This show-stopping baked brie in a pie crust is an easy and delicious appetizer for the holidays! It comes out of the oven with a perfectly golden brown crust, warm melted creamy cheese with fig jam and pecans oozing out after the first slice is cut. Using a pre-made, store-bought pie crust, you get an amazing appetizer that bakes in under 30 minutes! Your guests will love this brie en croute served by itself or with a variety of tasty accompaniments like honey, roasted nuts, herbs, fruit and crackers!
My husband and I love to host for the holidays and to make new appetizers like this holiday fruit salad and crispy roasted smashed mini potatoes to serve to our family and friends. This baked brie with pie crust is just as amazing and will definitely “wow” our guests. I just love the flavor and texture combination of a creamy decadent cheese, with sweet jam and toasted nuts. It is beyond dreamy and so addictive! This is truly my new favorite holiday appetizer!
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Ingredients
Brie wheel - A double cream , 8 ounce brie wheel will work fine, I do prefer the President brand, it’s mild and creamy.
Pie crust - You can find ready made pie crust at most stores, Trader Joe’s or Pillsbury brand has great tasting ones.
Fig jam - Adds a nice sweetness, like Dalmatia fig spread, or you can use any fruit preserves of choice to give the dish another layer of flavor.
Chopped pecans - Brings a nice crunch and nutty flavor, you may also use walnuts.
Butter - Used to toast the walnuts.
Instructions
1). When the pie dough is thawed, unroll it, keeping the dough covered with the plastic wrap that it came with. Then, using your hands, smooth out the dough and pinch any cracked parts together.
2). Add the brie wheel to the middle of the pie dough, then spread the jam on top and finish it off with the roasted pecans.
3). Wrap the pie dough over the brie wheel (see below on how to wrap the brie). Then brush the crust thoroughly with an egg wash.
4). Bake the pie crust-encased brie at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes, or until the crust becomes a beautiful golden color.
Let it rest for at least 15 minutes, cut into it and serve!
How to wrap a brie wheel in a pie crust
Step 1. Keep the bottom parchment paper that came with the brie wheel to help you fold and shape the pie crust. This will prevent your warm hands from softening the dough too quickly. Use the plastic wrap to fold the dough up and over one side of the brie wheel.
Step 2. Fold the next section of pie crust over the brie.
Steps 3-5. Repeat the folding process three more times, you should have five flat sides now and one unfolded “flap” of dough (see step 5).
Step 6. Tuck the last dough piece into a shape of a triangle and fold it over to close off the brie wheel. Pull the parchment paper over the brie wheel and gently squeeze the dough to shape it tightly over the brie wheel. Make sure to press in and cover any cracks or tears in the pie crust.
Baked Brie Appetizer Variations
You can easily customize this recipe. Here are some more topping ideas to add to the brie before covering it with the pie crust:
Baked Brie in pie crust with balsamic caramelized onions for a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
Pie crust baked brie with sauteed garlic mushrooms for a savory and creamy combo.
Nutty and sweet baked brie en croute with maple syrup and toasted pecans or walnuts.
Baked brie with apricot preserves, cranberries and almonds is a great use of dried fruit.
Classic baked brie in pie crust with ripe, sliced pear drizzled with honey and toasted walnuts.
What to serve with oven baked brie
Crackers - choose among a variety of multigrain, flavored crisp crackers or plain crackers of choice
Fruit - If serving for the holidays, use Autumn fruit like apples, pear, and grapes.
Nuts - are great for additional texture use seasonal Fall nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts and pecans.
Pro Tips
- To defrost the pie dough quickly, place the frozen dough onto an aluminum baking sheet. You will want to thaw the dough until it’s easily pliable, yet still cold to touch.
- Work quickly to prevent the dough from getting too soft. When it’s too soft, it will stretch and break easily. If it gets too soft while you are folding the dough, place the dough and brie into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to chill the dough.
- It is very important to make sure the dough does not have any cracks or breaks. Use the plastic wrap and your hands to fill in any gaps and cracks, otherwise, the brie will melt and ooze out while it’s baking! Then you’ll end up with an empty pie crust and cheesy mess!
- Forming the pie crust tightly around the brie will result in a more evenly baked crust a more uniform shape.
- Bake on parchment paper to prevent the brie from sticking to the pan, and also to help you transfer the brie to your serving dish.
- You don’t have to toast the nuts, but doing so adds a nuttier flavor that really enhances the dish.
- If you cut into the baked brie when it’s hot out of the oven, the cheese will immediately ooze out and onto the pan. Let it rest 15 to 20 minutes so it firms up a bit, and more will stay inside after you cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, leave the rind on, it’s edible.
A plain, double cream brie wheel is fine, if you want to go fancy, use a triple cream brie which is a more creamy and buttery due to extra cream.
The brie wheel is already covered with the pie dough. You will want to bake it uncovered to get a nice golden crispy crust.
It depends on the room temperature, if your kitchen is warm, it may take about 30 minutes, for colder temperature, it may take up to 40 minutes or more. For a quicker thaw, place the frozen, unrolled pie dough onto an aluminum baking sheet. Aluminum is a conductor of heat, so it will defrost the dough quicker.
More appetizer dishes to try
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Baked Brie in Pie Crust
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounce brie wheel
- 11 ounce pie crust, pre-made I use Trader Joe's brand or Pillsbury brand
- 3 tablespoons Fig jam or jam of choice
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 egg for egg wash
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Defrost the frozen pie crust according to package instructions. Keep the plastic wrap on the dough. When thawed, the dough should be pliable, yet still cold to touch.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Meanwhile, toast the pecans. Heat a small pan on medium heat, add the butter to melt. Add the pecans and a pinch of salt to taste. Stir until it's nicely browned and aromatic, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Make the egg wash. Crack the egg into a small bowl, and whisk it until the yolk is combined evenly with the whites. Set aside.
- Carefully unroll the defrosted pie crust onto a parchment lined baking sheet, still keeping the plastic on.
- Use your hands or rolling pin over the plastic wrap to smooth and fill in any cracks and breaks in the dough. Remove the top plastic sheet from the pie dough, keeping the bottom plastic in place.
- Place the brie wheel to the middle of the pie dough.
- Spread the jam evenly on top of the brie wheel and finish it off with the roasted pecans.
- Use the bottom layer of plastic wrap that came with the pie dough to help with your folding.
- Use the plastic wrap to fold the dough up and over one side of the brie wheel. Picture this side as one side of a hexagon (which has six sides). Fold the next "side" of the dough over the brie to the middle.
- Repeat the folding process three more times, you should have five flat sides now and one unfolded “flap” of dough.
- Tuck the last dough piece into a shape of a triangle, and fold it over the brie towards the center to close off the brie wheel.
- Pull the plastic wrap over the brie and gently squeeze the dough to shape it tightly around the brie wheel. Make sure to press in and cover any cracks or tears in the pie crust, otherwise the brie will leak out when it bakes.
- Remove the bottom plastic wrap. The brie should now be directly on the parchment paper.
- Brush the egg wash with a pastry brush evenly over the top and sides of the pie dough.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until the brie wheel is nicely golden.
- Let the brie rest for at least 15 minutes, cut into it and serve!
Notes
- To defrost the pie dough quickly, place the frozen dough onto an aluminum baking sheet. Thaw the dough until it’s easily pliable, yet still cold to touch.
- Work quickly to prevent the dough from getting too soft. When it’s too soft, it will stretch and break easily. If it gets too soft while you are folding the dough, place the dough and brie into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to chill the dough.
- It is very important to make sure the dough does not have any cracks or breaks. Use the plastic wrap and your hands to fill in any gaps and cracks, otherwise, the brie will melt and ooze out while it’s baking! Then you’ll end up with an empty pie crust and cheesy mess!
Allie
Made this for Valentine's Day with my husband and OMG it was SO GOOD! My husband said this was the best appetizer he's ever had. Definitely going to make again- thanks!
Kaylie
Amazing glad he liked it!