Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh

Planning a holiday party doesn’t have to be stressful. You just need a handful of tried-and-true appetizer recipes that you can throw together quickly. This foolproof Cranberry Brie Crostini is one of my go-to Christmas appetizers. It has a sweet and slightly tart cranberry compote that sits on top of melted brie cheese. It’s absolutely divine with the French bread. The cranberry topping is so festive and, in the end, it’s just a simple recipe that you can depend on.

Each year, during the holiday season, I’m constantly having to put together last minute dishes for events. We’re invited to office parties, friend’s houses and Christmas parties. It feels never-ending during November and December. The last thing anyone wants to do during those busy months, is make a complicated recipe. When I’m bringing a dish, it has to be flavorful and easy to make.

If you’ve never had a crostini before, it’s basically just topping on French Bread. There are a million different ways you can make it. I have other recipe, my Bacon and Cheese Crostini recipe, that I also make. Crostini is so great because you can prep the topping ahead of time and then just bake it right before serving. You want to serve the appetizer hot and fresh out of the oven, when the cheese is super melty.

Looking for more great holiday appetizer recipes? Each Christmas season, my readers rave about these top picks:

• Spice Mixed Nuts
• Warm Bacon Spinach Dip
• Oven-Baked Mushroom Stuffed Mushrooms

How To Make Cranberry Brie Crostini Appetizer

I’m all about easy clean up. There’s a trick to making this recipe as easy as possible. You can line your baking sheets with aluminum foil. Just wrap the foil around the baking sheets to completely cover the top (usually you need two pieces). This will keep your baking sheet clean. Then just toss your aluminum foil when finished! It doesn’t get any easier than that.

What To Serve With Cranberry Brie Crostini

I absolutely love to enjoy this bite-size appetizer with a sweet white wine. The sweetness goes so well with the tartness of the cranberries. Bringing this holiday appetizer with a bottle of sweet white win would be a great gift.

In terms of other food items, I love to mix up my appetizers. You can add a few more finger foods and some dips for a complete appetizer. Serve about 5-6 different types of appetizers per party. You can double the recipes as you need more servings per guest.

Tips For A Great Christmas Cocktail Party:

• Make a list of appetizers that you want to serve and think of both hot and cold items. Mark which dishes can be prepped ahead of time.
• Consider matching your cocktails, beer and wine to the appetizers that you’re going to serve.
• Prep as much as you can ahead of time.
• Consider purchasing easy appetizer, like shrimp cocktail to serve alongside homemade items.

How To Prep The Cranberry Brie Crostini Ahead Of Time

You want the cheese to be melted and warm when you’re serving the appetizer. That means that you’ll want to make it immediately before serving or keep it in a warming drawer. You can prepare the cranberry compote ahead of time and just then bake your crostini according to instructions – a few minutes before serving. Typically, this is one of the last appetizers I prepare.

Can You Freeze Crostini Appetizer?

Unfortunately there is no great way to freeze this appetizer, if you have leftovers. The texture of the compote changes and the melted cheese doesn’t freeze well either. I’d prepare a new batch of crostini if you want more.

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

• Dried Cranberries
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Jellied Cranberry Sauce
• Sugar
• French Bread
• Butter
• Brie

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Cranberry Brie Crostini

In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, vinegar, cranberry sauce and sugar. Cook and constantly stir over medium heat until thickened – about 12 minutes.

Brush bottoms of bread with butter.

Place the sliced bread on uncreased baking sheets. Bake at 350º for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. Top bread with brie and a bit of compote. Bake for another 4-6 minutes until cheese is melted.