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Baked Brie in a Rustic Bread Bowl with Cranberry and Thyme Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 97 reviews

Indulge in this delicious Baked Brie in Bread Bowl recipe that combines creamy melted brie with a rustic bread boule, enhanced by tangy whole berry cranberry sauce and fresh thyme. Perfect as a warm appetizer or party centerpiece, this easy baked dish offers pull-apart bread pieces ideal for dipping into luscious melted cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bread Bowl

  • 1 round loaf of rustic bread (bread boule)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided

For the Filling

  • 1 wheel of brie (about 12 ounces, triple cream recommended)
  • 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bread bowl and melting the brie to perfection.
  2. Prepare the Bread: Slice off the top quarter of the bread loaf and set it aside. Place the brie wheel in the center of the bread to trace a circle. Use a knife to cut out the middle of the bread, creating a hollow where the brie will sit. Remove the bread from the center, leaving about a 1-inch thick wall. Keep the removed bread pieces for dipping later.
  3. Cut the Bread for Dipping: Around the edge of the bread, make vertical cuts about 1.5 inches apart, going three-quarters of the way down without cutting through the bottom. This will create easy pull-apart pieces for dipping once the bread is baked.
  4. Season the Bread: Brush the inside of the bread bowl and the edges of the bread with olive oil. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle half of the fresh thyme leaves inside the hollowed bread for added flavor.
  5. Add the Brie and Cranberry Sauce: Place the brie wheel into the hollowed-out center of the bread. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the brie and sprinkle the remaining thyme leaves on top.
  6. Bake the Brie: Replace the top of the bread loaf. Place the bread bowl on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper to catch any melted brie that might ooze out. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the brie is melted and the bread is crispy and warm.
  7. Serve: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Remove the top of the bread loaf to reveal the melted brie inside. For extra dipping options, toast the removed bread pieces until golden and serve them alongside the bread bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a triple cream brie for extra creaminess and richer flavor.
  • Keep the bread pieces removed from the center to toast and serve as dippers.
  • If desired, substitute cranberry sauce with fig jam or apricot preserves for different flavor profiles.
  • Ensure the bread boule is sturdy enough to hold the brie and cranberry sauce without collapsing.
  • Let the baked brie cool slightly to avoid burning your mouth when dipping.

Keywords: baked brie, bread bowl, cranberry sauce, appetizer, party food, melted cheese, comfort food

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/baked-brie-in-a-rustic-bread-bowl-with-cranberry-and-thyme-recipe/