Baked Brie

Baked Brie is one of the simplest appetizer recipes, yet it is always a crowd-pleaser! As the brie cheese bakes, the center becomes soft and creates a luscious, rich, melty cheese dip perfect for serving with crackers, fruit, and bread.

The Perfect Appetizer

No one can resist a gooey, melted, warm cheese. And baking brie is the EASIEST way to create a gooey cheese dip that is swoon-worthy!

This Baked Brie will become an entertaining staple--with good reason!

• The easiest appetizer recipe. Seriously, it only takes 2 minutes to prep baked brie and you only need a wheel of brie cheese. Talk about easy!
• Affordable. While brie cheese is not the cheapest cheese on the market, you don't NEED any other ingredients to create a warm, heavenly dip. And most wheels of brie can be purchased for about $5.
• Impressive. It is show-stopping to cut into a brie after it bakes and watch the center ooze out. It is beautiful--and enticing!
• Delicious. I don't think I need to say much about just how fabulous melted brie tastes--it is cheese after all! That said, baked brie is flavorful and really makes a memorable addition to a charcuterie board or cheese platter or as the star appetizer!

Notes on Ingredients

• Brie Cheese: The ONLY thing you need for baked brie, is brie cheese. Any size, any brand works well for this recipe. I typically prepare an 8-ounce wheel, but you can even use a wedge of brie purchased from the deli if desired.
• Flavoring Suggestions: I love to top the brie with jam or honey to add a sweet contrast to the earthy, savory cheese. Adding nuts, dried fruit, and herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, are all great options that complement the flavor of brie as well.
• Accompaniments: When it comes to what to serve with the baked brie, I suggest crackers, grapes, apples, and crostini.

How to Bake Brie

• Unwrap the cheese, be sure to remove any thin layer of parchment paper or wax paper covering the cheese, and place the brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a shallow baking dish.

• Since filming and photographing the recipe, I have discovered if you score the wheel of brie, it will be easier to scoop out the melting cheese. Not scoring the cheese, makes for beautiful slicing. If you want to score the wheel of brie, use a small pairing knife score just through the rind, trying not to pierce the brie itself. I recommend a checkerboard design, by cutting 3-4 horizontal and 3-4 vertical lines through the rind of the cheese.
• If using jam, add 2-3 tablespoons of the jam to the center of the wheel of brie. The jam will warm with the cheese and spread slowly over the surface of the cheese.

• Bake the cheese in the oven until it is warmed through. You will know it is ready when you push on and it feels really soft.
• If desired, top with chopped nuts or fresh chopped herbs and then serve immediately with fruit, crackers, etc.

Flavor Variations

Baked Brie can be served plain or dressed up in a variety of ways.

• Add a sweet jam, like raspberry jam, fig jam, or apricot jam prior to baking the brie.
• Top the baked brie with chopped nuts. Chopped walnut, pecans, pistachios, or even honey-roasted nuts work well with the brie cheese.
• Fresh rosemary or fresh thyme pairs well with the cheese, even when using a sweet jam. Add 1-2 teaspoons of chopped rosemary or thyme if desired.
• Drizzle the baked brie with honey or maple syrup after baking.
• For a savory variation, top the brie after baking with a tomato bruschetta mixture, made with chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
• If you would like to wrap your brie in puff pastry, simply place an 8-ounce wheel of brie in the center of 1 sheet of defrosted, frozen puff pastry. Top with jam if desired, and then wrap in the puff pastry, trimming off the excess. Brush the exposed puff pastry with an egg wash and trim the excess. Bake at 350 degrees F for 28-32 minutes or until the puff pastry is browned and cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

While I can eat the melted brie with a spoon, it is much more party-friendly to serve with a variety of crackers, crusty bread, sliced apples, grapes, or in accompaniment with a cheese or charcuterie board.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover brie, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can rebake the cheese to rewarm or slice and use it on sandwiches or to make an epic grilled cheese sandwich.

More Holiday Appetizers

• Antipasto Skewers
• Bacon-Wrapped Dates
• Deviled Eggs
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Crab Cakes

If you enjoyed this recipe for Baked Brie, I would love for you to leave a review and a comment below.