Patrick Oconnell
Baked brie is a popular appetiser or party starter that can be made in under 15 minutes. It is made by baking a wheel of brie in the oven or microwave and serving it with toppings and crackers. The rind of the brie is edible, but some people prefer to remove it before baking. Baked brie can also be made by wrapping the cheese in puff pastry and baking it in the oven. This creates a rich and luxurious dish that is perfect for holiday gatherings or cocktail parties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10-20 minutes in the oven or 2 minutes in the microwave |
| Toppings | Honey, maple syrup, jam, marmalade, hot pepper jelly, rosemary, pecans, walnuts, thyme, cranberries, figs, grapes, apples, pears |
| Sides | Crackers, sliced baguette, grapes, apples, pears |
| Calories | 225.6kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8.4g |
| Protein | 11.1g |
| Saturated Fat | 8.5g |
| Potassium | 157.2mg |
| Fiber | 1.2g |
| Vitamin A | 288.7IU |
| Vitamin C | 0.7mg |
| Calcium | 99.9mg |
| Iron | 0.6mg |
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What You'll Learn
Baked brie with honey, maple syrup, or jam
Baked brie is a popular appetiser or party starter that can be made in a variety of ways, including with honey, maple syrup, or jam. It is known for its creamy, rich, and gooey texture, making it perfect for scooping up with crackers, baguette slices, crostini, or pita chips.
Preparation
To prepare the brie for baking, it is recommended to start with a cold wheel of brie, either 8 or 16 ounces, from the refrigerator. Scoring the top rind of the brie with parallel and perpendicular cuts about 1/2 inch apart can make it easier to remove the rind, which some people prefer not to eat. However, the rind is edible and can add flavour and structure to the baked cheese.
Baking
Once the brie is prepared, it can be baked in the oven for 8 to 15 minutes at 350°F, or in the microwave for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is soft and gooey. It is important not to let the brie get too warm before baking, as it may melt too much.
Toppings
When it comes to toppings, the options are endless. Honey, maple syrup, and jam all pair well with the creamy brie and can be drizzled on top before or after baking. Nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts, can add a crunchy texture, while dried fruit like apricots, figs, cranberries, and raisins can provide a sweet contrast. Fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme can also be added for an aromatic touch.
Serving
Baked brie is best served warm, but it is recommended to let it sit for a few minutes after baking to avoid serving it scorching hot. It can be served as part of a larger cheese board or as a standalone appetiser with various accompaniments, such as crackers, baguette slices, crostini, pita chips, or fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.
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Brie in puff pastry
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- 1 wheel of brie cheese (8-12 oz)
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., cranberry sauce, roasted nuts, honey, jam, rosemary, pecans, etc.)
- 1 beaten egg (for brushing the pastry)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F-400°F.
- Lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the puff pastry into an 11-inch square.
- Place the brie in the middle of the pastry. If using toppings, add them now.
- Wrap the brie with the pastry by folding the corners over and pressing the edges together neatly.
- Transfer the wrapped brie to the pie pan or baking sheet.
- Brush the pastry with the beaten egg, making sure to cover all sides and folds.
- Bake for 25-40 minutes, until the pastry is deep golden brown.
- Let the baked brie cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- You can make mini versions of this recipe by cutting the puff pastry into 3x3-inch squares and using 1-ounce mini brie wheels. Bake these for 25-30 minutes at 400°F.
- If you prefer, you can remove the rind from the brie before baking. This can help the pastry stick better and improve the presentation.
- For a sweeter version, try drizzling honey over the brie before baking or using sweet toppings such as jam, apricot preserves, or raspberry preserves.
- For a savoury twist, add some herbs or caramelised onions.
- You can prepare this dish in advance and keep it refrigerated for up to a day before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked, wrapped brie and bake it directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
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Brie cooking times
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with an edible rind and a mild, fruity flavour. It is often baked as an appetizer or starter, and can be served with crackers, fruit, or bread.
When baking brie in the oven, most sources recommend cooking it for 12 to 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C). This will result in a soft, gooey cheese that is beginning to ooze. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the brie and the desired level of melting. For a larger wheel of brie, you may need to bake it for slightly longer, and if you prefer your brie more melted, you can leave it in the oven for a few extra minutes.
Some recipes suggest removing the rind before baking, as it can be easier to slice and serve without it. However, the rind is completely edible and adds flavour to the dish, so it is a matter of personal preference. If you do choose to remove the rind, the cooking time will remain the same.
You can also bake brie in the microwave, which is a quicker option. When cooking brie in the microwave, it is important to keep a close eye on it, as it can melt very quickly. Most sources recommend microwaving brie for 2 minutes on high, checking it frequently to avoid overcooking.
Additionally, there are some recipes that call for a shorter baking time in the oven. For example, one recipe suggests baking brie for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it starts to ooze but not melt. This results in a less melted, slightly firmer texture.
It is important to let baked brie sit for a few minutes before serving, as it can be very hot. This will allow it to cool slightly and makes it safer to eat.
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Brie toppings
Baked brie is a popular appetiser or party starter that can be prepared in just 15 minutes in the oven or 2 minutes in the microwave. The soft, creamy cheese has a mildly fruity flavour and can be paired with a variety of toppings to create a unique dish.
One popular option is to top the brie with nuts such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or pine nuts. This adds a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour that pairs well with the cheese. Another option is to spread a sweet jam over the brie, such as fig, cherry, or apricot jam. This adds a fruity layer that complements the creaminess of the cheese. Honey or maple syrup can also be drizzled over the brie for a similar effect.
Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or even fresh cranberries can also be sprinkled on top to add an aromatic, earthy note. If you're feeling creative, you can try mixing pumpkin pie spice into caramel sauce and spreading it over the brie for a unique flavour profile. For a more savoury option, try spreading orange marmalade on the brie and topping it with chopped rosemary and pine nuts.
When serving baked brie, it is recommended to let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving to avoid it being too hot. It is also commonly served with crackers, crostini, or a sliced baguette on the side. Fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes can also be offered as accompaniments to complement the flavours of the brie and provide a refreshing contrast.
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Brie rind: to eat or not to eat?
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with an edible rind and a mild, fruity flavour. It is often baked and served as an appetizer or a party starter. Baked brie can be served with crackers, sliced baguette, or apple slices, and toppings such as honey, maple syrup, nuts, rosemary, and thyme.
Edibility of Brie Rind
The rind of brie cheese is completely edible and can be consumed along with the cheese. In fact, the rind adds to the flavour and complexity of the cheese. However, some people prefer not to eat the rind due to its tougher texture in comparison to the soft interior of the cheese.
Preparing Baked Brie with the Rind Intact
When baking brie, leaving the rind on helps to hold the cheese together. The rind also provides a surface to spread toppings such as jam, honey, or nuts. To prepare baked brie with the rind on, score the top of the rind with a serrated knife, creating parallel cuts about 1/2 inch apart. Then turn the brie 90 degrees and make perpendicular cuts, forming a crosshatch pattern. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as this could cause the cheese to lose its shape during baking.
Removing the Brie Rind
If you prefer to remove the rind before baking, it is safe to do so. Removing the top rind can be especially useful when wrapping the brie in puff pastry, as it helps the crust stick to the melted cheese and improves the presentation. The cooking time remains the same whether you choose to leave the rind on or remove it.
In conclusion, whether you choose to eat the brie rind or not is a matter of personal preference. The rind is edible and adds flavour nuances to the cheese, but it can also be removed if desired, especially when creating baked brie recipes with puff pastry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't have to cook brie cheese. It can be eaten straight from the fridge. However, baking brie is a popular way to serve the cheese, and it is often served as an appetiser.
To cook brie cheese, preheat your oven to 350°F. Unwrap the cheese and place it on a small piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. You can also add toppings like honey, maple syrup, rosemary, or nuts. Bake for 10-20 minutes, depending on how soft you want the cheese to be.
Yes, you can cook brie cheese in the microwave. Place the cheese in a microwave-safe dish and cook for 30 seconds to start with. You can then cook it for longer if needed.
