How to Make Baked Brie en Croûte for a Cheesy Appetizer Delight
When it comes to party foods, cheesy appetizers are often the first to disappear. Slices of cheese with meats, fruits, and veggies are great starters as is a stunning charcuterie board, but for an appetizer that's both pretty and simple to make, it's hard to top baked Brie en croûte (or Brie wrapped in puff pastry). The flaky pastry encasing warm, melty cheese always impresses. "En croûte," French for "in a crust," describes the treatment of the wheel of Brie in our Baked Brie recipe. Classically topped with fruit jam and wrapped in puff pastry, Brie en croûte is a popular premade (and sometimes pricey) purchase for holiday parties and other entertaining occasions. Save money and customize with your favorite jams and nuts by following this simple method.
Robert Jacobs
How to Make Baked Brie en Croûte
Refrigerated puff pastry is the baking hero of the encrusted Brie dish. Light and layered, quick to cook, and extremely adaptable, it makes it possible to have Brie en croûte in the oven in a matter of minutes.
Jason Donnelly
Step 1: Roll Dough and Cut Circles
Lightly dust your work surface with flour, and unfold one sheet of packaged frozen puff pastry. Roll dough to a 16x10-inch rectangle. Use an 8-inch round cake pan ($7, Target) as a guide to cut two circles. Save the excess pastry.
Jason Donnelly
Step 2: Customize and Assemble
Spread each pastry circle with your jelly or other fruit spread of choice and, if desired, a sprinkle of nuts that have been toasted and chopped. If using nuts, press them lightly into the jelly so they stick better.
Make an egg wash and set aside. Place pastry circles over Brie rounds. Invert so the jelly side is down. Brush edges of the pastry with your egg wash and carefully bring the pastry up and over each cheese round, pleating the edges as necessary to cover and seal.
Jason Donnelly
Step 3: Trim Pastry and Bake
Use kitchen shears ($10, Target) to trim excess pastry from pleats and create an even thickness.
Place both rounds of Brie wrapped in puff pastry on your baking sheet ($11, Bed Bath & Beyond) Brush remaining egg wash over the tops and sides. Use a knife to cut slits in each pastry so steam can escape, then cut shapes out of the excess dough to add a decorative touch to the top of each pastry. Brush dough shapes with egg wash and bake until golden brown. See the recipe details for the Brie en croûte cooking time.
Let stand 10 to 20 minutes before serving.
What to Serve with Baked Brie en Croûte
Now that your golden pastry-wrapped Brie is ready for the appetizer table, you may need help deciding how to eat baked Brie en croûte. The first thing to know is that yes, the rind can be eaten. If you dislike the rind flavor, you can eat around it and/or cut some of it off before assembling your recipe. Then simply use a cheese knife, or a basic butter knife to cut into the round and spread onto fruit, crackers, or bread.
Slices of apples and pears are go-to items for serving with Brie en croûte as their natural sweetness compliments the flavors of the Brie. But toasted bread, crackers, nuts, and other fruits and sliced veggies are delicious serve-alongs too. Drizzle with more jelly, honey, balsamic glaze, or anything else that sounds good for even more flavor ideas.
