Description

This Baked Brie in Bread Bowl with Cranberry Sauce and Thyme is a delightful appetizer perfect for gatherings and festive occasions. Creamy melted brie is nestled inside a rustic bread boule, topped with tangy cranberry sauce and fragrant fresh thyme, then baked until warm and gooey. The crusty scored bread edges make for perfect dippers, creating a deliciously shareable dish that combines the savory richness of cheese with bright fruit and herb flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 round loaf of rustic bread boule
1 wheel of brie (about 12 ounces), top rind removed
½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
Prepare the bread bowl: Cut the top quarter off the bread loaf. Use the brie wheel to trace a circle on the cut surface, then carefully hollow out the center of the bread inside the traced circle, creating a bowl large enough to hold the brie.
Score the bread edges: Score the outer ring of bread into approximately 1.5-inch sections, slicing about three-quarters of the way down to create pull-apart pieces.
Season the bread bowl: Brush the inside of the hollowed bread bowl with olive oil, then season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and half of the fresh thyme leaves for extra aroma and flavor.
Assemble with brie and cranberry sauce: Place the brie wheel in the hollowed center of the bread bowl. Spread the whole berry cranberry sauce evenly over the top of the brie. Sprinkle the remaining thyme leaves over the cranberry sauce.
Bake the assembled bread bowl: Place the cut-off bread lid back on top of the boule. Bake on the prepared baking sheet for 20 minutes or until the brie has melted completely and is gooey inside.
Serve warm: Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot, using the scored bread edges and the hollowed-out bread for dipping into the melted brie and cranberry mixture.

Notes

For best results, use a firm rustic bread boule that can hold its shape well during baking.
Removing the top rind of the brie helps it melt more evenly and speeds up baking time.
Fresh thyme adds a fragrant herbal aroma but can be substituted with rosemary or sage for a different flavor profile.
This dish is best enjoyed immediately when the cheese is warm and gooey.
Leftover baked bread and cheese can be reheated gently in the oven but won’t be as fresh.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked brie, bread bowl, cranberry sauce, thyme, appetizer, cheese dip, party food, holiday recipe