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Baked Brie

Baked brie recipe is one of the best easy appetizers around! Bake it in 15 minutes and add your favorite toppings for a total crowd pleaser.

Some people claim a recipe can be too easy. We think not. I don’t know about you, but we’re always in need of easy ideas…like this Baked Brie! There could not be an easier appetizer recipe, folks. But often, we forget about these simple entertaining tricks. So here’s what you need to know about making a melty, delicious pile of brie. The great part? The toppings are versatile depending on your preferences, and you can make a beautiful platter with little effort. Here’s what to do!

How to bake brie

Making baked brie is so easy, you barely need a recipe. But we’re of the mindset that there’s nothing too simple to jot down as an idea for cooking inspiration. (Heck, we even wrote a book about simple recipes.) You can go to the recipe below for the full details, or just memorize this easy formula for how to bake brie:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place the brie on a baking sheet or dish.
Bake for about 15 minutes! To test whether it’s done, touch your finger in the middle of the brie. It should feel like it’s completely liquid in the center.

Yes, that’s literally zero hands on time to bake brie! Then you’ll need a few minutes to dollop the cheese with toppings. Here’s what we like to use…

Baked brie toppings!

Yes, baked brie is that easy to make. We love it for parties and entertaining, especially when we’re making multiple recipes at once and need something simple yet stunning. The toppings are the fun part for baked brie: you can customize this recipe according to your tastes and make dozens of variations. One key to topping this melty cheese: sweet is an ideal pair with gooey, savory cheese. Here are some ideas for baked brie toppings:

Honey
Apricot jam
Cherry jam or cranberry jam
Strawberry jam, raspberry jam or blackberry jam
Cranberry sauce
Diced apple
Pomegranate seeds
Pistachios, chopped
Toasted pecans, chopped
Toasted almonds, chopped
Toasted walnuts, chopped
Caramelized onions

What do you add to your baked brie? Let us know in the comments below!

Variation: cover it in puff pastry

One popular variation on baked brie is to cover it in puff pastry. If you make it this way, you don’t need any toppings. Our personal opinion? We think puff pastry is unnecessary: it adds extra effort, calories, and makes it a little harder to eat. But, you can absolutely add it if you love this 1970’s style appetizer idea! Here’s the basic idea:

Cut the top skin off the brie wheel.
Get a large sheet of puff pastry. Lay it out in a single layer and place the brie on top.
Add a few tablespoons of jam on top of the brie.
Fold the pastry up and over the brie and cut off any excess dough.
Bake about 25 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees until the pastry is golden brown. Cool a few minutes before serving.

How to serve this baked brie recipe

How to serve baked brie? Well, the sky’s the limit! There are so many things you can add to this luscious cheese wheel to make a beautiful appetizer spread. It’s great for entertaining at any type of gathering: Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just any type of party! Here are some ideas:

Crackers (try homemade)
Crostini (try homemade)
Gluten free crackers or bread substitutes
Baguette slices
Apple slices
Pear slices
Grapes
Apricot or cranberry jam (if not using as a topping)
Rosemary sprigs, for decoration

More easy appetizers to pair

This baked brie is the perfect centerpiece for an appetizer spread! In fact, we created it in part for a virtual cocktail party with our friend Sierra. Here are a few of the other easy appetizers we’d pair with it to make a delicious spread. In fact, you could even use this as an “appetizer dinner,” which we like to do for an easy meal concept. Here’s what we’d pair:

Roll up some tortilla pinwheels
Mix up Marinated olives
Make a batch of Green hummus with veggies
Try our fan favorite Greek yogurt ranch dip with veggies
Go classic with dill pickle dip and potato chips
Opt for family favorite fruit dip, peanut butter dip, or chocolate hummus with fruit
Make easy and delicious stuffed dates
Grab some mixed nuts, cheese or cured meats

This baked brie recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free (with gluten-free crackers or bread substitutes).

Baked Brie (Recipe & Tips!)

(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

5 from 6 reviews

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Baked brie recipe is one of the best easy appetizers around! Bake it in just 15 minutes and add your favorite toppings for a stunning crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

1 brie cheese wheel
Honey or cranberry, cherry or apricot jam or preserves
Chopped pistachios, walnuts or pecans
Sea salt
For the platter: crackers, crostini, baguette slices,

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the brie in a baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until soft and warm: it’s done when you touch the center with your finger and it feels very liquid inside.
Top with honey or jam and crushed pistachios. Surround with crackers or crostini, grapes, apple, pear, etc.

Category: Appetizer
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Baked brie, Baked brie recipe, How to bake brie

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

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Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Black Garlic Aioli

Crispy, golden brown roasted potatoes served with a uniquely flavorful and oh-so-versatile black garlic aioli that’ll make your tastebuds sing with delight.

Up your side dish game with these crispy roasted potatoes, served with a black garlic aioli (it’s savory, I promise I’m not dipping potatoes in chocolate pudding here, despite appearances).

Shallow bowl filled with golden brown crispy potatoes, with a dish of black garlic aioli and sliced green onions

This dish is little bit inspired by Spain’s famous Papas Bravas, which is a dish of crispy fried potatoes served with a garlicky aioli (the traditional Catalan version is literally just garlic and oil worked together by hand until creamy, though many modern versions include egg to help with the emulsification).

We’ve taken some liberties with our recipe, obviously, both by baking our potatoes until golden and crisp and serving them with a simple and delicious shortcut aioli made with Duke’s Mayonnaise and both fresh and aged black garlic for a unique and flavorful combination.

Fork dipping a crispy piece of potato into a dish of black garlic aioli

Making aioli from scratch can be tricky if you don’t have the right equipment, or the patience. Instead, we’ve opted for a shortcut aioli, using our favorite Duke’s Mayonnaise as the creamy, tangy base, and mixing in both fresh and black garlic—the fresh gives the aioli a perfect bite, while the rich umami notes of the black garlic provide incredible depth of flavor while mellowing out the sharper spice of the fresh garlic.

The result is a delicious and unique side dish that comes together in a jiffy, and perfectly compliments these crispy roasted potatoes (though its versatility certainly doesn’t end there).

(more…)

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Category Spotlight: Finding the Sweet Spot in Jams and Preserves

Like many center-store categories, fruit spreads, jams and jellies are benefiting from COVID-19-induced at-home habits. With a record number of consumers cooking and eating at home, they are filling the cupboards with shelf-stable, meal-prep helpers for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Prior to COVID-19, from 2017-2019, specialty fruit spreads, jams, and jellies reached $270 million in brick-and-mortar retail sales, according to the SFA’s State of the Specialty Food Industry research, 2020-2021 Edition, produced with Mintel. That marks an 11.3 percent increase, versus only 0.5 percent growth for the total fruit spreads, jams, and jellies category. Specialty sales account for nearly one-third, or 31 percent, of the total category.

“Strong sales of the highest-tier specialty brands in the fruit spreads category are selling well in conventional outlets,” says David Browne, market researcher, retail and brand consultant, who works with Mintel on the annual research. “Fruit spreads selling though multi-unit outlets grew faster than natural or specialty supermarkets,” he adds.

J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works In a Jam Salted Watermelon Jelly with toast and eggs

Since then, the COVID boost has kicked in, aided by related categories. “COVID has helped nut and seed butters tremendously. It got a big lift and I’d expect fruit spreads to do even better [throughout 2020 and 2021]. Though it’s a smaller category in total sales than nut and seed butters, it was growing faster year on year heading into COVID,” says Browne.

Challenges and Opportunities
Outside of the COVID boost, one of the categories biggest challenges is appealing to younger consumers. According to the State of the Specialty Food Industry report, consumer purchase likelihood of jams, jellies, and preserves and spreads and dessert sauces is highest among baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Xs. There is a marked decline among Gen Zs.

“Jam, like cold cereal and soup to some degree, is a category that attracts a more mature audience and isn’t retaining a lot of the younger audiences that are coming up and shopping now,” says Browne.

Clif Family Organic Strawberry Preserves spooned over burrata

One bright spot, according to the research, is that younger adults, ages 25-34, are putting more emphasis on specialty foods for breakfast. Dinner and lunch are still the most popular mealtimes for usage, but this shift could be a boon for a category like jams and jellies if they offer the flavor profiles younger consumers are seeking.

While these products are widely available in familiar flavors like strawberry and blueberry that are crowd pleasing and comforting in times of unease, on-trend category innovations are answering desires for exciting or global tastes to help avoid menu fatigue. These include:

Restaurant Cooking in the Home Kitchen. One of the trends for 2021 identified by the SFA Trendspotter panel, consumers are seeking to replicate experiences during COVID-19 that they used to enjoy while dining out. Some examples from the specialtyfood.com Product Marketplace include Blake Hill Preserves Champagne Lemon Artisan Jam, which can be used on hot focaccia or as a glaze over chicken and fish, as well as incorporated in a yellow cake mix. J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works In a Jam sources local fruits for jams and jellies, which are made with unusual flavors like salted watermelon, heirloom tomato, ramps, and pawpaw.

Chicken glazed with Blake Hill Preserves Champagne Lemon Artisan Jam

Global Travels at Home. Similar to restaurant cooking at home, this trend for 2021 from the Trendspotter panel stems from home-bound who are limiting their travels using international flavors and combinations more frequently. Deli Chat Doceria e Eventos ltda. offers A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Biquinho Pepper with Apple Jam, made with apples, sugar, Biquinho pepper native to Brazil. Le Bon Magot Sour Cherry and Pomegranate Conserve with Cocoa, Mahlab, and Orange Flower uses traditional Persian produce of that region—pomegranates, Shiraz sour cherries, and apples.

Reduced Sugar. The sugar content of these products can be a detractor, especially among younger consumers. More low-sugar and naturally sweetened fruit spreads coming to market, many using honey or maple syrup instead of cane sugar, or alternative sweeteners like dates. For example, Kurtz Orchards offers a Raspberry Line Fruit Melange that contains only 2 grams of sugar.

Functional Foods. Health and wellness concerns in the midst of the pandemic are also fueling a functional foods trend that is manifesting across categories, including jams and preserves. “We fully expect to see some fruit and superfood blends such as fruit and turmeric to be used in a jelly or topping,” says Andrew Freeman, founder of af&co, a creative and strategic consulting firm with a focus on hospitality and lifestyle, and member of the SFA Trendspotter panel. For example, Nexus Organics Llama Land Organics offers a Superfruit Spread made with camu camu, a fruit grows in the Amazon rainforest and is an abundant natural source of vitamin C, 60 times more than an orange.

Nexus Organics Llama Land Organics Superfruit Spread

Read a more in-depth spotlight on the Fruit Spreads, Jams and Jellies category coming up in the Winter issue of Specialty Food magazine.

Denise Purcell is editor of Specialty Food.

Photo: Mark Ferri
Food Styling: Leslie Orlandini
Props Styling: Francine Matalon-Degni

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Christmas Margarita

The Christmas margarita is the best holiday drink! This brilliant cranberry spin is irresistible and perfect for festivities.

Looking for a Christmas cocktail that’s fun and a little…unexpected? It’s not often that tequila features in holiday cocktails. But this one is absolutely stellar: try the Christmas Margarita! Why not bring everyone’s favorite drink to your holiday festivities? This one keeps all the character of a classic margarita and adds cranberry juice for a vibrant color and sweet tart nuance. With a garnish of fresh cranberries and rosemary, it’s holiday perfection. We created this drink especially for a virtual holiday party with our friend Sierra: it could not be more festive!

What’s in a Christmas margarita?

Who doesn’t love a good margarita? (No one.) This classic cocktail is one of the most iconic in the world: it was invented in the 1930’s and is even more popular today. In fact, the classic margarita is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means there’s an “official” definition of how its made: it’s just three ingredients: lime juice, Cointreau, and tequila.

The Christmas margarita is a spin-off on the classic. We’ve kept all the classic ingredients and added 100% cranberry juice. Because it’s unsweetened and very tart, we added a splash of simple syrup to balance things out. Here’s what you’ll need to make a Christmas margarita:

100% cranberry juice
Tequila (use blanco or reposado)
Cointreau
Fresh lime juice
Simple syrup or maple syrup

100% cranberry juice vs sweetened: what to know

When you’re shopping for the cranberry juice for your Christmas margarita, make sure to find 100% cranberry juice, which is unsweetened. You can easily find it at most grocery stores, but it’s right next to the sweetened cranberry juice. Here’s what to know for when you’re shopping:

Sweetened cranberry juice aka cranberry juice cocktail has added sugars and sometimes high-fructose corn syrup as sweetener. This type of cranberry juice has been available since the 1940’s for making classic cranberry cocktails like the Vodka Cranberry. However, we like using the modern 100% juice.
100% cranberry juice is unsweetened and made only with cranberries: no added sugar! The benefit? The color is brighter, and you can sweeten your drink to taste.

Did you buy unsweetened? That’s ok, just don’t sweeten your drink as much. Use half of the simple syrup in the recipe below — or even add it to taste.

How to make a salt rim

Of course, a perfect Christmas margarita needs a salt rim! Why is salt used in margaritas? Salt brings out the sweet and sour flavors in the drink. Plus, it’s ultra classic. For the Christmas margarita you could also make a sugar rim if you’d like! Just use superfine or granulated sugar and follow the instructions below. Here’s how to make a salt rim:

Use kosher salt or flaky sea salt (not table salt!). These types of salt are chunky and make for just the right texture on the rim. Or, you can make festive Margarita Salt!
Take a lime wedge and cut a notch in the middle. Then slide it around the rim of the glass. This moistens the rim without having to use your fingers.
Rim the outside edge only. Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer. Tilt the glass into the salt so that the sugar sticks to the outside edge. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.

How to make a Christmas margarita!

Once you’ve rimmed the glasses, making a Christmas margarita is very simple: all you have to do is shake the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker! Here’s what to do:

Rim the glass with salt. See above!
Shake in a cocktail shaker. Shake the cranberry juice, tequila, lime juice, Cointreau and simple syrup together with ice in a cocktail shaker (or use a mason jar with a lid).
Strain into a glass and add ice. Strain it into a glass and serve with ice! You can also add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary as a beautiful garnish. Speaking of ice…

Step it up with clear ice

Want to have the most beautiful look for this Christmas margarita? Look in the photos: see that beautiful crystal clear ice block that looks like it’s cut off a glacier? It’s called Clear Ice. Clear ice is artisan style ice that’s crystal clear, unlike normal ice that’s cloudy. It’s very easy to make at home: Alex created a method that we do with all of our cocktail recipes! Go to How to make clear ice.

What to serve with a Christmas margarita

This Christmas margarita is ideal for holiday gatherings: especially a holiday cocktail party! We made this cocktail and our Christmas martini for a special virtual cocktail party with our friend Sierra from Eclectic Kurves. These drinks pair perfectly with nibbles and appetizers! You can make up a holiday platter with some of the ideas below:

Spinach & sundried tomato pinwheels
Baked brie
Crackers and cheese
Marinated olives
Green hummus with veggies
Fruit dip, peanut butter dip, or chocolate hummus with strawberries & green apples
Chocolate covered pretzels
Gingerbread cookies
Healthy buckeyes

When to serve a Christmas margarita

The Christmas margarita is ideal for holiday gatherings in the fall and winter. It works as a: