Zesty Cranberry Brie Knots Recipe: A Festive Appetizer Delight

Cozy winter gatherings become magical with these delectable cranberry brie knots that promise pure comfort.

Warm, flaky pastry embraces creamy cheese and tart berries in a delightful twist.

Soft dough wraps around melting brie, creating irresistible pockets of flavor.

Festive appetizers like these spark conversation and bring people closer.

Guests will crave every single bite of these elegant yet simple treats.

Quick to prepare and stunning to serve, these knots feel like a culinary triumph.

You’ll love how effortlessly impressive these little bundles can be at any gathering.

What Makes Cranberry Brie Knots So Addictive

• Craft Creative Party Appetizers: These cranberry brie knots transform simple pizza dough into stunning bite-sized treats perfect for entertaining guests and impressing friends with minimal cooking skills.
• Master Balanced Flavor Combinations: The recipe brilliantly blends sweet cranberry sauce, creamy brie cheese, and savory Italian seasoning, creating a delightful taste experience that surprises and delights taste buds.
• Quick Prep, Gourmet Results: With straightforward steps and basic ingredients, home cooks can produce restaurant-quality appetizers that look and taste sophisticated without requiring advanced culinary techniques.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: These knots work wonderfully as game day snacks, holiday party offerings, potluck contributions, or elegant pre-dinner nibbles that appeal to both adults and teenagers.

What Goes Inside Cranberry Brie Knots

• Pizza Dough: Provides the soft and chewy foundation for the delicious knots.
• Brie Cheese: A creamy, rich cheese that melts beautifully and adds luxurious flavor.
• Cranberry Sauce: Offers a sweet and tangy complement to the savory cheese.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Enhance the golden color and provide rich, buttery flavor to the knots.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: Add depth and complexity to the overall taste profile of the knots.

Easy Baking Instructions for Brie-Filled Knots

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Grab your pizza dough and set up a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil across the bottom and coat the dough’s surface.

Let the dough relax and rise at room temperature until it looks plump and almost doubled in size, which takes about an hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Brie

Remove the tough rind from the Brie and slice it into 18 perfect little cubes.

Keep these ready for later.

Step 3: Shape the Knots

Dust your countertop with flour.

Roll out the dough into a long rectangle about 18 by 4 inches. Slice the dough into 18 thin strips.

Transform each strip into a 10-inch rope and twist into a charming knot, tucking the ends underneath. Arrange the knots on two baking sheets and let them rest until they look puffy, around 40-45 minutes.

Step 4: Preheat and Prepare

Warm up the oven to 425°F. Position your oven racks in the upper and lower sections.

Step 5: Create Cheese Wells

Use a paring knife to make a small slit in each knot. Gently press to create a little pocket.

Spoon a tiny bit of cranberry sauce into each well and nestle a Brie cube on top.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

Brush the knots with melted butter.

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the knots turn golden and the cheese melts beautifully.

Let them cool for 10 minutes.

Step 8: Create Dipping Sauce

Mix the remaining cranberry sauce with butter in a small bowl.

This becomes a delightful dipping companion for your warm knots.

Serve and enjoy your delicious Cranberry Brie Knots!

Smart Tips for Buttery Cranberry Brie Knots

• Knead the dough gently to prevent tough texture and ensure soft, pillowy knots. Use room temperature Brie for easier cutting and smoother melting inside the knots. Create uniform strips by rolling dough carefully and maintaining consistent thickness. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area to help achieve perfect puffiness. Swap cranberry sauce with other preserves like fig or apricot for delightful flavor variations.

Cranberry Brie Knots with a Twist

• Savory Herb Fusion: Replace cranberry sauce with pesto and swap Brie for mozzarella, creating an Italian-inspired appetizer with fresh herb complexity.
• Mediterranean Olive Knots: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives into the dough, use feta cheese instead of Brie, and drizzle with oregano-infused olive oil after baking.
• Spicy Jalapeño Pepper Jack Knots: Mix diced jalapeños into the dough, use pepper jack cheese cubes, and serve with a zesty chipotle dipping sauce for added heat.
• Apple Cheddar Harvest Knots: Substitute cranberry sauce with caramelized apple compote, use sharp cheddar cheese, and sprinkle with thyme for an autumn-inspired version.

Pair These Knots with Your Favorite Sips

• Pair Sparkling Wine: Choose a crisp, bubbly Prosecco or Champagne to complement the rich, creamy Brie and tangy cranberry flavors, cutting through the buttery knots with refreshing acidity.
• Serve with Herb Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and chives to balance the knots' richness and provide a fresh, zesty counterpoint.
• Match with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, and a touch of apple cider vinegar to offer a sweet-tangy accompaniment that enhances the knots' savory and fruity elements.

How to Store Cranberry Brie Knots Properly

• Refrigerate: Store cooled knots in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual knots tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm individual knots on microwave-safe plate for 20-30 seconds. Add moisture by placing damp paper towel over knots to prevent dryness.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange knots on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil. Warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through. Remove foil last 2 minutes for crispy exterior.

Questions About Cranberry Brie Knots? Start Here

• What ingredients make these knots unique?

The combination of Brie cheese and cranberry sauce creates a sweet and savory flavor profile that sets these knots apart from traditional bread appetizers.

• Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Yes, homemade pizza dough works perfectly. Just ensure it’s prepared with similar consistency and allowed to rise properly before shaping.

• How difficult are these knots to make?

These knots require basic baking skills. The key steps are rolling dough strips, tying knots, and carefully adding cheese and cranberry sauce before baking.

• Is this recipe good for entertaining?

Absolutely! These knots are impressive-looking, delicious, and can be prepared partially ahead of time, making them ideal for parties or gatherings.

Cranberry Brie Knots Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Festive holiday gatherings shine brighter with warm Cranberry Brie Knots, combining flaky pastry and rich cheese in a delightful appetizer. Guests will savor these elegant, crowd-pleasing bites that blend sweet cranberry essence with creamy brie for an irresistible party starter.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
• 1 (4-ounce/113 grams) wheel Brie
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) prepared whole berry cranberry sauce
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• All-purpose flour, for dusting

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Instructions

1. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and spread pizza dough evenly, covering with plastic wrap. Allow dough to rise at room temperature for approximately 1 hour until nearly doubled in size.
2. Trim Brie wheel’s rind and slice into 18 uniform cubes, setting aside for later use.
3. Dust work surface with flour and transform dough into an elongated 18-by-4-inch rectangle. Divide into eighteen 1-inch wide strips.
4. Transform each strip into a 10-inch rope, carefully knotting and tucking ends underneath. Arrange on two baking sheets and permit to rest and puff for 40-45 minutes.
5. Activate oven to 425°F, positioning racks across upper and lower thirds of oven.
6. Using a paring knife, create a small slit in each knot and gently press center to form a well. Delicately spoon cranberry sauce into each well, topping with a Brie cube.
7. Generously brush knots with melted butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cheese becomes luxuriously melted. Allow 10 minutes cooling time.
9. Whisk remaining cranberry sauce with butter to create a complementary dipping sauce. Serve alongside warm knots for enhanced flavor experience.

Notes

• Proofing Dough Precisely: Let the pizza dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot to ensure perfect texture and volume.
• Cheese Selection Flexibility: Swap Brie with other soft cheeses like Camembert or goat cheese for varied flavor profiles.
• Handling Delicate Dough: Use a light touch when rolling and knotting to prevent deflating the dough and maintain its airy structure.
• Dietary Adaptations: Replace regular pizza dough with gluten-free options for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delightful knots.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 30mg