Whip up a show-stopping appetizer for any gathering in just 30 minutes! Every time I make this for a dinner party, everyone begs me for the recipe.
The ooey-gooey cheese is topped with caramelized pears and crunchy walnuts, plus a touch of rosemary.
It’s like a warm hug for your tastebuds. The flavors and textures meld together in the most heavenly way. Creamy, sweet, savory, crunchy, it’s got it all!
Plus, it looks so elegant and fancy, no one will know how easy it is to put together. It’s a true winner!
Baked Brie
You can’t go wrong with baked brie topped with caramelized fruit, walnuts, and fresh herbs. And it’s so easy to make!
I love serving it with an assortment of crackers, a sliced baguette, and crisp apple slices for dipping.
My recipe includes instructions for making caramelized pears from scratch. But feel free to use store-bought or jam to keep it simple.
Skip the tired old cheese plate and treat your friends to this stunning baked brie. But be warned, you might have to fight them for the last gooey bite!
Ingredients
For this easy yet impressive appetizer, you only need a few pantry staples.
- Brie – The delicious base. It gets extra lava-like and oozes when baked.
- Caramelized Pears – Thinly sliced pears are cooked in brown butter and honey until tender, sweet, and golden brown.
- Chopped Walnuts – Their nutty crunch adds the perfect textural contrast.
- Rosemary – It perfumes the cheese and gives it a hint of earthy and woodsy flavors.
- Crispy Bread or Crackers – The vessels for swiping that oozy brie. French bread or plain crackers work best!
Do You Have to Remove the Rind?
Not at all. The rind is edible, and you won’t even taste it.
I like leaving it on for the presentation. It gives you the perfect platform to pile on the pears and nuts.
Plus, when you slice into the wheel after baking, the rind cuts like butter. The gooey brie spills out so beautifully!
How to Make Baked Brie
Here’s how to make an impressive appetizer in just 30 minutes.
1. Prep. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the brie sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
2. Caramelize the pears. In a skillet, cook the pears in butter and honey for 5 minutes until soft and golden.
3. Top and bake. Top the brie with caramelized pears, nuts, and rosemary. Bake for 20-25 minutes until melted and bubbly.
4. Cool, then serve. Let cool slightly before serving with bread or crackers. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
Simple tweaks can make a big difference in taste and presentation. Follow those tips for the best baked brie:
- It’s ok to be cheap. Fancy brie isn’t necessary. Cheap brie or Camembert works beautifully.
- Go for a wheel. Rounded brie bakes more evenly and offers more surface for toppings. Plus, it just looks prettier.
- Don’t overbake it! Brie can toughen and lose its desirable oozy factor. When the edges begin to collapse slightly, it’s time to take it out.
- Let it rest Allow baked brie to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to reach the perfect consistency: still gooey but not too hot to enjoy.
- Watch the timeline. Baked brie stays scoopable for about 15 minutes in a ceramic dish. On paper, it’s gooey for 10 minutes, then spreadable with a knife for a bit longer.
Baked Brie Toppings
You have endless options for topping your brie. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
Jam – It infuses the cheese with bold fruity flavors. Try fig, orange, apricot, blackberry—the list goes on.
Blueberry or Cranberry Sauce – Tart and tangy fruit sauce adds a sweet and fruity bite.
Nuts – Apart from walnuts, try pistachios, almonds, or pecans for an irresistible crunch.
Serving Suggestions
These tasty accompaniments are the perfect partners for brie!
Sturdy crackers – They’re your best bet for scooping up all that melty cheese without breaking.
Drizzle of honey or maple syrup – Sweetness meets savory in the best way possible.
Fresh fruit – A bunch of grapes or apple slices adds a fresh contrast to the rich cheese.
Crostini – They offer a crunchy, warm base perfect for spreading the brie on.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
Here’s how to keep your baked brie tasting great, even after the party’s over.
To Store: Once cooled, transfer the brie to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Place the brie in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F until warm and melty again. You can also microwave in short bursts.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Baked Brie
2
servings10
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minutesTake your party to the next level with this baked brie recipe! Melty brie is topped with caramelized pears, walnuts, and rosemary for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
1 (8-12- ounce) wheel of brie cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish, optional
Crusty bread or crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius). Let the brie sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced pears and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the honey and cook for another minute, until bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Place the brie in a small baking dish or oven-safe ramekin. Spread the caramelized pears over the top of the brie.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the pears. If using, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the brie is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the brie from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or crackers for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute other fruits for the pears, such as figs, apples, or grapes.
- For an added touch, you can wrap the brie in puff pastry before baking. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pastry’s instructions.
