Description
This Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread Stuffed with Brie and Cranberry Sauce is a showstopper perfect for holidays, gatherings, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Essential Ingredients:
- Sourdough Loaf: A round sourdough loaf works best for its texture and flavor. The tangy flavor pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Brie Cheese: About an 8-ounce wheel of brie, sliced. Its creamy and soft texture melts beautifully and complements the cranberry sauce.
- Cranberry Sauce: Use homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce for that sweet-tart burst. You can also try other fruit preserves like fig jam or apricot for variation.
- Unsalted Butter: For the garlic herb butter. You’ll need about 3 tablespoons of melted butter to flavor the bread.
- Garlic: 2 cloves of minced garlic provide a savory punch.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley and thyme for an herbal, aromatic touch in the garlic butter.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing the flavor of the bread.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Bread:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the Sourdough: Use a serrated knife to carefully cut a grid pattern into the top of the sourdough loaf. Don’t cut all the way through to the bottom; create pockets that will hold the cheese and cranberry sauce.
- Create Pockets: Gently pull apart the bread pieces to form little pockets, but don’t tear the loaf completely apart. It should stay in one piece to keep the structure intact.
2. Stuff the Bread:
- Insert the Brie: Slice the brie cheese into thin pieces and stuff them into the pockets you’ve created in the sourdough loaf. Be generous with the cheese; it will melt and blend perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon small amounts of cranberry sauce over the brie slices. Allow the sauce to drip into the cracks, mixing with the melted cheese for a sweet and savory flavor combination.
3. Make the Garlic Herb Butter:
- 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. This flavorful garlic herb butter will infuse the bread with delicious savory notes as it bakes.
- Drizzle the Butter: Using a brush or spoon, generously drizzle the garlic herb butter over the stuffed bread, ensuring the butter seeps into the pockets and coats every bit of the loaf.
4. Bake the Bread:
- Wrap the Bread: Loosely wrap the stuffed sourdough loaf in aluminum foil. This helps bake the bread evenly and keeps the cheese from spilling out too early.
- Bake: Place the wrapped loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. After this, uncover the bread and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese to melt fully and the bread to become golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve the Bread:
- Cool Slightly: Once out of the oven, let the bread cool for a few minutes. This makes it easier to pull apart without burning your hands.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the bread with extra fresh herbs for a lovely finish. Serve it warm, encouraging guests to pull apart pieces filled with gooey brie and cranberry sauce for the ultimate appetizer experience.
Notes
Tips for Customizing Your Garlic Herb Sourdough Bread
- Change the Cheese: If you prefer a different cheese, you can substitute brie with camembert, goat cheese, or even cream cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Try Different Jams: Swap cranberry sauce for apricot jam, fig jam, or cherry preserves for unique twists on the flavor.
- Add Crunch: For extra texture, add chopped walnuts or pecans between the layers of brie and cranberry sauce.
- Season the Bread: You can experiment with adding other herbs like rosemary, oregano, or sage to the garlic butter for additional flavor depth.
