This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Ourย Disclosure Policy.
This French-inspired brie en croute recipe is an elegant yet ridiculously easy appetizer made with buttery puff pastry, wrapped around creamy, melted brie with sweet jam, creating the ultimate crowd-pleasing centerpiece for Thanksgiving or Christmas parties. Serve with a sliced baguette or fancy crackers!
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
A Note from Cheryl
While you could easily buy the Whole Foods brie en croute or the Trader Joeโs brie en croute and call it a day, you can make it yourself at home, and honestly, it tastes even better. We’re talking flaky, golden puff pastry wrapped around an entire wheel of melty, gooey brie cheese with a sweet jam center. It’s the kind of appetizer that makes people stop mid-conversation and head straight for the cheese board.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- Making this brie en croute with jam at home means you control the quality of every ingredient – from the brie to the puff pastry to the jam flavor. Plus, homemade always tastes better than something that’s been sitting in a freezer case. You’ll notice the difference in that flaky, buttery pastry.
- From fridge to table in half an hour means you can focus on other dishes (or pour yourself that well-deserved glass of wine). The puff pastry does all the heavy lifting while you play hostess. You could serve it alongside some other favorites like Lobster Escargot, Shrimp Cocktail with Homemade Cocktail Sauce, 2-Ingredient Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and Deviled Eggs with Bacon, and then pour that second glass of wine as you sit back and relax!
- Assemble this beauty up to 24 hours in advance (or freeze it for up to a month!), then pop it in the oven when guests arrive. It’s the ultimate stress-free entertaining hack that lets you enjoy your own party.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- I know it’s tempting to dive right in when that golden pastry comes out of the oven, but give it a solid 5-10 minutes to cool slightly. Cut into it too soon and you’ll have a molten cheese explosion all over your serving platter. A little patience here means beautiful, neat slices that hold their shape.
- Look for brie labeled “triple-cream” (it has at least 75% butterfat) for that ultra-melty, luxurious texture we’re after. Regular brie works too, but triple-cream takes it to the next levelโit gets ridiculously oozy and decadent when baked.
- Brushing that beaten egg all over the pastry is what gives you that gorgeous, glossy, deep golden-brown finish. It’s the difference between homemade-looking and bakery-beautiful. Take an extra 30 seconds to brush it on thoroughly, even the sides and decorations.
- Press the pastry seams firmly against the brie and pinch well to seal. Any gaps or loose spots will let cheese ooze out during baking. Use a little water or extra egg wash on the pastry edges if needed to help them stick togetherโthink of it as edible glue.
Recipe Variations
Savory Brie en Croute: Skip the jam and try sun-dried tomatoes with olive tapenade and toasted pine nuts for a Mediterranean twist. Caramelized onions with fresh thyme also work beautifully.
Nutty and Sweet: Add 2-3 tablespoons of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top of the jam before wrapping. The crunch factor is seriously good.
Honey Drizzle: Replace jam with a generous drizzle of honey and sprinkle with fresh rosemary. Top with dried cranberries or cherries for a festive touch.
Spicy Kick: Use pepper jelly instead of fruit jam for a sweet-and-spicy version that’s totally addictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While those premade versions are convenient, making it yourself gives you fresher ingredients, better texture, and the ability to customize. Plus, the store versions are often frozen and take 35+ minutes to bake, while yours is ready in 30 minutes from fresh ingredients.
For sure, you can assemble it up to 24 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated, or freeze it for up to 1 month. If baking from the fridge, add 5 minutes to the baking time. If baking from frozen, add about 10 minutes.
Nope! The rind is edible and helps hold the cheese together while baking. Some people like to score or lightly trim the top rind, but it’s not necessary.
No worriesโjust patch it with a small piece of pastry and press to seal. Once it’s wrapped and baked, you won’t even notice. The egg wash helps everything hold together.
You can, but puff pastry gives you those iconic flaky, buttery layers that make this so special. Pie crust will work in a pinch, but the texture won’t be quite as light and impressive.
The pastry should be deeply golden brown all over and feel crisp to the touch. If it’s still pale or soft, give it a few more minutes.
Set it on a board or platter with crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh fruit like apple or pear slices. Provide a cheese knife or small spreader so guests can serve themselves easily.
More Holiday Appetizer Recipes
- โโ2-Ingredient Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Dip
- Cranberry Jalapeรฑo Dip
- Perfect Keto Charcuterie Board
- 3-Ingredient Sausage Dip (Stovetop or Crockpot)
- Fully-Loaded Bagel Bar
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (No Marshmallow Fluff!)
- 3-Ingredient Boursin Dip
- Best Ever Cranberry Brie Bites
- Whole30 Grazing Board (Paleo, Dairy Free, Gluten Free)
- Warm Truffle Baked Burrata with Crostini
- Cranberry Brie Dip
- Smoked Cream Cheese
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Baked Brie en Croute
Equipment
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Sharp knife or paring knife
- Small cookie cutters optional
- Cheese knife or triangle server for serving
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed overnight in refrigerator
- 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam or apricot jam, heaped
- 8 ounce wheel brie cheese or camembert
- 1 large egg beaten
- Fresh thyme leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ยฐF (220ยฐC) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On clean, lightly floured surface, place 1 sheet puff pastry and unfold. Using rolling pin, lightly roll to close any cracks in pastry.
- Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons jam in center of pastry, then place 1 8-ounce wheel brie directly on jam.
- Fold pastry up over brie from all sides, forming neat package. Using hands, gently press edges of pastry against brie to neaten sides and pinch seams together to seal shut.
- If desired, trim excess pastry and cut decorative shapes to place on top of wrapped brie. Create decorations by cutting shapes with paring knife or punching out with cookie cutter.
- Place wrapped brie bundle seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.
- Using pastry brush, brush 1 beaten egg over tops and sides of brie bundle. If decorating with pastry scraps, brush those with beaten egg and set on top of wrapped brie, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Transfer baking sheet with brie to preheated 425ยฐF (220ยฐC) oven and bake until pastry is deeply golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Transfer baked brie to serving platter and garnish with fresh thyme leaves if using. Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh fruit. Brie en croute is best served warm or at room temperature.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @40aprons on Instagram and be sure to leave a review on the blog post!
Never Miss A Meal!
New Recipes Straight To Your Inbox
A curated selection of our most recent recipes, delivered straight to your inbox once a week.
Thank you!
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.