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 flavours, 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!
If you’re looking for more toasties to get those taste buds tingling then check these beauties out:
Creative Grilled Cheese Recipes
- Breakfast Grilled Cheese
- Leftover Turkey Grilled Cheese
- Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Maple Bacon Grilled Cheese
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this brie grilled cheese shall we?!
How to make a Cranberry, Bacon & Brie Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)
Cranberry Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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 2 of them (butter side down) into 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 (butter side up).
- Turn on heat to medium and fry each side until golden brown on the outside and gooey in the middle.
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
If you loved this Brie Grilled Cheese recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
22 Comments
Judith Simpson
November 27, 2021 at 10:29 pmMy husband really fancied a bacon and brie sandwich for breakfast this morning, so I had a quick search for a recipe, having never made one before (!). Unfortunately, I didn’t have any cranberry sauce and given the weather (Storm Arwen) no way was I going to go out and buy some, but this recipe gave me a perfect basic method and I’ll definitely try it again, but next time with all of the ingredients!
Chris Collins
November 28, 2021 at 1:05 pmGreat to hear, Judith! Hope you get to try it with the cranberry sauce 🙂
Carole
January 18, 2019 at 3:55 pmOh my! I may have to go shopping today just to try this out! Brie AND bacon AND cranberry sauce all on a grilled sandwich?!!! Oooooh I’m just DYING to try it! It can’t possibly be anything but wonderful! Thank you for you creativity!
Chris
January 18, 2019 at 3:57 pmCarole! You’ve so got to try it! It’s better than you’d ever imagine
Simonette
November 15, 2017 at 10:51 amOMG it looks good!
Chris
November 15, 2017 at 4:02 pmThanks!! 🙂
Kate
November 3, 2017 at 3:06 pmBrie and cranberry are such a winning combo – but I love that you’ve added chilli as well!
Chris
November 3, 2017 at 5:11 pmChilli is the key!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
November 3, 2017 at 2:51 pmLoving everything about this grilled cheese! I’ve had cranberry and brie and it’s absolutely fantabulous together!
Chris
November 3, 2017 at 2:53 pmThe best combo ever right!?
Sarah
November 3, 2017 at 1:52 pmOMG, total comfort food right here! I’m such a sucker for brie… beautiful photos!
Chris
November 3, 2017 at 2:18 pmThanks, Sarah! Isn’t Brie just the best!?
Gabriel
November 3, 2017 at 1:41 pmOh wow… This is going on my list of things to try on my next cheat day! Bacon, brie and cranberry jam with a spicy kick? I say pure genius. Thank You!
Chris
November 3, 2017 at 2:17 pmYes! Definitely book it in for your next cheat day! Thanks for your kind words 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin
November 3, 2017 at 1:38 pmHappened on your blog through FBC today and you sure have a fine collection of delicious yet simple recipes – like this gorgeously wrapped AND scrumptious cranberry and bacon(YEAH!) grilled brie cheese!
Happy weekend – hoping you get to sleep on some rocks during it 🙂
Chris
November 3, 2017 at 2:16 pmThank you for your kind words, Shashi! Have a fantabulous weekend too 🙂
Linda
June 20, 2017 at 11:03 pmGrilled cheese sandwiches are my absolute favorite, and it couldn’t get better than with these ingredients.
Chris
June 21, 2017 at 7:25 pmThanks, Linda! Grilled cheese sandwiches can do no wrong for me!
Donna L Clark
June 20, 2017 at 9:03 pmFirstly I love the name dontgobaconmyheart . at 6:59 am this post made my mouth drool and if I had everything on hand I would be making this for breakfast!
Chris
June 21, 2017 at 7:26 pmThanks, Donna! No matter what time of the day, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches have the same effect on me!! Glad I’m not alone!
Chloe
June 20, 2017 at 8:43 pmYour food is always thought out, it looks colorful, and tasty will definitely be trying out this grilled cheese sandwhich! Yum yum
Chris
June 21, 2017 at 7:24 pmThank you for your support clocks, I mean Chloe.