This Baked Brie with Strawberries is the easiest and most delicious appetizer recipe ever! Melted and creamy brie cheese is topped with fresh strawberries, fresh basil or mint and caramelized pecans served with baguette rounds or crackers.
Quick and Easy Strawberry Baked Brie
If you are looking for a showstopper addition to your spring appetizers repertoire or holiday party, this Baked Brie with Strawberries recipe is definitely a must!
It’s hard to resist the combination of sweet strawberries and the creamy texture of melted brie any day of the week, and specially during strawberry season.
The best part is, that this easy appetizer recipe doesn’t require any special cooking skills, can be partially made ahead of time and takes about 15 minutes to bake. The perfect appetizer to pop in the oven right before your guests arrive.
What’s in this Brie Recipe and How it Tastes?
In this easy recipe, a whole brie cheese is oven baked and then topped with a simple 4 ingredients strawberry mixture made with sweet, juicy and ripe strawberries, balsamic vinegar, fresh mint or basil and honey or sugar.
The combination of fresh and cold balsamic strawberries and gooey brie cheese. The richness of the creamy cheese and the refreshing taste of sweet-tart strawberries are like a match made in appetizer heaven.
Why You’ll Love This Brie Appetizer?
Flavor: simple yet decadent. Warm brie and fresh berries. Need I say more?
Quick and Easy: One of my favorite things to have is an arsenal of simple appetizer recipes that can be made any time of year, quickly, in a matter of minutes with a handful of ingredients.
Versatile: This crowd-pleasing appetizer can be made with different fresh berries and herbs and can be served with and assortment of crackers or breads.
Ingredients
- Strawberries: This recipe is made with a more of a fresh strawberry salad than a strawberry sauce, as the berries aren’t cooked. Fresh ripe berries are a must and thankfully they are available throughout the year.
- Brie Cheese: I use a whole wheel of brie cheese. This is not the time to use cut up brie, you need a whole brie cheese (with the white rind) to contain the avalanche of creamy melty brie cheese oozing off while the cheese bakes.
- Fresh Mint or Basil: I absolutely love the combination of strawberries and mint. It’s refreshing and full of flavor.
- Sugar or Honey: Although I love a drizzle of honey any day of the week, I usually use sugar (a tablespoon) as it mixes with cold fruit very easily. Maple syrup is also a great alternative.
- Balsamic Vinegar: I use a teaspoon of regular balsamic vinegar. A splash of white balsamic vinegar is a good replacement. If all you have at home is balsamic glaze, no worries. That can be use as well.
- Caramelized Pecans: I love this easy homemade Crunchy Candied Pecans recipe but you can buy glazed pecans (or any other nuts) if preferred. Almonds, cashews and shelled toasted pistachios can be used. If you prefer nuts that aren’t glazed or caramelized, I recommend toasting them first so they release their aroma and flavor.
How To Make Baked Brie Cheese with Strawberries
- Preheat the oven.
- Toss together the strawberries and sugar.
- Place the brie in a shallow baking dish (preferred) or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly score the top of the cheese.
- Bake the brie for 15 minutes or until its soft to the touch and melted inside.
- While the brie bakes, add the chopped mint or basil, balsamic vinegar and half of the nuts to the strawberry mixture.Toss gently to combine.
- Remove the Brie from the oven and top it with the strawberries and glazed nuts. If using a sheet pan, holding the sides of the parchment paper, lift the cheese and place it on a serving platter.
- Serve with an assortment of crackers and/or bread (I like baguette rounds).
Do you Take the Skin off Brie Before Baking?
No, you don’t remove the rind or skin from the brie when baking. You need the rind to hold all the melted, cheesy lava that comes from baking cheese. In this recipe, I lightly score the top rind without penetrating the cheese.
Do you Bake Brie Covered or Uncovered?
In this brie recipe, the cheese is baked uncover.
Does Brie Need to Be Room Temperature Before Baking?
Yes and no. If the cheese goes from the refrigerator to the oven, baking time will take a bit longer than if using room temperature brie. However, we are talking 3-5 additional minutes of baking time.
How Far in Advanced can you Prepare Baked Brie?
It’s best to bake brie right before serving however, the strawberries can be made 2-4 hours in advanced.
Baking Brie Tips For Success
- If you bake the brie cheese on a baking sheet pan, use parchment paper. To transfer the warm cheese to a serving dish, simply lift the cheese by using the sides of parchment paper as handles.
- Use a combination of berries instead of just strawberries.
- Bake the cheese in a preheated oven.
- If you love gooey cheese, add this strawberry baked brie in its baking dish, to your charcuterie board.
- This is a one of my favorite appetizers and one of the easiest recipes to make on Mother’s day (think brunch buffet).
- This recipe is best when served right after is baked.
- Leftovers will keep stored in the refrigerator covered or in an airtight container for a day.
Baked Brie Cheese with Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1/2 pint (8-ounces) strawberries diced plus a few for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon brown or white sugar
- 1 (12-ounces) Brie Cheese wheel (anywhere from 8 to 14 ounces will work)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint or fresh basil
- 1/3 cup candied almonds or pecans or a combination, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Place the strawberries in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Toss gently and allow it to sit while you bake the brie.
- Unwrap the brie and place it in a small baking dish. Score the top of the cheese making sure to only penetrate the rind.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted (gently pat the cheese. It should feel soft and most likely will start to ooze. Remove from the oven.
- During the last 5-6 minutes of baking, add the balsamic vinegar, candied nuts, and mint (or basil) to the strawberry mixture and toss to combine.
- Top the hot brie with the strawberry mixture, garnish with a few whole strawberries and serve with an assortment of crackers and or a baguette.
Recipe Notes
- If you bake the brie cheese on a baking sheet pan, use parchment paper. To transfer the warm cheese to a serving dish, simply lift the cheese by using the sides of parchment paper as handles.
- Use a combination of berries instead of just strawberries.
- This recipe is best when served right after is baked.
- Leftovers will keep stored in the refrigerator covered or in an airtight container for a day.
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