Baked Brie Is a 4-Ingredient Appetizer Full of Gooey, Cheesy Goodness — So Easy to Make!
This chef's trick helps turn the soft cheese into liquid gold in 30 minutes
If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive appetizer to make for your next gathering, you can’t go wrong with baked brie! This snack takes a small wheel of brie cheese and bakes it to golden and melty perfection. Then, the baked brie is topped with fruit jam for a hint of sweetness and served with toasted bread, crackers or apple slices for dipping. The combination of rich flavors and textures makes this a simple appetizer that’s sure to impress. The best part? It’s so simple to whip up with just 4 ingredients! Keep reading for tips on making delicious baked brie with jam along with a couple of simple recipes.
What is brie cheese?
Brie is a soft French cheese that’s made with cow’s milk. This cheese is known for its mild, buttery flavor and its white outer rind that encases the pale golden interior. Brie’s smooth taste makes it versatile to use in sweet or savory recipes. Plus, it’s sold in the dairy aisle alongside other cheeses like Swiss and gouda — making it easy to buy and bake.
How baked brie with jam is made
Baked brie often involves placing the cheese in the oven to cook until it’s melted and then topping it with fruit jam or other accompaniments. That said, some recipes call for wrapping the brie in puff pastry as it acts as a crunchy shell that holds in the cheese while it bakes. Either way, baked brie is a wow-worthy appetizer that’s best served hot to enjoy the gooey center.
Chef’s #1 secret to gooey baked brie
To ensure the cheese melts evenly in the oven, Julie Pollitt, founder and blogger at Back To My Southern Roots, suggests allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes after taking it out of the fridge. This softens the interior slightly so turns into liquid gold later on. Once rested, it’s optional if you want to trim the rind or not. “You can remove the top rind of the brie to make it easier to dip into, but it’s not necessary since the rind is edible,” she says. With this in mind, the brie is now ready to use in your favorite baked cheese recipe!
2 yummy recipes for baked brie with jam
These baked brie recipes won’t disappoint when you’re craving a toss-together snack to enjoy with crackers or another crunchy dipper of your choice!
Puff Pastry Baked Brie
This recipe from Pollitt places a dollop of jam such as fig, apricot, raspberry or cranberry under the crust before baking, then finishes with another dollop once it’s out of the oven for extra fruity goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz. brie cheese wheel
- 2 to 3 Tbs. of your favorite fruit jam + more (for serving)
- 1 egg white, beaten
Directions:
- Active: 10 mins mins
- Total time: 40 mins
- Yield: 20 servings
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll puff pastry onto baking sheet and place brie in center of pastry. Top cheese with 2 to 3 Tbs. jam, spreading to edges. Fold edges of puff pastry over brie, sealing it at top.
- Brush top of pastry-filled with egg white. You can brush some of the egg whites between the puff pastry layers to help seal them.
- Bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and cheese is melted. Place baked brie on platter and top with extra jam (if desired). Slice into pastry crust and dip away!
Note: The baked cheese will stay melty for about 15 minutes, but spreadable for around 30 minutes.
Baked Brie With Fruit and Thyme
With just 5 ingredients, our test kitchen’s recipe for this treat is decadently delicious yet a cinch to put together.
Ingredients:
- 12 (½-inch thick) slices crusty French bread, about 6 oz.
- 1 (8 oz.) whole round Brie cheese
- 1½ tsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 3 fresh figs, quartered or 3 Tbs. fig jam
- 4 Tbs. honey, warmed + additional (optional)
Directions:
- Active: 20 mins
- Total time: 35 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Heat oven to 350°F. Place bread slices on baking sheet in single layer. Coat both sides of each slice with cooking spray. Bake, turning once, until toasted, about 3 min. per side.
- Cut 12 slits in top of brie; insert thyme leaves. Place Brie in 1½-quart baking dish. Bake until Brie is softened, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Arrange toasted bread slices around cheese. Add figs or side of fig jam, then drizzle with honey. If desired, serve with additional honey. Enjoy by dipping bread slices into cheese.
Bonus make-ahead trick for easy serving!
If you’re making baked brie with jam for a party, Pollitt says you can prep it beforehand to bake when you’re ready. “The entire baked brie appetizer can be assembled ahead of time, but wait to brush the outsides with egg wash until just before baking,” she explains. “Wrap the assembled brie tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days (depending on the freshness of your cheese).” A cheesy appetizer that’s stress-free to serve is a win-win if you ask us!
Keep reading for more delicious snack recipes:
Love Pigs in a Blanket? These Bagel Dogs Are Even *More* Delicious — and Easy to Make!
This ‘Lazy’ Cannoli Dip Recipe Will Be the Star of Your Holiday Party
Air-Fryer Appetizers: 15 Deliciously Easy Recipes Perfect for Game Day and More!
