Baked Brie Bread with Autumn Salad

Indulge in the flavors of fall with this Baked Brie Bread topped with rich pumpkin butter and creamy brie, all melted to perfection on slices of ciabatta. Finished with a crisp autumn apple, walnut, and cranberry salad, it’s the perfect appetizer to celebrate the season.

As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing better than impressing guests with a warm, delicious appetizer that blends savory and sweet flavors. Enter this Baked Brie Bread with Autumn Salad—a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that pairs gooey melted brie with crisp, fall-inspired salad toppings. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or preparing for a holiday gathering, this recipe is the perfect balance of flavors and textures that will elevate your appetizer game.

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can prepare this elegant appetizer in under 30 minutes. It’s great for first-time cooks or seasoned pros looking for a no-fuss option.
• Versatile: The autumn salad can be customized with your favorite seasonal fruits, nuts, and greens, and you can experiment with different types of bread or brie varieties.
• Perfect for Entertaining: The combination of warm bread, melty brie cheese, and crunchy pecans is sure to wow your guests, making it the perfect recipe for any holiday gathering.

Supplies Needed

• Baking sheet or sheet pan
• Knife for slicing the bread and brie
• Mixing bowls (one for salad, one for dressing)
• Whisk or fork for mixing the dressing

Ingredients

Bread and Brie

At the heart of this recipe is a loaf of ciabatta bread and a wheel of brie. Ciabatta is a great choice because of its soft interior and crisp exterior, but sourdough bread or a round loaf of bread would also work well if you prefer a sturdier texture. Brie cheese is the star, offering a soft, creamy, and gooey center when melted. If you want to explore different flavors, you can swap brie for camembert as well. 

Pumpkin Butter 

Pumpkin butter adds a subtle sweetness that complements the brie. You could swap this out for fig jam, cranberry sauce, or even brown sugar if pumpkin isn’t your thing. Try my maple pumpkin butter recipe to pair with this bread. 

Salad Toppings

The autumn salad includes seasonal ingredients like honey crisp apples, dried cranberries, and candied pecans, which bring both crunch and sweetness. Pepitas and arugula provide a peppery bite, rounding out the fall flavors perfectly.

Salad Dressing

The dressing for the autumn salad features olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup, creating a sweet and tangy blend. You can substitute balsamic vinegar for a richer taste or use honey instead of maple syrup if you prefer. This dressing ties everything together, making it a great companion for both the salad and the warm bread.

How to Make the Baked Brie Bread

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Slice your ciabatta bread lengthwise, creating two halves, and place them on a baking sheet. Use a spatula to evenly spread pumpkin butter across the top of the bread. Then, slice your brie cheese into thin slices—about ¼ inch thick—and layer them on top of the pumpkin butter. Place the bread into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the brie has melted into gooey goodness. Look for the cheese to turn golden brown around the edges.

How to Make the Autumn Salad

While the bread is baking, prepare your autumn salad. In a large bowl, toss together arugula, diced honey crisp apples, dried cranberries, pepitas, and candied pecans. This mixture is full of texture and fall flavors, making it the perfect topping for the warm brie bread.

To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and dried thyme in a small bowl. Adjust the seasoning as needed, tasting for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Once mixed, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Assembly and Serving

When the bread is done baking, remove it from the oven. The brie should be perfectly melted, creating a soft cheese layer over the warm bread. Immediately top each half with the arugula salad mixture. The contrast between the warm, melted brie and the cool, crisp salad adds layers of flavor and texture.

For serving, slice the brie bread into manageable pieces and arrange them on a platter. This dish pairs wonderfully with a glass of wine or a light cocktail, like a Bud Light Seltzer or something more festive. You can also serve this as a side dish alongside a savory main course or as an elegant appetizer for any fall occasion.

This baked brie bread recipe is not only easy to prepare but also perfect for fall gatherings. The combination of melty brie, warm bread, and fresh autumn salad makes it a show-stopping appetizer that will become a favorite for any holiday season.

More Recipes To Try

Brie Sliders Recipe

Smoked Brie with Honey and Chorizo

Smoked Pork Loin Stuffed with Apples and Brie

Brie Fondue