Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate (2024)

FAQs

Do you take the rind off brie before baking? ›

Keep the rind on, as it will help the cheese hold its shape so it doesn't all melt out. The rind is also edible, so you can enjoy it with the melted cheese, or simply remove the top layer after baking and dunk in crusty bread like a fondue.

The French will traditionally serve Brie with baguette or another crusty bread that won't compete with the cheese. Plain crackers are another convenient choice that won't detract from the cheese.

Brie cheese is the perfect partner to jam! It pairs beautifully with jam varieties, such as: fig, apricot, blackberry, boysenberry or cherry jam.

Unwrap your Brie and place your wheel on a small piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Note: if you have the time, take the cheese out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for an hour before baking. This is optional but helps the cheese bake more evenly. Bake for 10-20 minutes in the oven.

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types). Oven: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (for 250g/80z), or until melted through. For 500g/1lb brie, increase to 25 minutes. To check, gently touch the centre of the brie – it should feel very soft, like it is about to collapse if you press any harder.

Plain saltines, whole grain and multigrain crackers all complement Brie. The cap of a wheel is often removed ( but this is not necessary) and jams or chutneys with or without seeds or nuts are poured on top. A room temperature Brie is soft enough to spread on most crackers, so it becomes a matter of taste preference.

Six top drink pairings for Brie

* A creamy, subtly oaked chardonnay - even a posh white burgundy! * A cherry or raspberry-flavoured fruit beer (Kriek or Frambozen), particularly when the brie is accompanied by fresh cherries. * Guignolet (a cherry-flavoured French aperitif) by the same logic.

Honey Mustard is an excellent balance of spices and sweetness and is likely the most versatile of the options. Pair with anything from buttery Brie to robust Gruyere to sharp Pecorino.

Brie loves being paired with sweet fruit, particularly stone fruits like peaches, figs, apricots and plums. The sweetness and juiciness of stone fruit is a lovely combination with the Brie's creamy texture, making for an easy yet indulgent treat. If stone fruit is out of season, pair Brie with grapes and berries.

What's the difference between Camembert and brie cheese? ›

Brie is typically aged for a longer period, around anywhere between five and ten weeks, which results in a mild and buttery flavour. Camembert, on the other hand, is aged for a slightly shorter period, usually around three to four weeks.

Sweet roasted red peppers, sauteed zucchini, nutty garlic and creamy brie make an appetizer that is as beautiful as it is delicious! Such simply prepared ingredients and yet it was nothing short of amazing!

When it comes to slicing Brie, you're traditionally told to avoid "pointing the cheese," or removing the tip (also referred to as the 'nose') of a brie wedge. This is essentially bad cheese etiquette, as you are meant to enjoy the full range of the Brie's flavor, from the center to rind.

Not only can you eat the rind, you should eat the rind. Technically, the rind is mold, usually Penicillium candidum, but it's good mold! The rind protects the cheese on the inside and helps to give the cheese its flavor. You're missing out on a big part of the flavor and textural experience if you do not eat the rind.

Not only is the rind on Brie safe to eat but it may even keep out harmful organisms that could contaminate the cheese. The mold that grows on other types of cheese is not safe to eat. For example, if you have a wedge of Parmesan in your refrigerator and notice green mold growing, toss it out.

In this baked brie recipe, I do not remove the rind because I need the surface to spread my jam and to add my beautiful nuts and toppings. The rind keeps the wheel of cheese together, and once you take it out of the oven and slice into it, all the gooey deliciousness oozes out like a nice surprise!

Yes, the bloomy rind is completely safe to eat and even keeps the inside safe from any potentially unwanted microorganisms during production. The rind on Brie not only protects and encases the cheese – it also adds a subtle, earthy flavor. With a soft and tender texture, it is meant to complement the paste inside.