Baked Brie in Crescent Dough

What Makes Baked Brie Recipe So Good?

Similar to my recipe for Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts, baked brie in crescent dough is so irresistible! Ooey melted cheese, sweet-tangy cranberry sauce, and tender, homemade gluten-free crescent roll dough make this appetizer stand out from the rest. You can scoop up the melted cheese with fresh fruit or toasted slices of Gluten Free French Bread in addition to the crescent roll coating. Just as long as you’re getting enough salty, creamy cheese in each bite. Here’s why you’ll love this dish:

• Finally, this favorite is gluten free. If you been missing out on this melty, flaky favorite, you now have the opportunity to enjoy it again thanks to my recipe for Gluten Free Crescent Rolls.
• Feels festive. This is such a classic appetizer to serve during the holidays! The cranberry sauce makes it fall and winter-festive and it’s special enough to serve at any celebration.
• Prep ahead. You can assemble the baked brie in crescent dough the night before you want to serve it, then bake it fresh when needed.
• Nice contrasts. I love the meld of flavors and textural contrasts here – the fruity, slightly sweet cranberry sauce and nutty pistachios wonderfully offset the rich melted cheese and fluffy crescent rolls.

Recipe Ingredients

I’ve detailed the ingredients needed to make baked brie in crescent dough below, with the full ingredient amounts included in the recipe card at the end of this post.

For the Gluten Free Crescent Roll Dough

• Gluten Free Flour: I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour.
• Xanthan Gum: In most gluten free bread recipes, xanthan gum is a necessary ingredient to mimic the gluten found in all-purpose wheat flour.
• Granulated Sugar: This is used to activate the yeast. You can substitute honey if you prefer.
• Yeast: Use fast-rising or instant yeast, and make sure it’s fresh!
• Baking Powder: A little (fresh) baking powder works with the yeast to help the dough rise properly.
• Kosher Salt
• Butter: Use cold unsalted butter for the best results.
• Milk: I used whole milk, and 2% milk will also work.
• Egg: Use a large egg brought to room temperature so it blends into the dough easily.

For the Baked Brie

• Brie: A round weighing 13-18 ounces is best here.
• Cranberry Sauce: Use whole berry cranberry sauce for the best texture, but you can use a jellied one from a can or my homemade orange cranberry sauce if that’s what you have.
• Pistachios: Salted or unsalted pistachios work fine, or you could try chopped walnuts.
• Egg: Another large egg is used for an egg wash.

How to Make Baked Brie in Crescent Dough

Here’s a peek at photos of how you’ll put together this baked brie recipe. Scroll to the recipe card lower down for detailed instructions.

• Make the dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients, then cut in the butter. Whisk together the milk and egg, then add it to the flour. Form a ball and rest it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then roll the dough into a rectangle, folding and repeating 3 times, then refrigerate it again.
• Prep brie. Preheat oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment. Slice the top rind off of the brie.
• Add cranberry sauce. Now spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the top.

• Add pistachios. Sprinkle the top with the pistachios.
• Roll out the dough. Now roll the dough into a square and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Add brie to the dough. Place the brie in the middle of the square of dough.
• Fold the dough. Fold up the corners and sides to wrap the dough tightly around the brie.

• Smooth. Use your hands to smooth out the dough.
• Bake. Brush the dough with beaten egg, then bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.

Tips and Variation Ideas

• Try other pistachios (or nuts). I like the balance of flavor from roasted, salted pistachios, but feel free to use raw or just lightly toasted pistachios if you prefer. For a slight flavor change, you can use walnuts.
• Use regular crescent rolls. Not gluten free? You can make this with one can of regular crescent roll dough.
• Swap puff pastry. Gluten free puff pastry can also be used, but it does tend to become a bit greasy as the cheese melts. If I have the time, I prefer to make my own pastry (and you can see in the photos that it bakes beautifully!).
• Leftover egg wash: Note that you may not need the entire amount of the egg wash!
• Other cheese. If you can’t get brie, a cheese with a similar appearance and flavor is camembert. Use an equal amount in place of the brie if needed.

Can I Make This Baked Brie Ahead?

Yes, you can make the baked brie in crescent dough ahead of time. After completing the chilling of the dough step, assemble the brie, pistachios, cranberry sauce, and dough. Place it on a plate or baking sheet if you have room in the fridge, cover it with foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge overnight (or up to 1 day). When you are ready to bake the brie, take it out of the fridge, remove the wrap, and brush it with the beaten egg. Then bake as directed.

Can I Save Extras For Later?

Yes, if you have extras you can save and reheat them for another time. Here’s how:

• Fridge – Transfer cooled, leftover baked brie to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To Reheat – Place the baked brie in an oven-safe dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet and reheat it in a 350°F oven until the cheese is melted and the pastry is warmed.

Ways to Serve It

A melty plate of baked brie with some extras like fruit is a decadent and welcomed appetizer. Here are a few suggestions for what you can serve alongside baked brie in crescent dough:

• Fruit: A plate of fresh fruit is a perfect side to a rich and cheesy dish. Put out apple and pear slices, grapes, and sliced strawberries. I also like to add a few teaspoons (or more) of fresh pomegranate seeds to the top of the brie when it comes out of the oven or arrange them on the plate around it.
• Crackers or chips: An assortment of gluten free crackers or chips like my Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are also nice with baked brie. I like the Gluten Free Breton Crackers you see here in the photos.
• Vegetables: For a fresh side, put out a vegetable plate with sliced carrots, red peppers, cucumber, and more.
• Salad: You can also serve baked brie in crescent dough as part of a light lunch with a salad like a seasonal Harvest Salad or Turkey Cobb Salad.