Festive Cranberry

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Festive Cranberry-Orange Brie Tear-Apart Holiday Loaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 15–20 minutes
Serves: 8–10
Difficulty: Easy

⭐ Ingredients

  • 1 large artisan sourdough loaf
  • 10 oz Brie cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup cranberry-orange sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional but delicious)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Pinch of sea salt

🎄 Instructions

1. Prep the Loaf

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sourdough loaf on a cutting board.
  3. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut a crosshatch grid into the loaf — making deep cuts without slicing all the way through.
  4. Gently pull apart the sections to open up pockets for filling.

2. Stuff with Brie + Sauce

  1. Tuck cubes of Brie into the cuts throughout the loaf, spacing evenly.
  2. Spoon the cranberry-orange sauce into the cuts as well — don’t be shy, the more pockets filled, the better!

3. Add Flavor

  1. Mix melted butter with honey and chopped thyme/rosemary.
  2. Drizzle the mixture all over the loaf, letting it seep into the cracks.
  3. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top.

4. Bake Until Melty + Golden

  1. Wrap the loaf loosely in foil (to prevent burning).
  2. Bake for 15 minutes, then open the foil and bake 5 more minutes to crisp the top.
  3. Remove when the Brie is fully melted and the edges are golden.

5. Serve Warm

Place the loaf on a platter, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve immediately.
Guests simply pull pieces apart — gooey cheese, bright cranberry citrus, and buttery bread in every bite.

💡 Tips & Variations

  • Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts inside the loaf for crunch.
  • Swap cheese: Camembert works beautifully if you prefer stronger flavor.
  • Make ahead: Prep the loaf up to 4 hours in advance; bake just before serving.
  • Extra festive: Add orange zest on top after baking.

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