Like camembert, brie can be baked until the middle is melting and oozy, perfect for dunking in toasts or veg crudités. For a real showstopping starter, you could even bake a wheel into a loaf of bread, or use it to make an indulgent fondue. Get even more cheesy inspiration with our simple recipe for baked brie, our best ever collection of brie recipes and a helpful guide on how to bake camembert.
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Brie is a soft cow’s milk cheese with a pale white rind. It’s traditionally made in Brie, France, where it gets its name, and it has a mild, creamy flavour that’s quite delicate and fresh.
While it's a great addition to a cheeseboard with crackers, when bought whole in a round, it can be baked and shared. Recipes for baked camembert are interchangeable with brie, but make sure you use a whole cheese, rather than a wedge – the rind is what keeps the cheese from running out when baked. Or, see our tip below for baking it in a dish.
How to bake brie
Here’s a really simple recipe for an easy baked brie with herbs.
Tips for baking brie
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- Remove any plastic packaging before baking. The brie can be baked in the wooden box it comes in, but make sure it’s secured with a metal staple rather than glue, which can melt and collapse in the oven – the cheese won’t hold its shape and will start to fall apart.
- You can also transfer the cheese to a small ovenproof dish. It should fit snugly so it doesn’t escape when baking.
Easy baked brie
Ingredients
- 1 whole brie in its rind
- Handful of chopped fresh herbs, such as chives, thyme or parsley, or a mixture
- Pitta crisps or breadsticks, to serve
Method
- Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Remove the cheese from the box and remove and discard any plastic wrapping, then return the cheese to its box. Put on a baking sheet and bake for 15 mins.
- Remove from the oven and remove the box lid. Cut a large cross through the top of the cheese, then peel back the rind. Scatter over chopped herbs and serve with pitta crisps or breadsticks for dunking.
What flavours can you add to baked brie?
Try substituting the cheese in our baked camembert recipe for brie and add some spice to your starter. We’ve added a pinch of chilli and a splash of vermouth to cut through the richness of the cheese.
After scoring the cheese, you can add toppings to it that will infuse into the cheese while it bakes. A dollop of cranberry jam, a splash of wine, chopped herbs, dried fruit, honey or nuts are all great additions to brie, and help make it a simple but impressive dinner party starter.
Have we made your mouth water? Try our favourite baked camembert recipes and topping ideas.
Do you take the rind off before baking?
Keep the rind on, as it will help the cheese hold its shape so it doesn't all melt out. The rind is also edible, so you can enjoy it with the melted cheese, or simply remove the top layer after baking and dunk in crusty bread like a fondue.
Our top baked cheese recipes
1. Melty cheese fondue pot
If you have a wedge of brie rather than a whole round, remove the rind and bake it in a small pot with other flavourings to make a cheesy ‘dip’. This super-simple starter is worthy of any dinner party table. Plus, you can prep our melty cheese fondue pot in just 10 minutes.
2. Brie wrapped in prosciutto & brioche
For a next level cheesy masterpiece, try Paul Hollywood’s baked brie wrapped in prosciutto & brioche. Cut into wedges to serve. The crisp bread crust and melty cheese middle are a perfectly decadent party bite.
3. Melting cheese with poppy & apricot bread wreath
Take standard bread and cheese up a notch with our melting cheese with poppy & apricot bread wreath. The decorative ring not only looks good, but can be torn off in chunks to dip in the cheese for an instant fondue.
4. Baked blue cheese with figs & walnuts
For something a little different, try our fruity baked blue cheese with figs & walnuts. This colourful tray is full of texture and flavour. Let your guests dive in with chunks of crusty bread for dipping.
5. Baked cheese bread flower
This baked cheese bread flower sharing dish is the ultimate party sharing dish, with oozing cheese and soft dough seasoned to perfection. You can use camembert, chaource, brie or a vegeterian/vegan alternative.
6. Baked cheese with roasted garlic Jersey Royals
Our baked cheese with roasted garlic Jersey Royals is the perfect finger food you'll need for a cracking party. With crispy, herby potatoes and an indulgent baked camembert or similar cheese, it will go down a storm.
7.Baked feta with sesame and honey
Create a sweet and salty flavour explosion with this baked feta with sesame and honey. It's so simple to make and goes great with warm pittas to soak everything up.
8. Baked goat’s cheese with hazelnut crust & balsamic onions
This make-ahead starter is perfect for special occasions like Christmas or dinner parties. The baked goat’s cheese with hazelnut crust & balsamic onions has great flavours and textures to kick off your party.
Enjoyed these recipes? Try our other party dishes
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What's your favourite way to eat baked brie? Leave a comment below...
