There’s something magical about warm, pull-apart bread straight from the oven—especially when it’s filled with melty Brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and buttery, nut-coated dough. This Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread is the kind of recipe that stops conversations at the table and disappears faster than you expect. It’s cozy, festive, and surprisingly easy to make, making it perfect for holidays, brunch spreads, or a special weekend appetizer.
If you’re looking for a holiday pull-apart bread recipe, a sweet and savory bread appetizer, or a show-stopping cranberry Brie recipe, this one checks all the boxes. Soft yeast dough, rich cheese, and bursts of cranberry come together in a bread that’s meant to be shared—no slicing required.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread
- Soft, fluffy yeast bread with buttery layers
- Melty Brie cheese baked right into the dough
- Sweet-tart whole berry cranberry sauce in every bite
- Perfect for holidays, brunch, or entertaining
- Pull-apart style makes it easy to serve and share
This recipe feels elegant but is approachable enough for home bakers, even if you don’t work with yeast often.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package (¼ ounce) rapid-rise active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (120°F)
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
For the Filling & Coating
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 package (7 ounces) Brie cheese, cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the warm water and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, mixing until a rough dough forms. Using the dough hook, knead on low speed for 5–7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 2: First Rise
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Prepare the Coating
Spray a 2-quart ovenproof bowl or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine the chopped nuts, brown sugar, and coarse salt. Pour the remaining ¼ cup melted butter into another shallow bowl.
Step 4: Shape the Bubble Bread
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or stretch it into a 9×6-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
Dip each dough ball into melted butter, then roll in the nut mixture to coat. Place the coated dough balls into the prepared baking dish, layering with pieces of Brie and spoonfuls of cranberry sauce as you go.
Step 5: Second Rise
Cover the dish and let the dough rise again in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until puffy. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden, the dough is set, and the filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack for 15–20 minutes before serving warm.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry Brie pull-apart bread is best served warm, when the cheese is perfectly melty and the cranberry sauce is jammy and rich. It pairs beautifully with:
- A holiday cheese board
- Roast turkey or chicken
- Brunch spreads with eggs and fruit
- A glass of crisp white wine or sparkling cider
Tips for Success
- Cut the Brie small so it melts evenly throughout the bread
- Use whole-berry cranberry sauce for the best texture
- Don’t skip the second rise—it ensures a light, fluffy crumb
- Let the bread rest briefly before serving so it holds together
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
You can assemble the bread ahead of time, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature before baking. Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 SERVINGS 1x
Description
Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread is a soft pull-apart bread layered with melty Brie cheese, whole berry cranberry sauce, and buttery nut-coated dough balls. This sweet and savory bread is perfect for holiday entertaining, brunch, or a cozy appetizer.
Ingredients
Dough
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 package (¼ ounce) rapid-rise active dry yeast
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 cup warm water (120°F)
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2 tablespoons butter, melted
Coating & Filling
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¼ cup butter, melted
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¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
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¼ cup packed brown sugar
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¼ teaspoon coarse salt
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1 package (7 ounces) Brie cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes
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1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
Instructions
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, yeast, and salt.
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Add warm water and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Mix until a rough dough forms.
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Knead on low speed for 5–7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
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Shape dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
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Grease a 2-quart ovenproof baking dish and set aside.
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In a shallow bowl, combine chopped nuts, brown sugar, and coarse salt. Place remaining melted butter in another shallow bowl.
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Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and stretch into a 9×6-inch rectangle. Cut into 1-inch pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
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Dip each dough ball into melted butter, then roll in the nut mixture to coat.
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Place dough balls into the prepared baking dish, layering with Brie cubes and spoonfuls of cranberry sauce.
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Cover and let rise again for about 45 minutes, or until puffy.
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Bake for 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden and the filling is bubbly.
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Cool on a wire rack for 15–20 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
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For best results, use whole-berry cranberry sauce rather than jellied.
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Let the bread rest briefly after baking so it holds together when pulled apart.
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Nuts can be omitted if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 MINUTES
- Rise Time: 1 HOUR 30 MINS
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cranberry Brie bubble bread ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the bread completely, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking so the dough can finish rising properly.
What kind of Brie works best for this recipe?
A standard wheel of Brie works best. You don’t need a double- or triple-cream Brie, but choose one that’s soft and creamy so it melts evenly into the bread.
Can I use homemade cranberry sauce?
Absolutely. Homemade whole-berry cranberry sauce works very well, as long as it isn’t too loose or watery. Thick cranberry sauce helps keep the layers intact while baking.
Can I substitute the nuts or leave them out?
Yes. You can use pecans or walnuts, or leave the nuts out entirely if you prefer. The bread will still bake up soft and flavorful without them.
How do I know when the bubble bread is done baking?
The bread is done when the dough is fully set, the top is golden brown, and the cranberry sauce is bubbling around the edges. An internal temperature of about 190°F indicates the bread is fully baked.
Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?
Yes. The dough can be mixed and kneaded by hand. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
How should leftovers be stored?
Store leftover cranberry Brie bubble bread covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven to restore the soft texture and melted cheese.
Can this recipe be served as a dessert?
While it’s more commonly served as an appetizer or brunch bread, it can also work as a lightly sweet dessert, especially when paired with coffee or tea.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Brie Bubble Bread is everything a holiday or entertaining recipe should be—warm, comforting, impressive, and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re serving it as a festive appetizer, a brunch centerpiece, or a cozy side dish, it’s guaranteed to be the first thing gone.
If you love sweet and savory bread recipes, holiday pull-apart breads, or anything involving melted Brie and cranberry sauce, this recipe deserves a spot in your rotation.
Save it, share it, and don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe.
