Baked Camembert with Cranberry Sauce

🤍 Recipe Highlights

I have summarised everything that you will come to know and love (LOVE ❤) about the recipe in the points below:

• Super quick!
• Super easy!
• Minimal effort: whilst this baked camembert recipe might look impressive (melted cheese always does right), it is really very simple to bring together!
• Easy ingredients: whilst they may not be everyday ingredients (imagine if camembert was!!) they are indeed easy to get your hands on. Camembert, cranberry sauce, walnuts and crackers. It really is that simple! (😘🥰).
• Versatile: be it a special occasion, friends dropping over, family gathering or Christmas party it is handy to have some quick come together recipes up your sleeve to whip out as needed.
• Party starter: the festive season is almost upon us and you need plenty of options to entertain. That, however, doesn't mean things need to take a lot of time and effort. Cut the labour and hard work out and give yourself a speedy appetizer that will kick off any party!
• Taste and texture: the cranberry sauce has a thick saucy texture, the camembert melts in your mouth and the walnuts and crackers bring the bite to the dish. It is a winning combination.
• If in doubt, ready the 1st 2 points at the top of this list again 🤣🥰

🥗 Ingredients

The photo below is to show you everything you need to make the camembert with cranberry sauce recipe. Please refer to the printable recipe card for specific ingredient measurements as well as detailed instructions.

As you can see the recipe calls for:

• Cranberry sauce: this will be located where the mint sauces, pickles and cocktail onions are. It has a thick jelly like consistency and a red maroon colour.
• Chopped walnuts: This is the start of the baked camembert toppings. You can either purchase whole raw walnuts and chop yourself or purchase chopped walnuts to save you crushing them.
• Dried cranberries: these will be with the dried fruits and nuts, often in the cooking aisle. We use kitchen scissors and a small glass to chop these into rough pieces.
• Camembert cheese: you will find this in the cheese section of the supermarket either at the deli or in the cheese aisle. It is similar to brie cheese in that they both have a white rind and can be sold as wedges or wheels.

Top Tip: I like to provide you with a number of substitutions and variations giving you an array of options when making my recipes. If in doubt of any of the above ingredients, or wanting alternatives, read this section (further below) before jumping into the instructions on how to make the recipe which are coming next 😉👌.

🍳 Instructions

Here are the step by step instructions to make the recipe. We start by preparing the cheese.

• Toast the crushed walnuts (Photo 1)
• Place the cheese wheel onto a baking dish (Photo 2)
• Score the rind in both directions (Photo 3)
• Heat the cranberry sauce (Photo 4)

👩‍🍳 How to Make Baked Camembert With Cranberry Sauce

Start to make the recipe by removing the camembert cheese from the fridge and discarding the packaging.

Then place the cheese wheel onto a silicon mat in the centre of a baking dish.

Use a sharp knife to score the rind in both directions to make diagonal cuts.

Then place the baking tray into the oven and let the cheese bake for 10 minutes.

During this time you can also add the cranberry sauce to a heatproof jug, microwave it to warm and then remove ready to use to top the baked camembert.

Once the 10 minutes of cook time is up, use oven mitts to remove the baking tray from the oven and place it onto a heatproof surface.

Then use a silicon turner to gently slide the cheese off the baking tray and onto a serving platter.

Next use a spoon to dollop the tart cranberry sauce over the top of the cheese. Use the back of the spoon to spread the sauce around slightly.

Then take the crushed walnuts and sprinkle them over the top of the cranberry sauce.

Once done, place the crackers around the outside of the serving platter and slide a small cheese knife under the baked camembert.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving the cheese, this will depend on the occasion you have in mind for it.

If it is an appetizer you can pop it on a serving board with the crackers around the edges as shown in the photo below. Homemade Pita Chips, Tortilla Chips or Crostini are all good choices.

Or you can increase its potential by adding some celery and carrot sticks and turn it into more of a platter with nibblies to pick at left, right and centre.

Whichever way you choose to go, one thing is for certain and that is the cheese will not be around long! It is a cheese lovers blink twice and you will miss it combo 😂.

👍 How to Guide

How to Store

Store leftovers of the baked camembert in a sealed, airtight container. They can be kept for 2 days and are best reheated before being served.

How to Reheat

Place the leftovers onto a plate and cover with plastic wrap. The best way to reheat them is in the microwave in 30 second increments until the cheese has melted again.

How to Freeze

Nope, it doesn't work. I do not recommend freezing the camembert cheese or leftovers. Simply heat and eat or heat and eat leftovers.

😉 Substitutions and Variations

Here are my sub ins and outs that you might be thinking about as you read the post and I will tell you if I think they will work or why they won't:

• You can use this combination to make a wheel of baked brie cheese also if you wish too.
• In place of the crushed walnuts, try crushed pistachio or pecans.
• Add some rosemary or thyme leaves if you want to add a pop of additional colour or herb on top.
• Or use this combination of ingredients on a cheese platter, yet serve the camembert cold as a no bake cheese option.

💡 Tasty Tips

Here are my top tips and tricks that I want to share with you so that you master the recipe from the get go:

• The nuts will toast very quickly and continue to cook somewhat when off the heat. For this reason keep a close eye on them whilst toasting 😉👌.
• The cheese will be very soft once it is baked. For this reason slide a flat turner under it as a means to transfer it to a serving platter. You won't be able to pick up the sides of the cheese as it will simply fold and fall from your hand (ohhhh nooooo 😭).

🤓 Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cook Camembert in the packaging?

A number of wheels of camembert will be sold in a small wooden box. This allows you to remove any plastic or paper packaging before placing the cheese back in the box and cooking it as is. 

If your cheese does not come in the box (like mine used for this recipe), you can simply place it on a lined baking tray in the oven.

What is Camembert cheese good with?

Camembert Cheese is good with a wide variety of sweet and savory ingredients. You can tart it up with complex flavours or keep it simple with basic additions.  Baked camembert cheese is great for entertaining, serving with crostini, alongside your favourite crackers or chips. Dried fruits are a fun and easy way to serve the cheese as they offer a different taste and texture!

How do you serve Camembert Cheese?

Camembert cheese is versatile and lends itself to a variety of serving ideas. Try it with crackers, pita chips, on a grazing platter, with fresh fruit or crostini.

😍 More Easy Dip And Spreads Recipes

We all know everyone's favorite thing about the party is the food! Here are some more ideas to kick things off:

• Microwave Brie
• Honey Pecan Cream Cheese
• Artichoke Olive Tapenade
• Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
• Roast Capsicum Dip
• Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly
• Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
• Christmas Dip
• Green Olive Dip
• Ham Dip

It is time to get our camembert on my friend! You can also find all of my dips and spreads recipes or appetizers in the one spot. Peruse and find one that suits. Or try the Grazing Platter if you are feeding a crowd.

Adrianne

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