Baked Brie with Jam

Baked brie with jam is one of the easiest appetizers out there! Made with just a few simple ingredients like your favorite jam, garlic, fresh thyme and balsamic glaze, this baked brie without pastry will become an entertaining staple and is ready in under 25 minutes.

This appetizer is a secret weapon in your back pocket during the holiday season–it’s perfect for Christmas. Grab a wheel or two of your favorite brie cheese to have in your fridge and with a little jam or fruit spread, some fresh herbs, garlic and balsamic glaze, you’ve got yourself an effortless appetizer.

You can also pick up some camembert for a similar appetizer and make baked camembert with red pepper jelly.

Why this recipe works

The combination of sweet and savory help to balance this delicious and gooey baked brie. Using a brie baker (which is a fabulous, under $30 budget-friendly gift!) helps the cheese melt slowly and is such a cute way to present it.

Ingredients you’ll need

• A wheel of brie cheese, this recipe calls for 300g or about 10oz of cheese. You’ll want to use a full wheel instead of a wedge for the presentation. Be sure to measure the size of your brie baker so that the wheel fits!
• Jam, you can really use any fruit spread, but I like to use either strawberry jam, or raspberry jam.
• Garlic adds some nice flavour, make sure you use a small clove as it can be over powering if the clove is too big.
• Fresh thyme adds nice floral notes, I also like to add some more before serving as well.
• Balsamic glaze helps to cut through the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the jam with some acidity. If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can hit the cheese with a little sprinkle of balsamic vinegar, but be careful as it can add too much acidity.

Expert tips

1. Keep an eye on the cheese when you’re baking it, check at 15 minutes and then continue baking if it’s not melted enough. If you overcook the cheese, it will split and be pretty inedible.
2. Keep the rind on for this recipe, and score a grid pattern on the top of the cheese, it helps heat the cheese more evenly and for the air to escape (aka there will be no brie explosion!).
3. If you don’t have a brie baker, you can make this on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, just tent loosely with foil to create a similar environment.
4. To check if it is finished cooking and the cheese is melted, insert the paring knife into the centre of the brie, if it comes out warm or with melted cheese on it, the brie is ready.

Step by step instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F. With a paring knife, score a grid pattern on top of the cheese. Sprinkle garlic and fresh thyme leaves evenly over top. Top with jam and spread evenly, leaving about a ¼″ border.
2. Cover and bake for 15-20 minutes, checking after 15 minutes to test for doneness. Insert the tip of a paring knife into the center of brie, if it comes out warm or with melted cheese on it, the brie is ready.
3. Let sit for five minutes to cool. Top with more fresh thyme and some fresh berries, for presentation. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

More easy holiday appetizers

Puff pastry brie bites

Cheesy herbed garlic bread

Deviled quail eggs