Are you looking for a delicious, unique, showstopping appetizer? Look no further than my baked brie en croute!
What is that you ask? It’s simply a small wheel of brie that has been topped with tender, sauteed, spiced apples and walnuts then encased in store-bought puff pastry and baked.
This puff pastry baked brie is truly delicious. This is one of the appetizers I make again and again. People absolutely go crazy for it!
When I serve it, I cut a small wedge out of it and spread it on a few crackers, then place them next to the brie. This gives folks an idea of how to eat brie en croute! It’s not complicated but sometimes when people see the gorgeous baked wheel on the table they aren’t sure how to dive in!
It’s great for large family gatherings, neighborhood parties, and holiday buffets. Whenever you need an appetizer to feed 12 people. I serve it at casual and formal gatherings and it’s equally at home at both.
Need to fill out your appetizer offerings? Try my buffalo chicken dip, my Mom’s spinach artichoke dip, or my practically famous (at least in my little neighborhood! LOL) pimento cheese!!
Try my old-fashioned deviled eggs next!
Baked Brie En Croute Video Tutorial
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Important Ingredient Notes, Tips + Tricks
- Granny Smith Apple – I typically use Granny Smith apples for making this brie en croute. They have a strong, tart flavor and a firm flesh that marries well with sweet baked goods. Here’s a little about some of the best apples for baking, according to Bon Appetit.
- Walnuts – Out of walnuts? Substitute with pecans and make a delicious baked brie en croute with pecans! Bothe nuts are equally delish!
- Dark Brown Sugar – The difference between light and dark brown sugar is simply the amount of molasses each contains. In this recipe, I prefer the flavor of dark brown. In a pinch, if all you have is light brown you can, however, substitute it. Make sure you pack the brown sugar firmly.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract, not artificial, for the best flavor.
- Cinnamon – Remember when it comes to ground spices the flavor is best when used within 6 months after opening. Check out this article if you want to read more about spices.
- Brandy- If you do not want to use alcohol, simply replace brandy with water.
- Brie Cheese – Do you want to know more about Brie? Then check out this article.
- How long to bake brie – If the assembled brie in puff pastry is at room temperature it should take about 20-25 minutes to cook. If it has been assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, it will require at least 35 minutes.
Storing/Freezing Tips, Serving Recommendations
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Store this in an airtight container. Brie can last in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes, brie cheese can last for 3-6 months in the freezer.
- Make-Ahead Tips: This only takes 15 minutes to prep and another 15 minutes to bake. You can assemble everything and store it in the fridge until ready to bake.
- What to serve with brie en croute: I like to serve this with plain crackers or a sliced baguette.
Do You Remove The Rind From Brie Before Baking?
The rind on brie cheese is actually edible. You can leave it on, or remove it per your preference. I find that once you bake the brie, the rind isn’t altogether that noticeable.
How To Make Baked Brie En Croute
- Add apple, walnut, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon and saute over melted butter until the sugar begins to caramelize the apples.
- Add brandy and continue to cook until it’s evaporated. Remove from heat and cool.
- Spoon cooled apple mixture in the center of the sheet, the same diameter as the brie.
- Place brie on top of the apples. Seal edges to one another by brushing the egg mixture where pastry joins.
- Bring the edges of the pastry over brie.
- Place brie, seam side down with the apple side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bush the entire exterior with egg wash.
- Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown.
- Let cool slightly and transfer to a serving plate.
More Festive Appetizer Recipes
Baked Brie En Croute With Apples and Walnuts
This warm gooey baked brie en croute is topped with sautéed apples and walnuts, then wrapped in flaky puff pastry. A show-stopping appetizer!
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 Granny Smith apple thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons brandy
- 1 (8-ounce) mini wheel Brie cheese
- 1 sheet, plus more for decorating puff pastry
- 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon water beaten together
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange oven shelf to middle position. Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Melt butter (2 tablespoons) in a skillet. Add apple (1/2), walnut (1/3 cup), brown sugar (1/4 cup), vanilla (1 teaspoon), and cinnamon (pinch) and saute over medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelize the apples. Add brandy (3 tablespoons) and continue to cook until it's evaporated. Remove from heat and cool.
- Lay sheet of puff pastry (1 sheet) on a clean surface. Spoon cooled apple mixture in the center of the sheet, the same diameter as the brie. Place brie on top of the apples.
- Bring the edges of the pastry over brie. Seal edges to one another by brushing egg mixture (1 large egg and 1 teaspoon water) where pastry joins. Be sure to seal well so melted cheese doesn't leak out during baking.
- Place brie, seam side down with the apple side up on the prepared baking sheet. Decorate the top of the brie, as desired, with the scraps of puff pastry or a second sheet. Adhere decorations with egg mixture. Bush the entire exterior with egg wash.
- Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown. Let cool slightly and transfer to a serving plate.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Granny Smith Apple – I typically use Granny Smith apples for making this brie en croute. They have a strong, tart flavor and a firm flesh that marries well with sweet baked goods. Here’s a little about some of the best apples for baking, according to Bon Appetit.
- Walnuts – Out of walnuts? Substitute with pecans and make a delicious baked brie en croute with pecans! Bothe nuts are equally delish!
- Dark Brown Sugar – The difference between light and dark brown sugar is simply the amount of molasses each contains. In this recipe, I prefer the flavor of dark brown. In a pinch, if all you have is light brown you can, however, substitute it. Make sure you pack the brown sugar firmly.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract, not artificial, for the best flavor.
- Cinnamon – Remember when it comes to ground spices the flavor is best when used within 6 months after opening. Check out this article if you want to read more about spices.
- Brandy- If you do not want to use alcohol, simply replace brandy with water.
- Brie Cheese – Do you want to know more about Brie? Then check out this article.
- How long to bake brie – If the assembled brie in puff pastry is at room temperature it should take about 20-25 minutes to cook. If it has been assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, it will require at least 35 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg
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I love baked brie. Never tried this recipe but now I definitely will. Looks amazing. Perfect for my date night dinner. Thanks for the idea and the recipe.
Thank you so much, Natalie! 🙂
I can’t think of anything more satisfying than this recipe, so unique and impressive. I can’t believe how easy it is!!!
Thank you so much, Dee!
Don’t put brie in from of me because I can plow through a whole wheel myself. I love your recipe with the walnuts and apples, plus that little hint of brandy!
Thank you, Jere! I’m the same way with brie. Especially if it’s all ooey-gooey! <3
It doesn’t get much better than baked brie! This is definitely the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering!
Thank you so much, Leslie! 🙂