Change up the basic baked brie recipe with this bright and fruity take on a classic crowd pleaser. Baked Brie with Fig Jam pairs creamy, salty, and sweet flavors all into one delicious appetizer.
It's perfect for charcuterie boards, special occasions, holidays, and more!
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If you love gooey brie cheese as much as I do, you're going to fall head over heels for this classic baked brie with fig jam, orange, and honey. It's the perfect appetizer for pretty much any occasion, and works just as well for a casual Friday night as it does for cocktail parties.
Serve it with crostini, pita chips, and fresh fruit for a simple, yet beautiful presentation. Your guests will love it, and you'll love how little time it took!
Why You'll Love It
- Elegant. Even though it has to be one of the easiest appetizers, baked brie is also low key fancy.
- Flavorful. Creamy, salty brie is paired with sweet fig jam, bright citrus, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Absolute perfection!
- Perfect for the holiday season. With its Wintry elements, this impressive appetizer is the perfect addition to your cheese board or holiday table.
- Versatile. You can easily swap out the fig jam for your favorite fruit spread or preserves, and switch up the garnish for a fresh take on a timeless classic.
Ingredients
- Brie: No need to go fancy for baked brie. You can go with inexpensive options, or use camembert instead.
- Fig jam: The contrast of sweet fig jam with creamy brie cheese is absolutely perfect! Use store-bought or your favorite fig jam recipe.
- Thyme: This is optional, but adds a subtle earthiness.
- Orange zest: A touch of bright citrus rounds out and enhances the other flavors.
- Honey (optional): I happen to love honey and brie, but you can leave it out or swap it for maple syrup if you prefer.
For dipping:
- Baguette slices (I recommend my toasted crostini recipe)
- Grapes
- Apples
- Pears
- Pita chips, crackers, etc.
How to Make Baked Brie with Fig Jam
All you need to make this elegant appetizer is a wheel of brie cheese, some fruit preserves, and a few garnishes. The best part? Everyone will think you spent hours in the kitchen!
Step one: Place the cheese wheel in a shallow baking dish and score a crosshatch pattern in the top rind with a sharp knife.
Step two: Carefully spoon the fig jam on top of the cheese in an even layer.
Step three: Bake in a 400ºF (204ºC) oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the center is ultra gooey.
Top tip: Test the center with a toothpick or cake tester and be careful not to overcook, as that can cause the brie to harden.
Garnish and Serve
Step three: Sprinkle on the orange zest and thyme leaves according to your taste. Then serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Baked Brie
- Fresh fruit (like grapes, pears, and apple slices)
- Toasted baguette slices (or plain ones)
- Fresh figs
- Pita chips
- Crackers
- Charcuterie boards
- Walnuts or pecans
Leftovers?
If you have any leftover baked brie, you can cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, or until hot and bubbly in the middle, then serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- No brie baker? No problem. If you don't have a shallow baking dish (or an iron skillet), you can bake your cheese on a sheet pan lined with a piece of parchment paper. It won't maintain its shape as well, but will taste just as delicious!
- Go for economical. This method lends itself well to less expensive options. Use whatever works for your budget and know that you'll still get tasty results.
- Gooey cheese. You have about 10 minutes before the brie starts to thicken as it cools. This is the perfect window for scooping, and then you'll have a little time (5-10 minutes) where you can use an appetizer knife to smear and spread.
- Sometimes I'll leave the oven going and just pop it in for a few minutes to soften it again.
- If you have more than 5-6 people at your party the whole thing will probably be gone within 10 minutes anyway!
Variations
Apricot jam: Substitute the fig jam for apricot jam. Orange pairs well with apricot, but you may want to swap out the thyme and use something like fresh grated ginger or a sprinkle of cinnamon instead.
Cranberry sauce: Swap in some cranberry sauce in place of the fig preserves. Both the orange and thyme pair well with cranberries, so you can leave those as is.
Raspberry jam: Use this (or raspberry preserves) in place of the fig type used in the base recipe. Swap out the orange for lemon, and use a sprinkle of cinnamon instead of thyme.
Baked brie en croute: This is a very popular appetizer that involves wrapping brie in puff pastry before baking. It is brushed with an egg wash for a golden crust, and may (or may not) be served with fresh herbs.
If you loved this easy brie appetizer, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card, OR tag me on Instagram @maritimecountrykitchen!
Baked Brie with Fig Jam
Equipment
- Brie baker or small-medium baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 wheel brie cheese (8-16 ounces/ 250-450g) or camembert
- 2-3 tablespoons fig jam
- ½ large orange zest only
- 1-2 sprigs thyme leaves only
- Honey for drizzling (optional)
For dipping:
- Plain or toasted baguette slices (also known as crostini)
- Grapes
- Apple slices
- Pear slices
- Crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Prepare. Unwrap the brie cheese and place it in a shallow baking dish or brie baker.
- Score. Use a sharp knife to slice a crosshatch pattern* into the surface of the brie.
- Top. Spread the fig jam on top in an even layer, leaving a ½” margin around the edge of the cheese.
- Bake. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or just until melted through. Be careful not to overcook, which will cause it to turn hard in the center. I recommend checking the center with a toothpick, cake tester, or small knife.
- Garnish. Remove from the oven and immediately garnish with fresh thyme leaves and orange zest.
- Serve. Place the baking dish on a hot pad and serve immediately with crostini, grapes, apples, pears, crackers, or the option of your choice.
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