Baked Brie with Honey, Thyme, and Crostini Recipe
A simple and elegant recipe for Baked Brie, offering warm, gooey cheese drizzled with honey and accented with fresh thyme, served with crostini and optional grapes for a delicious appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes
- Total Time: 20-30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 as an appetizer 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 250 – 500g (8 – 16 oz) round brie or camembert cheese
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 thyme sprig (optional)
Accompaniments
- 1 bunch purple grapes (or green grapes, optional)
- Crostini (quantity as desired for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), suitable for all oven types.
- Prepare Brie: Unwrap the brie and place it into a small, shallow ovenproof dish slightly larger than the cheese, or alternatively place it on crumpled baking or parchment paper for easy transfer after baking.
- Bake the Brie: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes for a 250g (8 oz) brie or camembert, or extend the baking time to 25 minutes for a 500g (1 lb) piece. The cheese should feel very soft and almost collapsing when gently pressed in the center.
- Microwave Alternative: If preferred, melt the cheese in the microwave on high for about 2 minutes total, heating in 30-second increments to avoid overheating.
- Transfer Carefully: Carefully transfer the melted brie to a serving plate or board, using paper if it was baked on parchment to maintain its shape as it is delicate.
- Add Toppings: Drizzle the warm brie with honey or maple syrup and garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme if using.
- Serve: Serve immediately with crostini for scooping the melted cheese. Provide a knife to cut through the rind and a cheese or pâté knife for spreading the cheese onto the crostini or crackers. Optionally, offer grapes on the side for a fresh contrast.
Notes
- Brie and camembert are both suitable for this recipe; camembert is a good value alternative.
- Be gentle when pressing the baked cheese to test softness to avoid breaking the rind prematurely.
- The crostini can be plain or flavored with fruit and nuts to complement the cheese.
- Microwaving is a quick alternative but may not produce the same texture as oven baking.
- Serving immediately ensures the cheese remains warm and melty for the best experience.
Keywords: baked brie, easy appetizer, cheese appetizer, baked camembert, warm brie, crostini, party food, melted cheese recipe
