Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans
This crockpot brie dip melts a wheel of creamy brie with cranberry sauce, pecans, and a touch of honey into a warm, gooey spread. The slow cooker keeps it soft for hours, which makes it a smart choice for holiday parties.
12
servings10
minutes2
hoursA wheel of brie melts in the slow cooker under a layer of cranberry sauce, honey, and thyme. Toasted pecans add crunch on top.
Ingredients
1 wheel (13 to 16 oz) brie cheese, rind on
3/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped
Pinch of black pepper
1 tbsp butter, softened
Crackers, sliced baguette, and apple or pear slices for serving
Directions
- Line a 3-quart slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or a sheet of parchment, leaving a little overhang for lifting.
- Place the brie wheel in the center and score the top in a crisscross pattern, cutting only through the rind, not deep.
- Stir the cranberry sauce, honey, orange juice, thyme, cinnamon, and pepper together in a small bowl.
- Spoon the cranberry mixture over the brie, covering the top and letting some run down the sides.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the cheese is soft and the center is molten when poked.
- Check at 90 minutes. Brie goes from soft to runny quickly, and you want it melted, not liquid.
- Scatter the toasted pecans over the top.
- Switch to WARM.
- Garnish with a few fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve directly from the pot with crackers, bread, and fruit slices.
Notes
- Fig jam or apricot preserves can replace the cranberry sauce. Leave the rind on, since it holds the cheese together. Leftover brie keeps 3 days in the fridge, and it is good melted again on a sandwich. Do not freeze it. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3 minutes for better flavor.
Why brie is made for the slow cooker
A wheel of baked brie is a party classic, but it only stays soft for about 20 minutes once it leaves the oven. The slow cooker holds it at a low, even heat, so the center stays molten while the rind keeps its shape, and guests can dip for the whole evening.
The sweet cranberry and honey topping balances the rich, buttery cheese. As the cooker warms up, it gets glossy and sticky, and the pecans on top give a toasty bite that makes each cracker feel finished.
It also looks impressive for almost no work. A bubbling wheel of cheese with a ruby topping on a holiday table makes people think you spent far longer on it than ten minutes.
What to buy for the brie and the topping
Brie: Choose a ripe but firm wheel of about 13 to 16 oz. A very ripe, runny brie turns to liquid. A cold, hard one takes longer to melt.
Cranberry sauce: Whole berry canned sauce is the easiest. Homemade works as well, as long as it is thick.
Honey: A little brings the sweetness that goes with the creamy cheese. Maple syrup is a fair swap.
Pecans: Toast them first. Raw nuts taste flat, and toasted ones add a nutty, buttery crunch.
Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a woody, earthy note. Dried thyme is a fine backup at a quarter of the amount.
Tips for gooey brie that holds together
Keep the rind on: The rind acts like a container. Without it, the cheese runs into a pool and the dip loses its shape.
Watch the time: The most common mistake is cooking brie too long. Past 2 hours, the center turns into oily liquid and the cheese separates. Start checking at 90 minutes and switch to WARM as soon as it is soft.
Use a liner: Melted brie sticks to the insert like glue. A liner or parchment makes cleanup simple and lets you lift the wheel out if you need to.
Set it on a trivet: Place the cooker on a heatproof surface near the snack table, because the exterior gets hot, and keep a spreading knife on a small plate next to it.
Swaps and variations
Use fig jam, pepper jelly, or apricot preserves in place of the cranberry. Walnuts or pistachios can replace the pecans. A spoonful of balsamic glaze adds tang. Camembert melts the same way, in a smaller wheel. A rosemary sprig on top looks nice for the holidays. For a rich dip, use caramelized onions and bacon in place of the sweet topping.
Do not use a brie that is cut or wrapped in pastry in the slow cooker. The dough turns soggy and cannot crisp.
Add a pinch of flaky salt on top just before serving, which makes the sweet topping taste sharper and brighter.
What to serve with brie dip
Serve with a mix of crisp crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh fruit like apple, pear, and grapes. Add salty nuts and cured meats for a small board around the pot. A glass of sparkling wine or cider makes the dip taste even better, and warm bread is welcome on cold days. Put a small knife and spoon beside the pot for spreading.
For a bigger party, run two cookers with different toppings, one sweet with cranberry and one with caramelized onion.
Storing and reheating leftovers
Cool the leftovers and store them in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cheese firms up when cold and can be spread on a sandwich.
To reheat, warm it in a small oven-safe dish at 300°F for 10 minutes, or in the microwave in 20 second bursts. Do not freeze brie, since the texture turns grainy and watery.
Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12 servings
- Ingredients: 10, led by wheel (13 to 16 oz) brie cheese, whole berry cranberry sauce, honey, orange juice
Tips for Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans
Fig jam or apricot preserves can replace the cranberry sauce. Leave the rind on, since it holds the cheese together. Leftover brie keeps 3 days in the fridge, and it is good melted again on a sandwich. Do not freeze it. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3 minutes for better flavor.
Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans FAQ
How long does Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans take?
Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans takes 2 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans serve?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Brie Dip with Cranberry and Pecans?
10 ingredients, led by wheel (13 to 16 oz) brie cheese, whole berry cranberry sauce, honey, orange juice. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
