Baked Brie with Puff Pastry, Cranberry-Pepper Jelly, and Pecans
A gooey wheel of brie, sweet-and-spicy cranberry-pepper jelly, and candied pecans all wrapped in golden puff pastry—this showstopper appetizer is perfect for holidays, parties, or cozy nights in.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Baked Brie:
- 1 wheel of brie (about 8 oz), rind on
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup whole pecans
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
For the Cranberry-Pepper Jelly Sauce:
- ¾ cup fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup red pepper jelly
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice or water
👩🍳 Directions
1. Prep the Puff Pastry & Brie
- Thaw puff pastry according to package (about 20–30 minutes).
- Freeze the brie wheel for 20 minutes to make slicing easier.
2. Make the Cranberry-Pepper Jelly Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine:
- ¾ cup cranberries
- ¼ cup red pepper jelly
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice or water
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
- Let cool to room temp (you can refrigerate it to speed this up).
3. Candy the Pecans
- Melt 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp brown sugar in a skillet.
- Add ⅓ cup whole pecans and stir for 2–3 minutes until toasted and glossy.
- Transfer to parchment to cool, then roughly chop.
4. Assemble the Brie
- Remove chilled brie from freezer and slice horizontally into two equal halves.
- On the bottom half, sprinkle:
- Chopped cranberries
- Chopped candied pecans
- Spoon over a generous layer of cranberry-pepper jelly sauce.
- Replace the top half of brie, cut side down.
5. Wrap in Puff Pastry
- Roll the puff pastry into an 11×11″ square on a lightly floured surface.
- Place the stuffed brie in the center.
- Brush edges with egg wash and fold the pastry over the brie to seal.
- Flip the wrapped brie so seams are on the bottom. Add decorative pastry cutouts if desired.
- Brush entire pastry with egg wash.
6. Freeze Then Bake
- Freeze wrapped brie for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the brie on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until pastry is golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with:
- Sliced baguette
- Crackers
- Apple slices or grapes
- Extra cranberry jelly or honey on the side
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble it completely and freeze for up to 24 hours. Bake straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
Q: Do I have to cut the brie in half?
A: No, but slicing it allows you to add the filling inside the cheese, making it extra flavorful. If you prefer not to, just spread everything on top and wrap.
Q: What can I use instead of red pepper jelly?
A: You can use sweet chili sauce, apricot preserves with a dash of hot sauce, or plain cranberry sauce for a non-spicy version.
Q: What if I don’t have pineapple juice?
A: Water works fine—pineapple juice just adds extra sweetness and acidity.
Q: Can I use a different nut?
A: Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts would work great.
Q: What wine pairs best with this?
A: Try sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay. For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling apple cider or cranberry juice is perfect.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: Place in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes. The pastry will crisp up again and the cheese will melt beautifully.
📣 Call to Action
Loved this recipe?
Share it with your friends, pin it for your next gathering, and subscribe to our blog for more irresistible appetizers and entertaining tips. This Baked Brie is just the beginning—your party just got an upgrade! 💫