Baked Brie and Preserves (Easy Appetizer Recipe)

Name: Baked Brie and Preserves (Easy Appetizer Recipe)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 550 gram (19.2 ounces) Brie cheese round/wheel, Note 1 ((or Camembert cheese)); 2/3 cup preserves, Note 2; 1/2 cup nuts, roughly chopped, Note 3 ((I use pistachios))

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Level up your next gathering with a delicious crowd-pleasing baked brie and preserves appetizer. Guests will love the rich and indulgent cheese – oozy and creamy when baked – paired with a sweet jam and crunchy pistachios.

This classic French appetizer looks elegant and complex, but it’s actually one of the easiest appetizers you can make in just 15-20 minutes with 3 ingredients.

baked brie cheese topped with preserves and pistachios on black plate.

The brie recipe below is topped with berry preserves and pistachios, but if that’s not your thing, we suggested lots of other topping combinations – both sweet and savory.

Baked brie is a perfect appetizer for the busy holiday season because it is so simple to make.

What to expect

It’s hard to resist the combination of creamy oozy cheese, crunchy nuts, and a touch of sweet preserves in every bite.

The recipe is simple. You top a brie wheel with preserves, sprinkle on chopped nuts, and bake it for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the cheese. That’s it.

There is no need to remove the brie rind from the top of the cheese unless you want to. It adds a mild earthy umami taste which I love but, admittedly, it’s not for everyone. You will know who doesn’t like to eat the rind by the way they scoop the melted cheese, leaving the rind behind! So be it.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

brie cheese, pistachio nuts, berry preserves.

Brie cheese: Buy a wheel, not a wedge, of brie. You will need the added structure when baking it. Brie comes in different sizes and can usually be found at your local grocery store, including Costco. If you can’t find brie, buy camembert cheese instead. There is no need to buy an expensive cheese for this dish.

Nuts: Pistachios, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, almonds and cashews are all good choices. Even a mix of different nuts will work. Give them a rough chop. There is no need to toast the nuts as they will toast when the brie is baking.

Preserves: Any flavor of jam, preserves or jelly is great. Try mixed berry jam, fig jam, strawberry jam, raspberry preserves, apricot preserves, pepper jelly, etc.

Step-by-step instructions

brie cheese wheel on plate with rind scored on top. — Score the rind of the brie with a sharp knife to allow a bit of jam to seep in.

unbaked brie cheese topped with preserves and pistachios on black plate. — Spread preserves on top of the rind. Sprinkle nuts on top and around an oven-safe baking dish.

melted brie cheese with preserves on pistachios on apple slice. — Serve with fresh fruit slices, celery, crackers, breadsticks or bread.

Tips

Baking time: The amount of time needed at a moderate oven temperature depends on the brie’s thickness. A smaller 8-ounce brie wheel will take about 10 minutes, a larger 19-ounce will take about 15 -20 minutes.

Don’t overbake: Overbaking will result in the brie losing its structure and becoming a puddle of melted cheese. It may also get hard in the middle or greasy as oil is released.

Baking dish choices: Bake the brie on your serving dish (if it is oven-safe) or a small cast iron skillet. This way you don’t have to transfer it to a serving tray. If you don’t have an oven-safe dish, bake it on parchment paper on a baking sheet to make it easier to transfer.

It is best not to remove the rind as the brie will lose its shape when baking. Plus, it’s an extra step. If you want to remove the rind, a larger brie (e.g. 550 grams/1.2 lbs) will be easier. See FAQs for how to do it.

Alternative topping combinations

This creamy brie cheese appetizer is topped with preserves and nuts, but endless other combinations would also make a stellar app for holiday parties. Here are a few good ones.

Balsamic glaze topped with fresh berries
Honey hot sauce (honey mixed with chili crisp)
Caramelized apples (sautéed in butter and brown sugar) and pecans.
Crispy crumbled bacon with a dollop of onion jam.
Fig jam with a thin layer of prosciutto
Sundried Tomato Pesto with chopped olives.
Cranberry sauce and chopped pistachios – festive!
Mango or peach chutney sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes (for a tropical vibe)
Bruschetta topping (drain the juice well)
Chili crisp for some serious heat.
Drizzle of honey with toasted almond slivers or fresh thyme (classic)

Shortcuts

If you don’t remove the brie rind, the prep for this easy appetizer takes only a few minutes.
Instead of the oven, bake the brie in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Skip the baking. This will save time, but you won’t get the luxurious, creamy cheese.

Make Ahead

You can prep the brie a few hours ahead. Bake it just before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Rewarm the dressed-up brie in the oven or microwave. It won’t look great, but the mixed-up ingredients will still be delicious.
I don’t suggest freezing the baked brie with toppings.

What to serve with brie – and how

Serve the brie as a stand-alone appetizer on a shallow skillet or oven-safe dish that you used to bake the brie. Alternatively, transfer the brie sitting on parchment paper to a cheese board or charcuterie board.

To me, the best part of the dish is the melted cheese, but you can opt to serve it at room temperature instead. The flavor combinations will still be great and, let’s face it, the cheese begins to firm up after about 15 minutes.

Some great accompaniments and serving vehicles for the brie are sliced apples or pears, baguette slices, breadsticks or crostini. Grapes on the side pair beautifully.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between preserves, jam, and jelly?

Jam is made from cooked, crushed fruits with a smooth texture and small fruit pieces. Preserves are similar but often have a chunkier texture with larger pieces of fruit. Jelly is a clear, firm, smooth, gel-like spread made from strained fruit juice, sugar, and pectin.

What is the difference between Brie and Camembert cheese?

Brie and Camembert both originate in France, both have a soft creamy texture with edible rinds and both can be baked to create a melty center. Camembert has a stronger and more intense earthy flavor compared to Brie.

Can you bake a brie in a microwave oven?

Yes, you can microwave a brie wheel for 1-2 minutes on high, depending on its size. This is also a quick way to reheat the brie after it cools and hardens after about 15 minutes.

Is it necessary to remove the rind on the brie?

The rind on the brie is perfectly edible and helps to hold the shape of the cheese when baking, but the top rind can be removed if you prefer. Freeze the brie for 20 minutes, then stand it on its side and use a serrated knife to slice off the top and bottom. I suggest using a larger brie if you want to remove the rind. Alternatively, use a cheese slicer to scrape off the rind.

How many people will a brie wheel serve?

An 8 ounce/1/2 pound/140 gram brie will serve 6-8 people. A 19 ounce/1.2 lbs/550 gram brie will serve 15-20 people.

Other easy appetizers

And check out our 20 vegetarian appetizers (and serving tips)

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