Golden Camembert Cranberry Bake: A Sweet-Savory Recipe
Melted cheese lovers rejoice as this baked camembert with cranberry sauce takes center stage on your dinner table.
The creamy, golden wheel promises a decadent experience that melts right into your heart.
Warm, gooey camembert becomes irresistible when baked to perfection and paired with a tangy cranberry sauce.
Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of rich cheese and sharp fruit flavors that dance across your palate.
Elegant yet simple, this dish works brilliantly as a stunning appetizer or a cozy shared plate.
The combination offers a luxurious touch to any gathering, turning an ordinary evening into something special.
Get ready to impress with this show-stopping recipe that combines comfort and sophistication in one delightful dish.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 232 kcal
Servings: 5
Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
For The Star Ingredient:
Camembert Wheel: Creamy French cheese that transforms into a luxurious molten delight when baked, select a ripe wheel with a soft, yielding texture and pristine white rind.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Cranberry Sauce: Tangy-sweet companion that adds vibrant contrast to the rich cheese, choose a homemade or high-quality store-bought version with balanced sweetness.
Dried Cranberries: Chewy jewels that provide bursts of concentrated fruity flavor and textural interest.
Walnuts: Crunchy nuggets offering earthy depth and nutty complexity, select fresh, golden-hued pieces without any bitter or rancid undertones.
For Serving Companions:
Crackers: Crisp, neutral base that provides the perfect vehicle for scooping the melted cheese, opt for plain or lightly seasoned varieties that won't compete with the cheese's flavor.
Cheese Knife: Essential tool for effortless spreading and serving, choose a wide, flat blade that glides smoothly through soft cheese.
Tools for Baking Camembert with Cranberry Sauce
Baking Tray: Essential for evenly baking the Camembert.
Silicon Mat: Prevents sticking and makes clean-up easy.
Paring Knife: Perfect for scoring the cheese rind in a delicate crosshatch pattern.
Frying Pan: Used to toast walnuts to golden perfection.
Heatproof Jug: Helps warm the cranberry sauce smoothly in the microwave.
Serving Platter: Presents the baked Camembert beautifully.
Cheese Knife: Ideal for spreading the soft, warm cheese.
Microwave: Quick tool for warming the cranberry sauce.
Crackers: Serve as the perfect vessel for enjoying the melted cheese.
How to Make Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce
Cozy Camembert Magic
Cheese Preparation Unwrap the Camembert and place it on a baking mat, gently creating a decorative crosshatch pattern on its surface with a sharp knife.
Oven Warmth Slide the cheese into a preheated oven and let it transform into a creamy, molten delight for about 10 minutes.
Nutty Companion While the cheese bakes, quickly toast walnuts in a dry pan until they release their rich, toasty aroma.
Cranberry Drizzle Warm the cranberry sauce in the microwave, creating a vibrant and tangy complement to the rich cheese.
Elegant Presentation Carefully transfer the bubbling Camembert to a beautiful serving plate, drizzle with warm cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with toasted walnuts and dried cranberries.
Serving Moment Bring the dish to the table immediately, accompanied by crisp crackers and a cheese knife, ready for everyone to dive into this luxurious shared experience.
Tips for Perfect Baked Camembert with Cranberries
Swap cranberry sauce with fig jam or honey for a sweet twist that complements the creamy cheese perfectly.
Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs on top of the Camembert before baking to infuse aromatic herbs into the melted cheese.
Prepare the toasted walnuts and cranberry sauce up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to save time on serving day.
Serve the baked Camembert on a wooden board with an assortment of crusty baguette slices, crisp apple wedges, and cured meats for a stunning appetizer spread.
Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free crackers or replacing crackers with fresh vegetable sticks like cucumber and carrot for a lighter option.
Serving Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce
Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning cheese board with various crackers, sliced baguettes, and fresh fruits like grapes or sliced pears alongside the baked Camembert.
Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair this warm, gooey cheese with a light green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the Camembert.
Festive Appetizer Elegance: Serve as a centerpiece at holiday gatherings, surrounded by seasonal garnishes like rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a festive touch.
Wine and Cheese Moment: Complement the dish with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir to enhance the flavors of the melted cheese and cranberry sauce.
Storage Tips for Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce
Cheese Companion Choices: Fresh crusty bread, rustic crackers, or crisp apple slices make delightful dipping partners for this warm Camembert delight.
Leftover Love Strategy: Store any remaining cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, understanding the texture might slightly change after initial baking.
Temperature Revival Trick: Gently reheat leftover Camembert in a 160°C oven for 3-4 minutes to restore its creamy, melty consistency before serving.
Advance Preparation Hack: Prepare toasted walnuts and warm cranberry sauce ahead of time, keeping them in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick assembly when guests arrive.
Creamy Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce brings French alpine comfort to holiday tables. Rustic cheese nestled in golden pastry pairs perfectly with tart cranberry sauce, creating a luxurious appetizer that delights guests.
Ingredients
Scale
1 wheel Camembert cheese (200 grams / 7 oz)
⅓ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
⅓ cup cranberry sauce
⅓ cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an optimal environment for transforming the Camembert into a molten delicacy.
Cheese Preparation: Position the Camembert on a parchment-lined baking sheet, carefully scoring the rind with a delicate crosshatch pattern to facilitate even melting and enhance visual appeal.
Roasting and Toasting: Simultaneously slide the Camembert into the oven and toast walnuts in a dry skillet, allowing the cheese to soften and the nuts to develop a rich, golden-brown complexity for about 10-12 minutes.
Sauce Development: While the cheese bakes, gently warm the cranberry sauce in a small saucepan, stirring until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency that will elegantly drape over the molten cheese.
Plating and Garnishing: Carefully transfer the bubbling Camembert to a serving plate, drizzle the vibrant cranberry sauce over its surface, and sprinkle the toasted walnuts and dried cranberries across the melted cheese, creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed appetizer.
Serving: Present immediately with an array of crisp crackers or crusty bread, inviting guests to dive into this luxurious, indulgent dish that promises a perfect balance of creamy, tart, and nutty flavors.
Notes
Optimize Cheese Selection: Choose a high-quality, room-temperature Camembert with a creamy texture and pristine white rind for the best melting performance.
Master Precise Heating: Watch the cheese carefully during baking to prevent over-melting; 10 minutes is the sweet spot for achieving a luxurious, gooey consistency.
Enhance Flavor Complexity: Toasting walnuts unlocks deeper, nuttier notes that complement the richness of the Camembert and add a delightful textural contrast.
Serve Strategically: Present the baked Camembert immediately after preparation to capture the perfect molten state and maximize the sensory experience of warm, creamy cheese.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.