Cranberry Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese – The perfect combination celebrating the beauty of salty and sweet. The only way you’ll ever want to use up leftover cranberry sauce!
The ULTIMATE Brie Grilled Cheese
Another day, another grilled cheese recipe. And in answer to your question – no, these will never stop 🤣Today’s victim: Brie.
Brie is perfect for toasties for a couple of different reasons. Firstly, it’s got a smooth, mellow and creamy flavour which invites a number of different ingredients to join the party (more on that in just a sec). Second, it’s got a really low melting point, which means it goes gooey very quickly when exposed to heat.
Brie, Bacon and Cranberry
Now here’s where things get intense. Brie, bacon and cranberry is one heck of a combo. We all know sweet and salt go together perfectly and this combo illustrates that to a tee.
The sweetness and slight tartness of the cranberry sauce takes on the flavours of the salty, streaky bacon so well. Then you chuck in some thick wedges a Brie and the whole thing just takes off. Subtle and creamy, the Brie completely marries the flavours together beautifully.
Chilli Flakes
I know you’re probably thinking ‘huh, chilli flakes!?’ Yup! Lemme explain..
When I first tested this recipe I didn’t add any spice and instantly knew something was missing. The cranberry sauce almost became overpowering and was a little too sweet for a grilled cheese. The chilli gives a much needed kick to the whole thing and balances out the sweetness of the cranberry perfectly. In fact, it goes further than just balancing the flavors, it’s adds a beautiful warmth that the cranberry takes on so well.
Even if you don’t do spice, just an incy sprinkle will do wonders. Give it a go, you’ll see what I mean.
Cranberry, Bacon & Brie Grilled Cheese
Bread
Every great grilled cheese recipe starts with a great loaf of bread. So pick your favourite bread! Most grilled cheese recipes suggest avoiding thick slices of bread, but I find that if you grill it low and slow the cheese melts perfectly. Tiger bread or Sourdough both work great!
Can I make this into a Panini?
Sure! Just grab some ciabatta and either use a panini grill or use a regular pan and rest a heavy pan on top of the ciabatta (to mimic a panini grill).
Leftover Cranberry Sauce
The other thing about this cranberry bacon brie grilled cheese recipe is that it’s a perfect opportunity to use up any leftover cranberry sauce. If you’re anything like me then you’ve always got a pot of cranberry sauce in the fridge just screaming to be used, but can never find the opportunity. Well, here’s your solution. And a delicious solution at that.
Can I use other jams?
Yep! Most fruity jams work great in this recipe, namely blueberry or blackberry if you have it. Even Caramelized Onions would work!
Can I make these in advance?
You can certainly stacked them in advance and have them ready to cook, yes. I don’t recommend fully making them to reheat though!
If you’re looking for something as deliciously similar then check out my Brie, Blackberry and Bacon Stuffed Croissants!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this brie grilled cheese shall we?!
How to make a Cranberry, Bacon & Brie Grilled Cheese
Equipment:
- Large Frying Pan & Turner
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Ingredients (check list):
- 4 large slices of Thick White Bread
- 6-8 rashers of Streaky Bacon, cooked to desired texture
- 6-8 wedges of Brie
- 2 tbsp Cranberry Sauce
- 2 pinches Chilli Flakes
- 4 ‘spreads’ Butter
Instructions:
- Lightly spread butter over one side of each slice of bread. Place them (butter side down) onto a pan, making sure the heat is OFF at this point.
- Spread your Cranberry sauce first, then place your Brie, followed by Bacon topped with Chilli Flakes. Top with your final two slices of bread, squish down with your hands then butter the top.
- Turn on heat and fry each side for around 5-6 mins over medium heat, or until golden brown on the outside and gooey in the middle.
Notes:
a) Chilli Flakes – Even if you’re not a fan of spice, I do encourage just a pinch of chilli flakes. The spice helps balance out the sweet and salty components of this recipe and adds a gorgeous heat to the cranberry sauce.
b) Cranberry Sauce Sub – Most sweet jams will work great in this context. Blueberry and blackberry especially go well with bacon and brie.
c) Can I use Camembert? – Camembert has a slightly pour pungent flavour, but if you know you like it then it can be subbed for the brie. I just prefer brie for it’s subtle and creamy flavour!
d) Calories – Per grilled cheese.
Nutrition:
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance.
The Eatery 
One Comment Add yours