Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing dish that brings a burst of festive flavor and irresistible gooeyness, this Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine tender, buttery dough pockets filled with creamy Brie, layered with bright, tangy cranberry sauce, and fragrant herbs that evoke all the holiday cheer. It’s perfect for sharing, impressive yet simple to make, and a guaranteed conversation starter at any party or family gathering. Once you try it, it might just become your new go-to holiday treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients is the first step to creating an unforgettable festive bread. Each element brings something special: the chilled biscuit dough provides the soft, pillowy base, while Brie adds rich creaminess, and the cranberry sauce lends vibrant sweetness and a touch of tartness. Fresh herbs tie it all together with their aromatic charm.

• Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for preventing the bread from sticking to your Bundt pan, ensuring a flawless release.
• 2 (16-oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough: Ready-to-use dough that creates light, fluffy layers perfect for pull-apart servings.
• 1 lb rind-on Brie, cut into 1-inch cubes: Its creamy texture and mild flavor melt deliciously inside dough pockets.
• 1 tsp coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves: Adds a subtle earthiness to balance out the richness.
• 1 tsp coarsely chopped fresh rosemary: Offers a fragrant, pine-like note that enhances the holiday vibe.
• 1 (14-oz) can whole-berry cranberry sauce: Provides a beautiful jewel-toned sweetness and a hint of tartness that makes each bite delightful.

How to Make Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s perfectly hot by the time your bread is assembled. Generously coat a 10-cup Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray — this is the crucial step that will help the bread come out cleanly without sticking. Open one can of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate it into individual biscuits. Tear each biscuit in half and flatten each piece in your palm, creating a little dough disk ready to hold the cheese.

Step 2: Stuff the Dough with Brie

Place a 1-inch cube of Brie in the center of each flattened dough piece. Gently pinch the dough edges around the cheese, sealing it to create a neat, little cheese-filled ball. This step might require a bit of care to ensure the cheese won’t leak out during baking, but the effort is so worth it! Continue until all the dough and cheese cubes are used up.

Step 3: Layer the Ingredients in the Bundt Pan

Now comes the fun part. Arrange a layer of these Brie-filled dough balls evenly at the bottom of the Bundt pan. Sprinkle about one-third of your chopped fresh thyme and rosemary evenly over this first layer. Then, spread one-third of the whole-berry cranberry sauce gently over the herbs and dough balls. Repeat the layering two more times, finishing the top with a generous layer of cranberry sauce that will bubble and caramelize beautifully as it bakes.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Place the Bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. You’re looking for the dough to turn a stunning golden brown with the cranberry sauce bubbling enticingly on top. This is when your kitchen will fill with incredible inviting aromas of melted cheese, fresh herbs, and sweet cranberries—a true holiday tease! Once done, transfer the pan to a wire rack and let it cool for about 10 minutes before unmolding.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Invert the pan onto a serving plate carefully, and watch as a magnificent pull-apart bread emerges, studded with pockets of savory Brie and bursts of cranberry. Serve warm for the best gooey experience that will keep everyone coming back for more.

How to Serve Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Garnishes

For added flair, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and rosemary sprigs over the top just before serving. Not only does this boost color, but it also restores some of that fresh herb scent lost during baking. A light drizzle of honey over the top adds a subtle sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with the tart cranberries and creamy Brie.

Side Dishes

This pull-apart bread pairs beautifully with charcuterie boards, featuring assorted cured meats, nuts, and dried fruits. For a lighter accompaniment, a crisp mixed green salad with a citrus vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the cheese and dough for balance. Warm soups, especially butternut squash or roasted tomato, also make fantastic companions for a cozy meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try assembling the bread in mini Bundt pans or muffin tins for individual servings at a party — guests will love grabbing a personal-sized pull-apart portion. Alternatively, serve it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh herbs and whole cranberries for a festive centerpiece that invites everyone to dig in. For holiday gatherings, wrap each serving with a sprig of rosemary and festive ribbon for a charming touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Because of the cheese, it’s best enjoyed within this time frame to maintain freshness and texture.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to one month. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To revive the bread’s delightful texture and melty cheese, reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. This will warm the cranberry sauce and soften the bread without drying it out—no microwave here, please! The result is almost as good as fresh-baked.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Brie?

Absolutely! While Brie offers that perfect creamy melt and mild flavor, you can experiment with Camembert or even a mild goat cheese. Just make sure the cheese melts well to get that gooey pull-apart effect.

Is fresh cranberry sauce necessary, or can I substitute canned?

The recipe calls for whole-berry canned cranberry sauce because it’s sweet, tangy, and easy to spread. Homemade cranberry sauce works too if it has a similar consistency. Just avoid sauces that are too runny or overly chunky to keep the layering intact.

Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you find gluten-free biscuit dough that holds together well and behaves similarly to the original recipe, this dish can be made gluten-free. Keep in mind texture and rise might differ slightly depending on the dough choice.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs? Can I use dried ones?

Fresh thyme and rosemary add brightness and aroma that dried herbs can’t fully replicate. If you only have dried, use about half the amount and sprinkle them mixed into the layers instead of on top so they hydrate during baking.

How long does the bread stay fresh after baking?

This Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe is best enjoyed the day it is baked, while the cheese is melty and fresh. However, storing leftovers properly will keep it tasty for up to two days.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and joy this Easy Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Recipe brings to your holiday table. It’s a simple yet show-stopping dish that combines flavors and textures perfectly, inviting everyone to gather, share, and savor each pull-apart piece bursting with festive spirit. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever celebrated the holidays without it!

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