Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing This Show-Stopping Appetizer

Making Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread Stuffed with Brie and Cranberry Sauce 🧄🧀🍞 is simple and fun! Follow these easy steps to prepare a dish that will leave your guests raving.

Prepare the Bread

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your bread will bake evenly and get golden and crispy.
2. Slice the Sourdough: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut a grid pattern into the top of the sourdough loaf. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom. The goal is to create pockets for the cheese and cranberry sauce, while keeping the loaf intact.
3. Make the Bread Pockets: Gently pull apart the pieces of bread, creating little pockets where you can stuff the cheese and sauce. Don’t tear the bread apart completely; keep it in one piece to maintain the structure.

Stuff the Bread

1. Insert the Brie: Slice the brie into thin pieces and insert them into the crevices of the sourdough loaf. Be generous with the cheese, as it will melt and spread throughout the bread during baking.
2. Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon small amounts of cranberry sauce over the brie slices. Allow the sauce to drip into the crevices and mix with the melted cheese for a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Make the Garlic Herb Butter

1. Combine Butter, Garlic, and Herbs: In a small bowl, melt the butter and mix in the minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. The butter mixture will infuse the bread with savory flavor as it bakes.
2. Drizzle the Butter: Using a brush or spoon, drizzle the garlic herb butter generously over the bread. Make sure the butter seeps into the cracks and coats every part of the loaf.

Bake the Bread

1. Wrap the Bread: Loosely wrap the stuffed sourdough loaf in aluminum foil. This will help the bread bake evenly and prevent the cheese from spilling out too early.
2. Bake: Place the wrapped loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. After this time, uncover the bread and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese to melt fully and the bread to become golden brown and crispy.

Serve the Bread

1. Cool Slightly: Once the bread is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. This will make it easier to pull apart without burning your hands.
2. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the bread with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve it warm. Guests can pull apart pieces of the bread, which will be filled with gooey brie and cranberry sauce, making for a perfect appetizer experience.

 Why This Recipe Is Perfect for Holiday Gatherings

Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread Stuffed with Brie and Cranberry Sauce 🧄🧀🍞 is ideal for holiday gatherings for several reasons:

• Easy to Make in Bulk: This recipe is simple enough to prepare in large quantities. You can easily double the recipe for a bigger crowd.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The savory-sweet combination is universally loved, making it perfect for people with diverse tastes. Plus, it’s vegetarian, which is an added bonus for guests with dietary restrictions.
• Perfect for Sharing: The pull-apart nature of the dish encourages socializing and sharing, making it a perfect addition to any holiday spread or buffet-style meal.

Tips for Customizing Your Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread Stuffed with Brie and Cranberry Sauce

Here are some ideas for customizing the recipe based on your preferences:

• Change the Cheese: Brie is soft and creamy, but you can also use camembert, goat cheese, or cream cheese for a different flavor profile.
• Try Different Jam: Swap cranberry sauce for apricot jam, fig jam, or cherry preserves for a different taste experience.
• Add Crunch: For extra texture, add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans between the layers of brie and cranberry sauce.
• Season the Bread: Experiment with rosemary, oregano, or sage for additional layers of flavor in the garlic herb butter.