Soooo cheesy! This fruit and nut topped Baked Brie Recipe is ooey-gooey perfection. And it’s such an easy appetizer to make for your festive holiday parties!
Each year as the holiday season approaches, I get more and more serious about my Thanksgiving and Christmas appetizer lists. I compile my favorites and edit them based on who will be coming over, and what was gobbled up in years past.
Leaving out trays of savory deviled eggs and sweet nutty peppermint chocolate bark is usually quite successful. I love watching food disappear before my very eyes, and the satisfied look on the faces of those eating it!
This fruit and nut covered baked brie recipe has been an absolute winner in the past. So much so, that I wanted to share it with you today!
If ooey-gooey cheesy appetizers are your thing, then this one’s for you!
What does this baked brie recipe taste like?
Brie cheese on its own is creamy and soft with a buttery, earthy, slightly salty flavor profile.
It’s then baked with a glaze of pure maple syrup that adds a subtle sweetness – without becoming cloying or overpowering. Then a mixture of apples, dried cranberries and nuts is placed on top that truly covers the gamut of sweet, nutty, savory and tart.
There’s such a varied balance of flavors at play that your taste buds will rejoice from all that’s going on in one bite!
Now, this isn’t a brie en croute (a brie wheel wrapped in puff pastry then baked). The brie cheese in this recipe is baked on its own (with maple syrup) and then topped with fruit and nuts.
Think of it almost like a fondue that hasn’t been completely liquified. It’s perfect for dipping and spreading on your favorite crackers!
What is Brie?
Brie is a soft French cheese made of cow’s milk, typically sold in small rounds. Although similar to camembert, brie is usually the milder flavored of the two – and is one of the most well known soft cheeses in the world.
The soft, white rind is actually a mold growth that protects the soft, gooey goodness inside.
Can you eat the brie cheese rind?
Yes! In fact the rind is delicious. Cheesemakers spend a lot of time and effort making sure that the flavor of the rind complements that of the cheese.
A good brie will have a rind that has earthy umami notes to partner with the mild creaminess of the cheese inside.
Ingredients for Baked Brie appetizer
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: We’ll be using this to saute the apples. When it comes to olive oil, use some of the good, first-press stuff for this baked brie cheese recipe.
- Apple: I prefer Honeycrisp apples for this recipe. The mixture of tart and sweet works so well with the other elements. If you can’t find Honeycrisp at your local shop, Fuji apples will totally work.
- Salt: You’ll just need a pinch of salt when cooking the apples. I use Kosher salt. The large salt crystals make it harder to oversalt your food (unlike the small crystals found in typical iodized table salt).
- Pecans or Walnuts: Use whatever you have handy – or a combination of the two. They’re delicious, and add a great texture element to this brie recipe.
- Dried Cranberries: Tart and sweet, these chewy dried fruit are a must!
- Brie Cheese: About an 8 ounce wheel (or slice) is all you’ll need. I like using French brie – but there are good domestic versions at your local shop as well.
- Pure Maple Syrup: The perfect way to add holiday sweetness without being overpowering. However, I totally advise against using something like mass produced pancake syrup. Those are more corn syrup than anything. Again, use the good stuff. You can find 100% pure maple syrup at the grocery store – or pick it up on Amazon.
- Sliced Baguette or Crackers: These are your dippers. However, use anything you’d like! Flatbreads are great – and sliced vegetable sticks like carrots, radishes and celery are heavenly as well!
How to make baked brie
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil, chopped apples and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes, or until apples have softened but still retain a little crunch.
- Transfer your apples to a bowl along with dried cranberries and nuts. Toss and set aside.
- Place the brie wheel in an oven proof bowl or casserole dish and pour maple syrup on top. Cover and bake for 12 minutes, until the cheese has softened but isn’t completely melted.
- Transfer the brie wheel to a plate, top with the apple mixture and pour the hot maple syrup from the casserole dish on top. Serve with baguette or crackers.
It’s so easy. And SO delicious!
What to serve with baked brie
This baked brie recipe easily pairs with crackers, flatbreads and vegetables. Think of it almost as a fondue (but a bit more solid in texture). If you think the flavors of your edible dipping implements will will work, chances are you’re right!
Aside from the obvious breads and crackers though, this warm and soft fruit and nut covered brie wheel is pretty dang amazing on its own. I’ve been known to spoon it up and eat it plain (ahem… when no one is looking of course, ha!).
And it’s easy – especially around the holidays – to put a bunch of small plates out and let your guests nibble when they feel the urge. Check out these other festive and easy appetizer recipes:
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Japanese Bagna Càuda
- Oven Baked Za’atar Fries
- Avocado and Cheese Dumplings
- Edamame With Soy + Sesame
Did you like this Baked Brie Recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
Baked Brie
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
This fruity, nutty baked brie recipe is ooey-gooey cheesy perfection!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small apple (green for a less sweet dish, or red such as Honeycrisp of Fuji), cored, peeled, and finely chopped
- Pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1 8-ounce brie wheel or slice
- 3 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- Sliced baguette or crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil, chopped apples and a pinch of salt – and cook for 5 minutes, until apples have softened but still retain a little crunch.
- Transfer apples to a bowl along with dried cranberries and nuts. Toss and set aside.
- Place the brie wheel in an oven proof bowl or casserole dish and pour maple syrup on top. Cover and bake for 13-15 minutes, until the cheese has softened but isn’t completely melted.
- Transfer the brie wheel to a plate, top with the apple mixture and pour the hot maple syrup from the casserole dish on top. Serve with baguette or crackers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 8.5 g
- Sodium: 179.9 mg
- Fat: 14.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.5 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 6.7 g
- Cholesterol: 28.4 mg
I am definitely going to make this for my family’s Christmas Eve celebration! I’d better make two or three though as I’m sure people will gobble it up!