Sometimes we need an excuse to eat bread and cheese together. In this case, that excuse is called an hors d’oeuvre. And, I welcome it. It might come from my mom’s fascination with miniature food. She is literally OBSESSED with appetizers, aka “appy’s.” I think she will be happy as a clam to see this recipe for Cranberry and Brie Canapés on my blog. Really though, they are more like a holiday bruschetta, but that felt like stretching. Because—how good is bruschetta? Not much to improve on.
These little guys will be the perfect starter to any of your holiday parties and extra points for them being easier than easy to make. Even if you are making your own cranberry sauce from scratch, they are still really easy! They will give you all the time you need to freshen up your make-up and put on a clean shirt that doesn’t smell like onions. Welcome your guests to your very own, super-unique, never-been-done-before, ugly Christmas sweater party.
And just like that, I’ve transitioned into the holidays. I mean—can you even handle it? I look forward to every day spent at home, under my plaid bedding, watching all these movies in no particular order.
- Little Women
- Home Alone
- The Grinch the cartoon version
- Home Alone: Lost in New York
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The episode from 30 Rock titled Ludachristmas
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- The Holiday
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Anything on the Hallmark Hall of Fame list
Repeat.
If you need me, you can find me knee-deep in buttered popcorn watching anything from this stellar line-up. You also might find me in the kitchen making all my Christmas cookie recipes. I may have over-committed, I may have gotten myself in too deep, but last week, I’m gave you guys my five favorite Christmas cookie recipes. Worth it.
Sorry, I just spent this whole post not talking about these Cranberry and Brie Canapés.
To conclude: these little guys really are very delicious. The baguette is super toasty and the creaminess of the brie with the softened tart cranberry sauce calmed with sweet balsamic and made slightly more savory with rosemary… It’s what holiday dreams are made of. It’s perfect for a great start to your Thanksgiving menu or just as a fun way to use all the leftovers from the party yesterday.
Cranberry and Brie Canapés
This is the perfect appetizer for any holiday party you’re hosting. Cranberry and Brie Canapés will stun your guests and they are so easy to make!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
1 French baguette
Olive oil for drizzling
½ cup whole cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon high quality balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
1 pound brie
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Slice French baguette into ½ inch slices and place on a parchment-lined (or a silicone baking mat liner) cookie sheet. Drizzle and brush bread slices with olive oil.
Place cookie sheet in preheated oven for 5-8 minutes. Toasts are done once they turn lightly golden brown. Remove from oven leaving toasts on the cookie sheet.
In a small bowl, mix together cranberry sauce, rosemary, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Chop the brie into small pieces—a little smaller than the size of the bread.
Place the cranberry sauce and brie on top of the toasts. Place toasts under the broiler on high for approximately 2 minutes until the cheese starts to melt. Remove from oven. Drizzle toasts with the balsamic vinegar.
Keywords: brie, bruschetta, canapés, cranberry, baguette, holiday hors d’oeuvres
Adding it to the happy “appy” list! Yum!