Baked Brie

Name: Baked Brie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry (frozen or homemade using this recipe); 1 8 oz brie cheese round (5 to 7 inches); 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (optional (or any jam)); 1 large egg (beaten (for egg wash)); Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts

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Hello, holiday hosts! Baked brie is one of those recipes that looks impressive but should feel effortless to make. This version does exactly that. The pastry bakes up crisp and golden, the brie melts evenly, and the topping adds contrast without overwhelming the cheese. Whether you’re hosting friends or bringing a dish to a gathering, this baked brie, whichever way you make it, is the perfect addition to any festive spread!

This close-up image captures a decadent baked brie with the golden, flaky pastry opened to reveal the gooey, melted cheese oozing out, creating an irresistible visual appeal. The creamy brie contrasts beautifully with the crisp pastry, making it look warm and inviting. Surrounding the brie are rustic seeded crackers and fresh sprigs of rosemary, enhancing the presentation with texture and color. The setting exudes a cozy, festive atmosphere, perfect for a holiday appetizer or a special gathering, with flavors that promise to be both rich and comforting.

Table of Contents - Hide

1. Why I Love This Version

2. Key Ingredients & Why I Use Them

3. How I Make Baked Brie with Puff Pastry

4. Tips & Tricks

5. Variations I Actually Make

6. Storage & Reheating

7. FAQs

8. More Recipes You Might Enjoy

9. Share With Me!

10. Baked Brie

Why I Love This Version

I like serving this recipe when I want something warm and shareable that doesn’t require much explanation.

Puff pastry stays crisp while the brie melts cleanly
The filling adds contrast without making the pastry soggy
It can be assembled ahead and baked when needed
Flavor variations don’t require changing the method

Key Ingredients & Why I Use Them

Brie – Mild, creamy, and reliable when baked. I prefer a standard wheel rather than a triple-cream, which can melt too quickly.
Puff pastry – Store-bought works well here. I just make sure it’s thawed but still cool.
Jam or honey – Adds sweetness and contrast. I keep it restrained so the cheese stays front and center.
Egg wash – Helps the pastry brown evenly and look finished.

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How I Make Baked Brie with Puff Pastry

The full recipe card is below, but here’s how I make it step by step.

Step 1: Preparing the Puff Pastry

For this baked brie you can make homemade puff pastry using this recipe. Making your own is a rewarding challenge that gives you complete control over the ingredients and texture. Plus it’s a lot easier than you think! But, if you’re in a bind, you can easily use store-bought puff pastry as a quicker option. It usually comes frozen, so you will still need to take the time to thaw it.

Refrigerator Thawing: For the best texture, let puff pastry thaw in the refrigerator for about 4 hours or overnight. This gentle thawing helps the dough keep its structure and prevents the butter from softening too soon.

Countertop Thawing: Leave the puff pastry on the counter for 30-40 minutes until it softens and unfolds easily.

Quick Microwave Thaw: If you’re short on time, wrap the puff pastry in a paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds on each side. Avoid overheating, as too much warmth will make the dough sticky and cause the butter to melt, making it difficult to handle.

Once thawed, roll the pastry into a 12-inch square, about 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured surface.

The image panel shows four stages in the process of making baked brie with cranberry sauce. In the first image, hands are using a rolling pin to flatten a sheet of pastry dough. In the second image, a wheel of brie cheese topped with cranberry sauce is placed in the center of the rolled-out pastry. The third image captures hands lifting and folding the edges of the pastry over the brie and cranberry sauce. Finally, in the fourth image, the pastry is completely wrapped around the brie, with hands pressing down to seal it. In the background, festive decor and ingredients such as cranberries, brown sugar, and pinecones create a warm holiday atmosphere.

Step 2: Assembling

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the puff pastry dough to the baking sheet and place the wheel of brie in the center. I like to top with jam like cranberry sauce, apricot jam, honey, or fig jam. For a nutty flavor add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or shelled pistachios.

This image panel shows the next steps in preparing baked brie wrapped in pastry. In the first image, a hand is folding a piece of pastry over the top of the brie. In the second image, the brie is fully wrapped in the pastry, with edges gathered together. The third image shows a knife creating small slits in the top of the wrapped brie for venting. Finally, the fourth image features a brush applying an egg wash over the pastry to give it a golden finish during baking. In the background, there are bowls with cranberries, brown sugar, and festive decorations, adding to the seasonal feel.

Step 3: Wrapping and Baking

Fold the puff pastry over the brie to fully encase it, using beaten egg along the edges to help seal the pastry. Score the top of the dough gently, being careful not to cut through.

Then bake for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven until golden and crispy. Once it comes out of the oven, I let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This short pause keeps the cheese molten but not uncontrollable. I serve it with crackers, sliced baguette, or apple wedges. It’s best warm, straight from the oven.

This two-part image shows the final preparations for baking a brie wrapped in pastry. In the left image, a hand is applying an additional coat of egg wash with a brush to the pastry to ensure an even golden finish. In the right image, a knife is making decorative slits in the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape during baking. In the background, there are ingredients like cranberries and brown sugar, along with a small bowl containing the egg wash, giving a festive touch to the scene.

Tips & Tricks

Puff pastry can be challenging; that’s why I have some tips and tricks for you! I also have two full guides dedicated to this type of dough. Check out my Puff Pastry Guide and Puff Pastry Mistakes & How To Avoid Them.

Chilling Dough: If the puff pastry becomes too soft, chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes before wrapping the brie to prevent it from sticking or tearing.
Baking Dish: For a more contained shape, place the wrapped brie in a 9 or 10-inch round baking dish or even a small cast-iron skillet.
Cooling: Allowing the brie to cool slightly before slicing prevents the cheese from oozing out too quickly.
Preventing Soggy Pastry: To keep the pastry from becoming soggy, you can lightly score the top of the brie rind with a knife to allow steam to escape, but avoid cutting all the way through. This keeps moisture from getting trapped inside the pastry.
Making Ahead: To save time, you can assemble the baked brie up to a day in advance. Wrap the assembled brie in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, simply unwrap, brush with egg wash, and bake as directed.
Egg Wash Tips: For an extra golden and shiny finish, brush the pastry with a second coat of egg wash about halfway through baking. This helps create a beautiful, bakery-like appearance.
Handling Hot Brie: Use a spatula to transfer the hot baked brie carefully to a serving platter. The cheese inside will be molten, so avoid handling it directly with your hands to prevent burns.
Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store the baked brie in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes to restore the crispy texture of the pastry before serving.

The image shows a beautifully baked brie wrapped in golden, flaky pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The pastry is perfectly browned, with visible folds and slight puffiness, indicating it’s cooked through. In the background, festive elements like a bowl of fresh cranberries, brown sugar, grapes, and seasonal greenery add warmth and a holiday feel to the presentation. The setting suggests a cozy, celebratory atmosphere, perfect for serving this elegant appetizer.

Variations I Actually Make

This recipe is extremely versatile, and here are the flavor combos I usually go for!

Cranberry sauce with chopped pecans
Fig jam with fresh thyme
Hot pepper jelly with caramelized onions
Honey and walnuts for something simple
Thin apple slices tossed in cinnamon sugar for a fall version

If you like this style of appetizer, Mini Baked Brie Appetizers use the same idea in a single-serving format, and Spinach Puffs with Bacon follow a similar puff-pastry method with a savory filling.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to five days. I reheat baked brie in a 350ºF oven until the pastry re-crisps and the cheese softens again. I avoid the microwave — it melts the cheese unevenly and softens the pastry.

This close-up image reveals a baked brie wrapped in a golden, flaky pastry with a deliciously gooey interior, featuring melted brie cheese combined with a vibrant cranberry filling. The pastry has been opened to showcase the warm, creamy cheese and tart cranberry mixture, creating an appealing contrast of textures and colors. Surrounding the brie are seeded crackers, fresh figs, frosted cranberries, and sprigs of rosemary, adding a festive, rustic feel to the presentation. This setup is perfect for a holiday appetizer, inviting guests to enjoy a cozy and flavorful treat.

FAQs

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

Yes. I assemble it fully, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to one day. I wait to add egg wash until just before baking.

Why did my pastry open while baking?

Usually from overfilling or warm dough. Chilling helps.

Can I bake this in a dish instead of on a sheet pan?

Yes. A small round baking dish or cast-iron skillet helps contain the shape if needed.

What brie works best?

A standard wheel, not overly ripe. Very soft brie melts too quickly.

This image showcases a beautifully baked brie, golden and flaky, displayed on a serving board surrounded by an inviting assortment of accompaniments. Fresh figs, sprigs of rosemary, seeded crackers, and round flatbread crackers enhance the presentation, providing a variety of flavors and textures for pairing with the brie. In the background, there are seasonal garnishes, such as a bowl of fresh cranberries, a bunch of red grapes, and rustic wooden bowls filled with brown sugar and pinecones, creating a festive, holiday-inspired atmosphere. The overall setup exudes warmth and elegance, perfect for a holiday gathering or special occasion.

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you enjoyed this, you might also like Tomato Tart for something sliceable or Strawberry Puff Pastry Braid if you want a sweeter option. Puff Pastry Pinwheels are another easy choice when you need something quick.

If you make this baked brie, I’d love to know how you topped it. Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram — especially if you tried a combination you loved.

Baked Brie

Camila Hurst

Baked Brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry, with gooey cheese, cranberry sauce, and optional nuts—a perfect, crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry frozen or homemade using this recipe
1 8 oz brie cheese round 5 to 7 inches
1/4 cup cranberry sauce optional (or any jam)
1 large egg beaten (for egg wash)
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

If using store-bought puff pastry, thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions. You can let it sit at room temperature for 30 min to 1 hour until softened. Or wrap each sheet in paper towels and microwave for 15 seconds on each side. It’s ready to be used when you can easily unfold it. Or use the homemade recipe here.
Or make homemade puff pastry dough using this recipe. This recipe will yield enough puff pastry for two baked brie appetizers.
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Or lightly grease a 9 or 10 inch baking dish.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a 12-inch square, about 1/8-inch thick.
Place the brie round in the middle of the pastry.
Top with the cranberry sauce or jam, if using. If using chopped nuts, sprinkle them on top.
Fold the pastry over the brie, fully encasing it. Brush the whisked egg to help the pastry stick together.
Use a knife to score gently around the dough, don’t cut all the way through.
Brush the pastry with the beaten egg all over to give it a golden finish.
Place the wrapped brie on the prepared baking dish, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until baked through, golden brown, and crispy.
Let the baked brie sit for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serve with crackers, baguette, or apple slices.

Notes

Homemade Puff Pastry: You can use this recipe for the homemade puff pastry here. If using homemade puff pastry, divide into two equal portions, you will be able to make two baked brie pastries, or you can make one and freeze the remaining dough.

Jam: You can use any jam you’d like such as hot pepper jelly, raspberry jam, apricot preserves, or fig preserves. You can also skip the jam altogether and make it plain.

Mini Baked Brie: Try the mini version of this recipe here.