Kamil Perry
Baked brie is a delicious and elegant appetizer that is surprisingly easy to make. The gooey, rich cheese is a perfect base for a variety of toppings, both sweet and savoury. While some prefer the simplicity of baked brie with just a drizzle of honey, others load it up with nuts, fruits, herbs, and more. So, what are the best toppings for brie cheese? Let's explore some mouth-watering options that will take your baked brie to the next level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sweet toppings | Honey, maple syrup, Jam, coffee-flavoured liqueur, brown sugar, orange marmalade, caramel sauce, chocolate |
| Savoury toppings | Rosemary, Thyme, Pepper jelly, Cranberry sauce, Garlic, Crackers, Sourdough bread, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Pine nuts, Pumpkin pie spice, Bacon bits, black pepper |
| Fruits | Cherries, Raspberries, Grapes, Apples, Blackberries, Mangoes |
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What You'll Learn
Honey, pecans, and thyme
Baked brie with honey, pecans, and thyme is a delicious, rich, creamy, buttery, and crunchy combination. It is an easy-to-make, sweet and savory appetizer that can be served warm as an appetizer or a dessert.
To make this dish, start with an 8-ounce wheel of brie straight from the fridge. Place the cheese on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake it in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until it is soft and gooey. While the brie is baking, prepare the pecan mixture by heating honey and pecans in a small saucepan. Transfer the baked brie to a serving board and pour the honeyed pecans over the cheese, finishing with a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
This dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as crisp pita chips, apple slices, pear slices, crackers, or a French baguette for smearing. It can also be paired with fruit, such as grapes, strawberries, or figs.
Feel free to experiment with different types of honey, such as hot honey, or even replace the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. You can also add other ingredients like red pepper flakes or sea salt to give it a spicy or savory kick.
With its combination of sweet and savory flavors and easy preparation, baked brie with honey, pecans, and thyme is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.
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Cranberry sauce or chipotle jam
Cranberry sauce and chipotle jam are both popular topping choices for brie cheese.
Cranberry sauce is a well-known topping for brie, especially during the holidays. It is a simple combination of two ingredients that can be served as a festive appetizer. The tartness of the cranberry sauce complements the richness of the brie, creating a flavourful bite. You can use either homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce, but a thicker sauce is recommended to ensure it stays on top of the cheese. To enhance the dish, you can add a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness or a garnish of fresh rosemary for a festive flair. Additionally, chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled on top for added texture and flavour.
Chipotle jam, on the other hand, offers a unique and savoury twist to the classic brie and jam combination. The smoky and spicy flavours of chipotle jam provide a delightful contrast to the creamy texture and mild taste of the brie. While specific recipes for this pairing are scarce, the general concept of combining chipotle jam with brie is well-received.
When preparing brie with any topping, it is recommended to bake the cheese in the oven until it is soft and gooey. This melted consistency allows for a seamless integration of the toppings, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. Whether you choose cranberry sauce, chipotle jam, or any other topping that suits your taste, the key to success lies in the balance of flavours and the enjoyment of sharing a delicious treat with others.
Some other popular toppings for brie cheese include honey and almonds, rosemary and dried cherries, maple syrup and walnuts, and raspberry jam with walnuts. Sweet toppings tend to be favoured by many to balance the richness of the cheese, but savoury options like crackers, fresh fruits, and garlic are also enjoyed.
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Rosemary, almonds, and cherries
Baked brie is a delicious treat and a great way to elevate your cheese game. The best part about baking brie is that it can be served with a variety of toppings, both sweet and savoury, to suit your taste.
One such mouth-watering combination includes rosemary, almonds, and cherries. This flavourful trio is a match made in heaven for brie cheese. To prepare this, start by unwrapping the brie and placing it seam-side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary over the cheese, followed by sliced almonds and dried cherries. Finally, drizzle honey on top. Bake this in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and gooey. Serve it with crackers, and you have yourself a warm, indulgent treat.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different variations of this recipe. For a more savoury twist, substitute the almonds with other nuts like pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, or walnuts. If you're not a fan of dried cherries, swap them for other dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins, or apricots. You could even add a dash of maple syrup or brown sugar for an extra sweet kick.
The beauty of baking brie is that it's a versatile dish that can be tailored to your preferences. So, feel free to get creative and explore different combinations to find your favourite. Whether you stick with the classic rosemary, almond, and cherry trio or mix things up, your taste buds are in for a treat.
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Olive tapenade or pesto
Olive tapenade is a salty, briny olive spread that originated in the Provence region of France. It is typically made with black olives, such as nicoise or Nyon, but you can also use a mix of green olives, like Castelvetrano, and kalamata olives for a colorful twist. To make it, simply combine the olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, capers, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs in a food processor and pulse until combined but still slightly chunky.
One delicious way to enjoy olive tapenade is as a topping for brie cheese. To make this appetizer, start by drizzling baguette slices with olive oil and seasoning them with salt and pepper on both sides. Broil until golden brown, then add a slice of brie to each slice of bread and return to the oven until the cheese is melted. Finish by topping each crostini with a spoonful of tapenade and serve with crackers or fresh fruit on the side.
Pesto is another excellent topping option for brie cheese. The combination of creamy, rich brie and garlicky pesto is a match made in heaven. To make this appetizer even more special, you can surround the brie and pesto with sauteed mushrooms and whole roasted garlic cloves. Simply preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and spread the pesto over the brie before baking. Serve with slices of baguette for a warm and inviting appetizer that your guests will love.
If you're feeling creative, you can even combine the two toppings for a unique flavor profile. Simply spread a layer of pesto over the brie cheese and top it with a generous amount of olive tapenade. The brie provides a creamy base, while the pesto adds a burst of freshness, and the tapenade brings a salty, briny kick. This combination is sure to impress your guests and elevate your appetizer game to the next level.
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Maple syrup and walnuts
To make this, preheat your oven to 450°F/220°C. Cut the rind off the top of a wheel of brie cheese. You can leave the rind on if you want to, as it is edible. Cut slits into the cheese and insert garlic slices. Be careful not to use a whole clove, as it will overpower the cheese. Sprinkle the cheese with whiskey, then top with chopped rosemary and walnuts. Finally, drizzle maple syrup over the walnuts and cheese. You can also add honey to the mix. Bake at 450°F/220°C for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and gooey.
You can serve the baked brie with crackers, sliced baguette, fresh figs, and olives. For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle some pomegranate seeds over the cheese before serving.
This recipe offers a winning combination of salty, sweet, and savoury flavours. The maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness, while the toasted walnuts provide a pleasing crunch. The melted cheese is perfumed with the garlic and rosemary, and the whiskey adds a savoury note.
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Frequently asked questions
Baked brie is a great appetizer, and there are many toppings you can use to elevate it. Some common topping ideas include honey, nuts, and dried fruits. For a sweet tooth, try drizzling honey, maple syrup, or jam on top of the brie. For a textural contrast, add nuts like pecans, pistachios, or walnuts. You can also add dried fruits such as raisins, dates, apricots, or dried cranberries.
If you prefer savoury toppings, you can try something like garlic, chives, and shallots. You can also wrap the brie in puff pastry or phyllo pastry and fill it with marinated artichoke hearts, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another option is to pair the brie with crackers, crusty bread, or baguette, along with grapes, apple slices, or pretzel sticks.
For a unique twist, you can try topping your brie with orange marmalade, pumpkin pie spice mixed with caramel sauce, or hot honey. You can also add a savoury element with salty pork or pepper jelly. If you're feeling adventurous, try a combination of raspberries, pecans, chilli flakes, and maple syrup for a sweet, spicy, and crunchy experience.
