Name: joanna gaines baked brie recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) wheel double-cream Brie cheese; 4 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature; 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed; 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted; Pinch of kosher salt; 2 tablespoons water; 6 Granny Smith apples, sliced (for serving); Juice of 1/2 lemon (for apples)

This gooey, melted joanna gaines baked brie recipe is made with a rich wheel of double-cream cheese, a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping, and ready in just 25 minutes. The cheese softens into a molten pool inside while the butter-sugar paste creates a praline-like shell on top. It is the kind of effortless appetizer I turn to whenever I need something that looks impressive but comes together in moments.

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🧡 Why You Will Love Baked Brie Recipe:

Irresistible Texture: There’s nothing quite like the moment you break through the warm, golden rind to reveal a velvet-smooth, melted center.
Flavor Versatility: Whether you top it with honey and walnuts for sweetness or garlic and rosemary for a savory kick, it adapts perfectly to your taste.
The Perfect Centerpiece: It looks stunning on a wooden board, making it a “scroll-stopping” starter that always impresses guests.
Effortless Prep: It requires minimal active time, leaving you free to focus on your main course or enjoy a glass of wine with your partner.

❓ What Is Baked Brie Recipe?

A Baked Brie recipe is the ultimate warm appetizer that transforms a wheel of creamy French cheese into a molten, velvet-smooth masterpiece. By scoring the rind and baking it at a moderate temperature, the interior softens into a decadent “cheese fondue” consistency. Following James Martin’s bistro-style approach, the brie is often infused with garlic, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of honey to balance its rich, earthy flavor. Served in its box or a ceramic dish with crusty bread, it’s a sophisticated yet effortless starter.

🍎 Joanna Gaines Baked Brie Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) wheel double-cream Brie cheese
4 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Pinch of kosher salt
2 tablespoons water
6 Granny Smith apples, sliced (for serving)
Juice of 1/2 lemon (for apples)

🥧 How To Make Joanna Gaines Baked Brie

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Unwrap the wheel of Brie and place it in the center of a glass pie plate or a rimmed baking dish. Set this aside while you make the topping.
Make the Topping Paste: In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix until the ingredients form a thick, paste-like consistency.
Add the Pecans: Stir the toasted chopped pecans into the butter-sugar mixture until just combined. You want the nuts to be fully coated in the paste.
Top the Cheese: Spread the pecan mixture evenly over the top of the Brie wheel. The layer should be roughly 1 inch thick and cover the top surface.
Bake the Brie: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Watch closely—you want the cheese to look like the sides are bulging and about to give way, but not fully collapsing.
Prepare Apples and Serve: While the cheese bakes, slice the Granny Smith apples and toss them in the lemon juice to prevent browning. Remove the Brie from the oven and serve immediately while warm and gooey.

💡 Recipe Tips

Toast the pecans first: Even though they go into the oven, toasting the raw pecans in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes beforehand adds a deeper, nuttier flavor that stands up to the sweet sugar.
Don’t skip the rimmed dish: As the Brie bakes, some of the butter and sugar mixture will inevitably bubble over. Using a pie plate or rimmed serving dish captures this delicious caramel sauce so you can scoop it up with your apples.
Watch the sides: The “hero moment” happens quickly. If you bake it too long, the rind will burst and the cheese will puddle everywhere. Pull it out when the sides look swollen and soft to the touch.

🥃 What To Serve With Baked Brie?

The classic pairing for this rich dish is tart Granny Smith apples, as their acidity cuts through the heavy cream and sugar perfectly. You can also serve it with sturdy crackers or sliced baguette to add a savory crunch. For a holiday twist, pear slices or even gingersnap cookies make excellent dippers that complement the brown sugar topping.

🏷 How To Know If Baked Brie Is Ready?

You’ll know your Baked Brie is ready when the rind feels soft and pillowy to the touch, and the center is noticeably molten. Look for a slight “jiggle” when you gently shake the dish. If you’ve scored the top, the cheese should look glossy and be starting to ooze through the slits. Bake until it’s hot to the core but still holds its shape—usually about 12–15 minutes at 180°C.

🧭 How Long Does It Take To Cook Brie?

Cooking a standard 250g wheel of Brie typically takes 12 to 15 minutes at 180°C. For larger wheels, you may need up to 20 minutes. You are looking for a soft, pillowy texture that yields easily when pressed. Avoid overbaking, as the cheese can “re-harden” or become oily if the proteins break down too much. When it’s molten and glossy in the center, it’s perfect.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Baked Brie?

Baked Brie is best enjoyed immediately while warm and molten. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 15-second bursts until soft; the texture won’t be quite the same as fresh, but it is still delicious spread on toast.

FAQs

Do I need to remove the rind from the Brie? No, you should leave the rind on. It is completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape while baking so it doesn’t melt into a puddle immediately.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans? Yes, walnuts are a great substitute and pair equally well with brown sugar and apples. Just be sure to toast them slightly to remove any bitterness.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can prepare the butter and sugar paste up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before spreading it on the cheese and baking.
What if I can’t find a 16-ounce wheel? If you can only find smaller 8-ounce wheels, you can use two of them or simply halve the topping recipe. Watch the baking time as smaller wheels may melt faster.
Is the water in the topping necessary? Yes, the small amount of water helps emulsify the butter and sugar into a spreadable paste that creates a cohesive crust rather than just separating into oil and sugar.

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Baked Brie Nutrition Fact

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 340mg
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 10g