3-Ingredient Appetizer: Festive Holiday Brie

I love appetizers. In fact, sometimes I think we should just make more of those and ditch all of the other courses. So imagine my delight when I was assigned appetizers for our Thanksgiving festivities this year! I had been collecting some recipe ideas that inspired me, and I decided to try one of them out on the poor, unsuspecting souls at my Aunt Jean and Uncle John’s house. I have to say it was both simple and delicious – two of my favorite things. Plus, it looks really fancy with very little work – which totally ups the awesomeness in my book!

Festive Holiday Brie with Cranberry, Pomegranate and Walnuts

8 oz. wheel of brie
3/8 cup Cranberry Pomegranate Preserves
3/8 cup walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut the top rind off the brie. Top with Cranberry Pomegranate Preserves, followed by the walnuts. Bake about 10-15 minutes or until brie is soft and melty. Serve with water crackers. Makes 5-6 appetizer servings.

Testing Notes:

• Cutting the top off the brie was a bit futzy. It came off in little shreds, even though I tried various knives. If I had cut a thicker layer it might have been quicker, but I’m the daughter of a woman who has “waste not, want not” embroidered on pillows, so I just kept shaving thin layers off until the top was gone. It worked out fine.
• I realize 3/8 cup is a weird measurement (sorry!). But you need more than ¼ cup and ½ cup is too much. Honestly, don’t even measure … just top the brie with as much of the preserves and walnuts as it will reasonably hold. Don’t skimp!
• I quickly toasted the walnuts in a non-stick pan before I topped the brie. It isn’t necessary, but they are yummy toasted … and the cook gets to eat anything that doesn’t fit on the brie (it’s a rule), so to me, it was worth the extra step. (Just toss the walnuts into the pan over medium heat. Flick them around a little until lightly toasted. Pay attention … they burn fast if you aren’t watching!)
• I wanted to bake this in a cute little ceramic gratin or chafing dish, but sadly I don’t have one. So I hunted and pecked through my baking stuff and wound up baking it on a tray. Then I transferred it to a pretty plate, which worked just as well.
• Honestly – this was fab. Everybody* loved it! I actually preferred it after it had been out of the oven for 10-15 minutes or so – it kind of mellowed a little bit.

*Mostly everybody. Brie isn’t very kid-friendly … which leaves more for the adults!

Bonus Recipe: In Case You Have Any Leftovers!

Make a sandwich with turkey, 2 strips of bacon, avocado slices and a healthy schmear of the brie/preserves mixture. I added a little more Cranberry Pomegranate Preserves on top of the brie on the sandwich. In the spirit of the season … O Holy Night, this was good! It would be worth baking Festive Holiday Brie just to make these sammies!



So as you search for recipes this holiday season, consider putting Festive Holiday Brie on your list, and be sure to send me your other awesome appetizer ideas!

j*a*N*e

Print Recipe