An appetizer that looks complicated and gourmet, but is super simple to execute is baked brie. It looks impressive, it pleases a crowd and it’s something that you can theoretically make “from scratch” without trying very hard. I also love that you can prep it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge and then pop it in the oven to bake, shortly before guests arrive!

Brie can be a pretty versatile cheese. I love how many ways you can create a baked brie to suit the mood, theme or season! Every fall, I make homemade jam with locally sourced fruits specifically for serving on charcuterie boards and for making with baked brie. That being said, each of these recipes is going to be based around a different flavour of jam.

I am not a chef by any stretch – I just love an easy and impressive appetizer that pairs well with a great glass of wine!

Here are 7 different ways to make baked brie:

Universal Instructions for Each Recipe:

• Slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker, rind down. Top with goodies. Place the other half of the brie on top rind up (like a sandwich).
• Bake at 350 F for 5-7 mins until brie oozes, not melts. You want it to be soft and gooey, not melted.
• Do not bake with the lid on your brie baker. The lid is to keep your dish warm on the counter until it is served.

Baked Brie With Apricot Jam

Apricot jam is super easy to find at your local market making this iteration of baked brie pretty simple. I love how the herbs and spices and purposefully selected nuts make this recipe fresh and tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Apricot Jam
• Fresh Thyme (a few sprigs)
• Fresh Nutmeg
• Dried Cherries
• Slivered Almonds

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of apricot jam across the cheese. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of slivered almonds and fresh thyme leaves on top of the jam. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, thyme leaves and slivered almonds. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Top with some fresh ground nutmeg and a sprinkling of dried cherries to finish. Serve!

Baked Brie With Cherry Jam

Cherry jam is an absolute favourite of mine. This recipe can be made with a sour or Evan’s cherry jam or even a sweeter, dark cherry jam. If you don’t have jam on hand, you can use fresh pitted (+ smashed!) dark cherries as a substitute. I love the addition of fresh cracked pepper with the cherries – it’s like a glass of pinot noir!

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Cherry Jam or Fresh Cherries
• Pecans
• Fresh Black Pepper (coarsely ground or cracked)

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of cherry jam across the cheese. Chop the pecans into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of pecans over the jam. Cover with fresh ground pepper. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional pecan pieces and fresh ground pepper. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Serve!

Baked Brie with Peach Jam

Peach jam is one of those things that can feel cool and fresh in the spring and summer but warm and cozy in the fall and winter. I love how its sweetness pairs with the brie in this recipe. I’m giving two herb and spice options for this recipe, too, depending on the mood or season!

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Peach Jam
• Nuts: Hazelnuts or Pecans
• Option 1: Ground Cinnamon OR
• Option 2: Fresh Basil Leaves (small)

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of peach jam across the cheese. Chop the nuts into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of nuts over the jam. Option 1: Sprinkle a thin layer of ground cinnamon. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional nuts and Option 1: fresh ground cinnamon. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Option 2: Top with tiny fresh basil leaves. Serve!

Baked Brie With Plum Jam

Plum jam is one of my favourites to pair with baked brie. It isn’t overly sweet but it offers subtle flavours that you are sure to enjoy. I love to pair this with walnuts because of their earthy tones, but pecans will do in a pinch. Fresh herbs are key to this recipe, too. I like either thyme or rosemary.

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Plum Jam
• Walnuts
• Fresh Thyme or Rosemary
• Optional: Fresh Black Pepper (coarsely ground or cracked)
• Serve with: Fresh Prosciutto

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of plum jam across the cheese. Chop the walnuts into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of walnuts over the jam. Cover with a thin layer of chopped rosemary or thyme leaves. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional walnut pieces, a sprinkling of your herb and optional fresh ground pepper. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary or two. Serve with a side plate of fresh prosciutto!

Baked Brie With Spiced Plum Jam

If you haven’t tried spiced jams before, baking them with brie is a great place to start. It takes the extra seasoning questions out of the mix for you, simplifying the process a little bit. Again, I prefer walnuts here, but pecans will do if you’re stuck.

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Spiced Plum Jam
• Walnuts
• Fresh Thyme

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of spiced plum jam across the cheese. Chop the walnuts into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of walnuts over the jam. Cover with a thin layer of chopped rosemary or thyme leaves. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional walnut pieces, and a sprinkling of thyme leaves. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme or two. Serve!

Baked Brie With Pear or Spiced Pear Jam

Spiced pear jam isn’t all that common, but it is heavenly and delicious. This recipe can be made with either plain pair or spiced pear jam. The optional cinnamon makes it feel more warm and festive for the holidays whereas without it, it gives a more fresh, light flavour. The options are endless here.

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Pear Jam or Spiced Pear Jam
• Slivered Almonds or Walnuts
• Fresh Black Pepper (coarsely ground or cracked)
• Optional: Cinnamon

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of spiced pear jam across the cheese. If using walnuts: chop into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of walnuts or slivered almonds over the jam. Cover with fresh ground pepper and optional cinnamon. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional nut pieces and fresh ground pepper (and optional cinnamon). Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Serve!

Baked Brie With Fig Jam

There is something about the sweetness of fig jam that I cannot get enough of. I generally don’t care for figs on their own, but with cheese or on a charcuterie board, who am I to say no? I love this recipe because of how well the ingredients pair together!

Ingredients:

• 1 Wheel of Brie
• Jar of Fig Jam
• Pecans
• Dried Cherries (for garnish)
• Fresh Black Pepper (coarsely ground or cracked)

Instructions: Simply slice your wheel of brie in half (length wise) so you have two equally sized circles. Place the bottom half in your brie baker. Spread a layer of fig jam across the cheese. Chop the pecans into halves or quarters. Sprinkle a thin sporadic layer of pecans over the jam. Cover with fresh ground pepper. Place the other circle (your other half) of brie on top, making a jam sandwich with the cheese. Cover with more jam, additional pecan pieces and fresh ground pepper. Bake at 350F for 5-7 minutes until gooey. Remove from the oven. Garnish with dried cherries. Serve!

What To Serve With Your Baked Brie

You’re going to want something to spread this deliciousness onto; a baked brie delivery-device if you will. My top choices are:

• sliced baguette
• fresh crostini
• water crackers
• Raincoast Crisps

Tools For Baking Brie

I’m a big fan of having the right tools for the job – especially when that job is entertaining with fresh treats made from scratch. There are a few things you’ll need for making and executing your delicious dish! I’ve sourced everything you need with shopable links right here: