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This Caramel Nut and Cranberry Brie Appetizer is the perfect combination of oozing, creamy cheese, sweet fruit, and crunchy pecan topping. Best of all, the crowd-pleasing dish is ready after just 1 minute in your microwave!
That’s right, friends. One minute in your microwave and this beautiful, festive cheese spread is ready to serve! Sound too good to be true? Almost.
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I first served this appetizer at our family Thanksgiving dinner back in 2008. That’s before I had any kids, definitely before blogging was even an idea in my little brain, and long before I considered myself comfortable in the kitchen. I had seen a similar recipe in a Taste of Home holiday magazine, and I decided that the salty-sweet combination of the cheese with the caramel sauce would probably taste pretty darn good.
I also have a special association with Brie cheese, since it’s the appetizer that my grandmother always served when she hosted a meal. Holidays or otherwise, we could count on a round of Brie and those classic Carr’s Table Water Crackers, which my mom still buys! It just seems appropriate to serve Brie rounds in honor of my grandmother — especially during the holidays.
Since I’ve been making a version of this particular recipe for the past 8 years, I figured that probably means that it’s good enough to share with all of you! And it doesn’t hurt that there is absolutely ZERO “cooking” involved. Throw together a handful of store-bought ingredients, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds, and you’re suddenly The Hostess with the Mostest.
Feel free to serve your cheese with Carr’s Table Water Crackers a la my grandmother. I, however, prefer a fresh baguette!
Cheers to the holidays, simple recipes, fond memories of our family members, and very little stress in the kitchen!
Caramel Nut and Cranberry Brie Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 round 8 ounces Brie cheese
- 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Crackers or sliced French bread baguette for serving
Instructions
- Place Brie in a microwave-safe dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine caramel sauce, cranberries, and pecans. Spread over Brie.
- Microwave, uncovered, on high for 60-90 seconds or until cheese is heated through and slightly melted.
- Serve with crackers and baguette.
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
Looking for other easy appetizers to serve this holiday season? Check out these favorites:
Aunt Bee’s Spinach and Cheese Squares
Seasonally beautiful and delicious to boot! What a wonderful holiday party idea!
Thanks, Dan! 🙂
Wow that looks soooo good!!
Thanks! It is! 🙂
Wow I just want to reach through the screen and eat the whole thing! Thanks for sharing this with us at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Emily!
Brie is one of my favorite appetizers! Your recipe looks fabulous!! Can’t wait to try it! Thank you for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays! Pinning, yumming, and tweeting!
OMG – this looks amazing! And fast too! Perfect for last minute parties. Thank you for sharing at #FoodieFridays – sharing now!
Thanks, Jenny!
Do you cut the rind off cheese before making recipe?
Nope! 🙂
Can you do in the oven? How?
Hi, Pattie! I would assemble the cheese with the topping, and then bake (uncovered) in a 350 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is soft. Hope you enjoy!