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Easy Baked Brie Recipe with Figs Walnuts and Ancho Chili Honey
If you are starting to hear those holiday bells ringing, you know that the season of entertaining is officially upon us. For many of us, the "E word" brings a little bit of stress, but hosting a festive gathering does not have to be a chore. The secret to a successful party is having a reliable, high impact appetizer in your back pocket. This baked brie recipe is the perfect solution. It is sophisticated enough to impress your most discerning guests but simple enough to pull together in under fifteen minutes. By mastering the art of the baked brie, you ensure that your guests are fed and happy the moment they walk through the door.
A baked brie is a classic staple of the holiday season, but it does not have to be a boring one. This version takes the traditional gooey cheese we all love and elevates it with a thoughtful combination of textures and flavors. We have added juicy quarters of fresh figs for sweetness, toasted walnuts for a necessary crunch, and a generous drizzle of ancho chili honey for a smoky kick of heat. When you serve this baked brie alongside a glass of La Crema Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, you are creating a pairing where the fruity notes of the wine and the creamy richness of the cheese ride along like best buddies. It is a foolproof way to kick off any winter gathering with style.
How to Make Baked Brie
Making a perfect baked brie is surprisingly simple, but a few small details can elevate it from a basic appetizer to a gourmet centerpiece. The goal is to achieve a warm, molten center while keeping the toppings toasted and flavorful. Because Brie is a soft ripened cheese, it acts as a natural vessel for the sweet figs and smoky honey, creating a beautiful presentation with almost zero effort.
Step 1: Prep Your Toppings
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While the oven warms up, quarter your fresh figs and roughly chop your walnuts. Preparing these beforehand ensures that you can assemble everything quickly. In a small separate bowl, stir your crushed ancho chili into the honey. This allows the heat of the chili to start infusing into the sweetness of the honey while the cheese bakes.
Step 2: The Baking Process
Place your Brie wheel on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This is a crucial step for easy cleanup and a smooth transfer to your serving platter later. Pile the figs and walnuts directly on top of the cheese. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. You are looking for the cheese to feel very soft to the touch and the walnuts to give off a toasted, nutty aroma.
Step 3: The Finishing Touches
Once you remove the Brie from the oven, let it rest for two minutes. This brief pause allows the cheese to set just enough so it does not completely run off the plate when you cut into it. Carefully move the wheel to your serving board using a large spatula. To finish, place a fresh rosemary sprig on top and drizzle your spicy ancho honey generously over the fruit and nuts. A final pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper will perfectly balance the rich flavors.
To Rind or Not to Rind?
One of the most common questions for anyone trying a baked brie recipe for the first time is what to do with that white, papery outer layer. If you are new to the world of soft ripened cheeses, your first instinct might be to trim it away. However, when it comes to baking, that rind is actually your best friend. The rind is entirely edible and serves a vital structural purpose. It acts as a natural, heat resistant bowl that holds the molten cheese together while it is in the oven.
If you remove the rind before you start the baking process, you will likely end up with a messy pool of cheese on your parchment paper rather than a tidy, elegant wheel. Keeping the rind intact ensures that the baked brie maintains its shape on your serving platter, allowing your guests to dip into the center without the cheese spreading too thin. The flavor of the rind is very mild and subtle, so it won't compete with the bold notes of the ancho chili honey or the fresh figs. For the most professional look and the easiest serving experience, leave the rind exactly as it is and let it do the heavy lifting for you.
Baked Brie with Figs, Walnuts, and Ancho Chili Honey Recipe
Author: Gabriel Cabrea
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 small wheel of brie cheese (choose your favorite kind, I recommend something mild)
- 1 cup figs, cut in quarters
- ¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1 rosemary sprig
- ¼ cup honey
- 1/2 dry ancho chili, crushed (if you can’t find ancho chili, use 1 teaspoon of chili flakes)
- Salt and pepper to season
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
- Place the brie cheese on a baking sheet with parchment paper and top with figs and walnuts. Bake the whole thing in the oven for 10-12 min until brie is soft and walnuts are toasted (be careful not to burn them). Remove from the oven and let it stand for a couple minutes before plating it.
- In a small bowl combine the honey with the crushed ancho chili.
- To plate the brie, use a large spatula or fish turner to remove it from the tray. Once plated, top the brie with the rosemary sprig, and drizzle generously with the ancho chile honey. Sprinkle some sea salt and cracked pepper to season.
- Serve the warm brie with a side of bread or as is and let your friends indulge in this great oozy nibble.
What to Serve with Baked Brie
While a baked brie is a star on its own, the "vessels" you choose for dipping can totally change the experience. To balance the creamy texture of the cheese and the heat of the ancho chili honey, you want a mix of crunchy, salty, and fresh elements.
- Toasted Baguette or Sourdough: A classic choice. Slicing a fresh loaf into thin rounds and lightly toasting them provides a sturdy base that can handle a heavy dollop of cheese and a walnut half.
- Fruit Crisps and Seed Crackers: For a more complex crunch, try crackers that feature dried cranberries or pumpkin seeds. These mirror the autumnal flavors of the figs and add a nice structural contrast to the soft cheese.
- Fresh Apple and Pear Slices: If you want a lighter, gluten-free option, tart apple slices like Granny Smith provide a crisp acidity that cuts right through the rich fat of the Brie.
- A Savory Supporting Cast: Consider adding a few handfuls of olives or some thinly sliced prosciutto to the board. The saltiness of the meat and brine balances the sweetness of the honey and figs beautifully.
How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Baked Brie
While it is rare to have any cheese left over after a holiday party, you might find yourself with a small portion of this decadent appetizer at the end of the night. Knowing how to properly store and revive your baked brie recipe ensures that those delicious figs and smoky honey do not go to waste. To keep the cheese fresh, wait for it to cool completely and firm up before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator will help maintain the delicate flavors and prevent the cheese from absorbing other scents from the fridge.
When you are ready for a second round, the method you choose for reheating makes all the difference in texture. While a microwave is fast, it often causes the Brie to become oily and can turn the walnuts soft. Instead, we recommend a low and slow approach in the oven. Place the leftover Brie back on a piece of parchment paper and heat it at 300°F for about five to eight minutes. This gentle temperature allows the center to become gooey again without overcooking the figs or compromising the structure of the rind. Once it is warm and melty, you can enjoy a gourmet snack that tastes just as fresh as it did when the party first started.
Wine + Baked Brie = A Perfect Pairing
Of course, no baked brie spread is complete without a perfectly paired wine to bring out the nuances of the dish. A glass of an acclaimed La Crema Pinot Noir is the ultimate companion here. The bright red fruit and subtle earthy undertones found in these cool climate pours are designed to complement the forest floor notes of the cheese and the smokiness of the chili.
If you prefer a different profile, the versatility of this baked brie recipe allows it to pair beautifully with a variety of other selections from the La Crema portfolio. For those who enjoy a fuller body, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon can stand up to the bold heat of the ancho honey. Alternatively, a Chardonnay matches beautifully with the creamy richness of the Brie. Whether you are pouring a bold red or a bright white, these high quality wines ensure every guest finds their perfect match for this decadent holiday appetizer.
