Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe
If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that’s as easy as it is delicious, you’ve got to try my Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe. This little bundle of ooey-gooey cheese wrapped in flaky puff pastry, with a sweet jam and crunchy walnuts tucked inside, always steals the spotlight at my gatherings. Trust me, once you go homemade, store-bought won’t cut it anymore. Stick with me here—I’m gonna walk you through every step so you can nail this elegant yet simple treat every single time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The sharp creaminess of brie contrasts delightfully with sweet fig jam and crunchy toasted walnuts.
- Simple Yet Elegant: Using puff pastry creates a golden, flaky crust without complicated dough-making.
- Prep-Friendly: You can assemble this ahead and refrigerate, making party hosting a breeze.
- Golden Crust Control: Chilling the wrapped brie before baking keeps cheese from oozing out, giving you a neat, beautiful presentation.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role to build layers of texture and flavor. From the buttery puff pastry that crisps into golden perfection to the sweet jam that complements the brie’s lush creaminess, it’s all about balance—and a little love.
- Frozen Puff Pastry Sheet: Easy to use and bakes up beautifully flaky; make sure to thaw it properly before rolling.
- Brie Cheese Wheel: The star of the show; buy a good-quality wheel roughly 8-12 ounces for just the right size.
- Fig Jam: My go-to jam for sweetness and a subtle fruitiness—you can swap for apricot or raspberry to mix it up.
- Walnuts: Toasted walnuts add that essential crunch and an earthy note that balances the jam.
- Egg Wash (Egg & Water): Brushed on to give your pastry that golden, glossy finish everyone loves.
- Fruits, Crackers, Crostini: Great for serving and create a lovely spread that pleases all kinds of palates.
- Fresh Rosemary or Thyme (Optional): Adds a subtle herbal aroma and looks pretty as garnish.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love making this my own by swapping jams and nuts depending on the season or occasion. Feel free to get creative! It’s your party, after all.
- Variation: Sometimes I use raspberry jam and sliced almonds for a lighter crunch and a pop of color—neighbors always ask for seconds!
- Dietary Tip: For a gluten-free twist, you can use gluten-free puff pastry sheets—just follow the baking instructions as usual.
- Seasonal Touch: Around the holidays, I add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey over the top before baking for a cozy vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pastry and Brie
First off, preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While that’s warming up, gently roll out your thawed puff pastry into a roughly 10-12 inch square. Don’t stress about being perfect here; rustic edges give it character. Place your brie cheese wheel right in the center. Next, spread the fig jam evenly over the top of the brie—this is where your savory/sweet magic starts. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the jam for that lovely crunch factor.
Step 2: Wrap It Up Like a Little Present
Now, here’s a trick I swear by: make a cut at each corner of your puff pastry, slicing towards the center but stopping about half an inch from the brie. This creates four triangular “flaps”. Fold each one up and over the cheese, pinwheel-style, and pinch the edges together. Brush the seams with your egg wash to seal it tight—this helps keep everything together during baking. Then, pop the wrapped brie into the fridge for 20 minutes. Trust me, this chilling step is a game-changer—it helps the pastry hold its shape and keeps the cheese from melting too fast.
Step 3: Brush, Bake, and Wait Patiently
Before your brie hits the oven, brush the entire puff pastry surface with egg wash—that’s what gives you that mouthwatering golden gloss. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until your pastry is beautifully puffed and golden brown. When it’s done, remove it from the oven but don’t rush to cut into it! Let it rest for about 5 minutes; this lets the molten cheese settle up so it’s easier to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe
- Chill Before Baking: Don’t skip refrigerating after wrapping—this helps the pastry hold up and keeps the cheese from spilling out.
- Toast Your Nuts: Briefly toasting walnuts deepens their flavor and adds a lovely crunch—trust me, it’s worth the extra minute.
- Watch Your Oven: Oven temps vary, so start checking for golden color around 25 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Rest for Better Serving: Let the baked brie cool a bit before slicing to avoid a lava-style cheese explosion on your plate.
How to Serve Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs on top for a pop of green and herbal aroma—it elevates the look and the flavor. A drizzle of honey after baking is also a sweet little touch if you want to get fancy.
Side Dishes
This baked brie pairs beautifully with a platter of fresh fruits like sliced pears, grapes, or apple wedges. Add a variety of crackers and toasted crostini, and you’ve got an irresistible spread for snacking or wine night with friends.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like placing the baked brie on a wooden serving board surrounded by clusters of grapes and nuts, making it look like a decadent cheese board centerpiece. Another idea is to sprinkle edible flowers for a colorful, unexpected flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and sometimes I do!), wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind the crust won’t stay nearly as crispy the next day, but the flavors will still be lovely.
Freezing
I haven’t had much luck freezing baked brie because the pastry loses its crispness, but you can wrap the brie in pastry without baking, freeze it, then bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I gently reheat in a 400℉ oven for about 10 minutes to help revive some of the pastry’s flakiness. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the crust soggy and the cheese overly runny.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of jam in the Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe?
Absolutely! While fig jam pairs wonderfully with brie’s creamy texture and walnuts, you can try apricot, raspberry, or even cranberry preserves. Each jam brings its own unique sweetness and tartness, so pick your favorite or what’s in season.
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How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?
The key is chilling the brie wrapped in puff pastry for at least 20 minutes before baking. This firms up the dough and slows melting, so the cheese doesn’t ooze out. Also, sealing the pastry seams with egg wash helps keep everything snug inside.
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Can I prepare the baked brie ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the wrapped brie and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 hours before baking. Just wait to brush on the egg wash until right before popping it in the oven for best results.
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Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?
You can make this gluten-free by using store-bought gluten-free puff pastry. Baking instructions remain the same, but check the package recommendations just in case. It’s a great way to enjoy this indulgence without gluten.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe is one of those simple pleasures that’s both elegant and comforting. I’ve made it countless times—from casual family dinners to holiday parties—and it never fails to impress. It’s easy enough for a weeknight appetizer but special enough to bring out for celebrations. Honestly, once you try it, it might just become your go-to crowd-pleaser, too. So go ahead, wrap that brie, and let the magic happen—you won’t regret it.
Print
Baked Brie with Jam and Pastry Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and elegant baked brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry, topped with fig jam and walnuts, perfect for serving as an appetizer with fruits, crackers, or crostini.
Ingredients
For the Baked Brie
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 10 ounce brie cheese wheel (8-12 ounces is suitable)
- 1/3 cup fig jam (or any preferred jam)
- 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water (for egg wash)
For Serving
- Fruit, crackers, or crostini
- Rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Pastry and Brie: Gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to a 10-12 inch square. Place the brie cheese wheel in the center of the pastry. Spread the fig jam evenly on top of the brie and sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the jam.
- Fold Pastry: Make a cut at each corner of the puff pastry, slicing towards the center but stopping about half an inch from the brie, creating four triangular flaps. Fold each flap up and over the brie, overlapping like a pinwheel. Brush the seams with the egg wash to seal the pastry edges.
- Chill Wrapped Brie: Place the wrapped brie in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up the pastry and help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly when baking.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: After chilling, brush the entire pastry-wrapped brie with the remaining egg wash. Bake on the prepared sheet for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked brie stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional rosemary or thyme sprigs and serve warm with fruits, crackers, or crostini.
Notes
- Customize the recipe by using your favorite type of jam or nuts to suit your taste.
- Toasting the walnuts before adding enhances their flavor significantly.
- Chilling the wrapped brie before baking is important to avoid the cheese melting too fast and leaking.
- For make-ahead convenience, wrap the brie in puff pastry and refrigerate up to 3 hours before baking; apply egg wash just before baking.
- Leftovers store best wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 400℉ oven to retain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
