When the holiday season rolls around, nothing captures the cozy spirit quite like a loaf of homemade sourdough—especially when it’s filled with creamy brie and bright cranberry. This Festive Sourdough Brie & Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread is a showstopping centerpiece for any Sourdough Bread Christmas table, blending tangy dough, rich cheese, and sparkling red fruit into one warm, tear-apart delight. Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread feast or planning treats for Sourdough for Christmas gatherings, this loaf celebrates everything comforting about winter baking. A perfect Fall Sourdough Bread idea, it turns a Christmas Sourdough Bread into a memory worth sharing.
Holiday Baking and Family Sharing Memories
The scent of bread baking on a chilly December morning has a way of wrapping the whole house in warmth. I still remember waking up to that comforting aroma—my mother’s sourdough rising in the oven, crackling as it baked to golden perfection. On Christmas Eve, our family would gather around the table, pulling apart soft pieces of bread, watching ribbons of melted brie stretch like snowflakes, and spooning on cranberry sauce that shimmered like rubies.
That moment—hands reaching, laughter echoing, stories shared between bites—became the heartbeat of our Sourdough Bread Christmas tradition. It wasn’t just about the food, but about the togetherness that came with it. Each loaf carried the silent rhythm of conversation and connection, the way winter’s stillness makes us pause and appreciate what’s right in front of us.
As years passed, baking sourdough became an unspoken ritual before Thanksgiving and Christmas. The process—feeding the starter, mixing the dough, watching it rise—felt meditative. The tang of sourdough hinted of patience, of time well spent. When folded with brie and cranberry, it transformed into something special: Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread and Christmas Sourdough Bread combined in one creation. It offered a taste of nostalgia, reminding us that warmth doesn’t just come from the oven—it comes from the people we share our bread with.
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Festive Sourdough Brie & Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread
- Total Time: 7 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Description
A holiday-ready pull-apart sourdough loaf filled with creamy brie and tart cranberry sauce. Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings, this bread is as festive in flavor as it is in appearance, offering a cozy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. In a large bowl combine sourdough starter and warm water, stir to dissolve.
2. Add flour and salt, mix until a shaggy dough forms, then let rest 30 minutes for autolyse.
3. Knead by hand 5–7 minutes or with a stand mixer until dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover and bulk ferment 4–6 hours, performing 2–3 stretch and folds at 60–90 minute intervals.
5. Roll dough into a 12×14 inch rectangle, cut into 3-inch squares, place brie and cranberry in the center of each, fold edges to seal and stack in a greased loaf pan.
6. Cover and proof 1½–2 hours until puffy, then preheat oven to 375°F and brush the top with melted butter and herbs.
7. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown, let cool 10 minutes, brush with honey or maple syrup if desired, and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: bread
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
Keywords: sourdough bread christmas, sourdough for christmas, fall sourdough bread, thanksgiving sourdough bread, christmas sourdough bread, pull-apart bread, holiday bread
Each year, as the lights twinkle and carols drift through the kitchen, this bread reminds me that baking isn’t simply cooking—it’s storytelling. And no story feels more alive than one told with the scent of sourdough and the laughter of family filling the room.
The Ingredients That Tell a Holiday Story
Every ingredient in this bread contributes to a larger narrative of holiday flavor and meaning. Sourdough, with its natural tang and chew, acts as the foundation—a comforting reminder of tradition, time, and care. Brie, on the other hand, adds creamy luxury, balancing the sour tang with its soft richness. It melts into tiny pockets of indulgence, making every bite feel like a gift.
Cranberry anchors this loaf squarely in holiday territory. Whether you use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread feasts or a freshly made batch simmered with orange peel and cinnamon, its ruby hue provides both color and cheer. The tartness dances with the brie’s smoothness and sourdough’s complexity to create a story of contrast and harmony—sweet, savory, and tangy, all intertwined. More than a recipe, it’s a culinary collage of seasonal flavor—a Fall Sourdough Bread tradition bridging autumn’s harvest with winter’s celebrations.
Ingredients for the Perfect Pull-Apart Bread
This recipe yields one large loaf, ideal for a Sourdough Bread Christmas dinner or cozy brunch. It’s easily doubled for gifting—an edible Sourdough for Christmas present capturing the season’s warmth.
| Component | Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dough | Active sourdough starter | 100g | Fed within 4–6 hours |
| Dough | Warm water | 200g | About 80°F / 26°C |
| Dough | All-purpose flour | 350g | Strong bread flour works too |
| Dough | Salt | 7g (approx. 1¼ tsp) | Fine sea salt preferred |
| Filling | Brie cheese | 150g | Cut into cubes |
| Filling | Cranberry sauce | ½ cup | Homemade or store-bought |
| Topping | Butter (melted) | 2 tbsp | Brushed before baking |
| Topping | Fresh herbs | 1 tbsp | Optional rosemary or thyme |
| Optional glaze | Honey or maple syrup | 1 tbsp | For shine |
Substitution Ideas: Camembert works in place of brie; raspberry or fig preserves substitute for cranberries in a Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread variation. Add chopped nuts for texture or extra herbs for fragrance.
Step-by-Step Method
- Mix the Dough: Combine active starter and warm water, stir in flour and salt, and rest 30 minutes. Knead by hand or mixer until smooth and elastic.
- Bulk Ferment: Cover and let rise until doubled (4–6 hours). Perform two “stretch and folds” to strengthen structure.
- Shape and Fill: Roll dough into a 12×14-inch rectangle, cut into squares, and fill each with brie and cranberry. Stack in a greased loaf pan or arrange as a circle.
- Second Proof: Cover and rest 1½–2 hours until puffy.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Brush with butter and sprinkle herbs.
- Bake: Bake 30–35 minutes until golden (internal temperature 195°F/90°C). Tent with foil if browning fast.
- Serve: Cool slightly; brush with honey or syrup for shine. Present warm for that perfect Christmas Sourdough Bread moment.
Tips: Keep proofing temperature around 75°F (24°C). A lively starter ensures a light loaf. Reheat at 325°F (160°C) before serving. Refrigerate formed dough overnight for stress-free holiday baking.
Ways to Serve and Celebrate
Present your bread on a rustic board surrounded by rosemary sprigs and cranberries, or bake in a ring with cranberry sauce in the center for dipping. During Sourdough Bread Christmas gatherings, pair with mulled wine, spiced cider, or white wine. Serve with honey-glazed ham, roasted vegetables, or soups for a comforting Fall Sourdough Bread touch.
It’s equally fitting for brunch. Picture guests pulling apart warm sections between coffee sips—it feels communal and joyful. Wrap the loaf in parchment and ribbon with a rosemary sprig as a thoughtful Sourdough for Christmas gift. Whatever the occasion, the act of passing it around connects everyone in cheerful togetherness.
Variations to Enjoy Year After Year
- Caramelized Onion & Walnut: Sweet onions and toasted nuts for savory richness—ideal beside stews or roasted meats.
- Fig or Apricot Jam: Use preserves for a sophisticated Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread flavor.
- Apple Butter Loaf: Add thin apple slices and drizzle maple syrup for autumn warmth.
- Herb & Garlic Bread: Replace cranberry with aromatic herbs and garlic for a dinner roll alternative at Sourdough Bread Christmas feasts.
- Pear & Blue Cheese: Swap brie for blue cheese with thin pear slices for a gourmet Sourdough for Christmas brunch option.
- Festive Nut & Spice: Stir in pecans and orange zest to enhance aroma and celebration.
- Leftover Sandwiches: Use cooled slices for turkey-and-brie sandwiches or cube for savory bread pudding—a clever Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread reuse.
Each variation captures a new note of festivity while maintaining the same warm heart. The bread evolves alongside your family traditions—always delicious, always shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes. Complete the first rise a day ahead, then refrigerate shaped dough overnight. Let proof before baking for effortless timing during Sourdough Bread Christmas prep.
How do I store leftovers?
Cool completely and wrap in foil or an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature. Avoid refrigeration; reheat gently to restore softness and aroma.
Can I freeze the loaf?
Wrap cooled bread in plastic and foil; freeze up to one month. Thaw overnight, then rewarm at 325°F (160°C) for about 15 minutes—brie becomes molten again, and cranberry regains shine.
How should I reheat for gatherings?
For full loaves, wrap in foil and warm 10–15 minutes at 325°F. For single portions, use a toaster oven or air fryer at low heat. Perfect for Sourdough for Christmas brunches.
Can I bake without a starter?
Replace the starter with 2 tsp instant yeast, increase flour to 400g and water to 220g. The rise shortens to roughly 1 hour. The tang lessens, but flavor remains festive.
Any tips for preventing filling leaks?
Seal dough corners securely. Small leaks caramelize delightfully, giving rustic beauty and depth of taste.
Is a dairy-free version possible?
Use plant-based cheese and butter alternatives with the same balance of sweet and tangy cranberry flavor—an inclusive option for any table.
Savoring the Season, One Tear at a Time
Bread has always been about sharing, and this Festive Sourdough Brie & Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread for Christmas embodies that perfectly. Its golden crust, creamy interior, and jewel-toned cranberry filling provide comfort as rich as its aroma. Every slice reminds us of the joy that comes from simple acts—baking, breaking, and giving.
Baking sourdough during the holidays connects us to patience and creativity, symbols of time well spent. It celebrates imperfections—browned edges, melted cheese escapes—as proof of authenticity. These “flaws” are where memories live, captured in the laughter surrounding the table.
So this season, take time to slow down and savor the process. Let the scent of freshly baked bread carry gratitude through your home. Shared among family or gifted as a warm loaf, it becomes more than food—it becomes tradition. With each pull-apart piece of this Festive Sourdough Brie & Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread for Christmas, you’re tasting togetherness, love, and the spirit of the season itself.
