegant. I love how a few easy ingredients come together to create such a warm, festive appetizer. The combination of brie, fig jam, cranberries, and orange zest feels cozy, flavorful, and ideal for entertaining.
The Recipe you share is absolutely fine.
What a simple and beautiful appetizer, Rita! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party. Thank you so much for sharing!
This recipe looks absolutely amazing, Rita! I’m saving this for Thanksgiving, for sure. Thanks for sharing!