Baked Brie with Fig Jam & Cranberries – An Easy & Elegant Appetizer Recipe
This easy & delicious recipe is the perfect easy appetizer for the holiday season or any party. It’s so simple, but tastes so sophisticated!
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. Served on a cheese board alongside fresh fruit and crackers, it’s an elegant crowd pleaser.
I used to dread thinking up appetizer ideas for parties or get togethers. But, now I have a few quick and easy ones. This baked brie is so incredibly quick to put together, and yet tastes really special.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- This baked brie recipe is out of this world delicious. Spread over a baguete cracker and topped with a grape, it’s perfection in a bite!
- This recipe is so quick and easy to make, and can be prepared ahead of time. You can always be ready for a quick appetizer by just sticking a wheel of brie cheese in the freezer and a jar of fig spread in the pantry.
- This recipe can be adapted with different flavors and toppings to suite the time of year and season you are entertaining. Use a different type of jam and other toppings and you can turn it into a whole new flavor experience.
Ingredients
(For your convenience, a printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this post.)
- 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 for this easy brie recipe
- 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 20 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.
Tips & Tricks
- 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 this Easy Holiday Appetizer
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.
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:
My friend Shirley says this goat cheese log recipe is out of this world delicious!
If you like spicy flavors, check out this healthy buffalo chicken dip. People go crazy for it!
Here is a superb list of over 175 appetizers if you are stuck knowing what to make for the next party!
And here’s another fun idea for parties:
PIN THIS RECIPE TO REMEMBER IT LATER:
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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.
This recipe looks absolutely amazing, Rita! I’m saving this for Thanksgiving, for sure. Thanks for sharing!
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!