Brie en Croute

This brie en croute is a major crowd pleaser. Serve this French appetizer at your next gathering and watch it get devoured!

baked brie in puff pastry

Over the years, I’ve learned to have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to entertaining, and one of those is this recipe for baked brie, or brie en croute.

Keeping a box of store-bought puff pastry in the freezer has become my go-to solution. A puff pastry sheet is incredibly versatile; you can create so many sweet and savory dishes with it, from desserts to appetizers like this brie en croute.

The beauty of using a store-bought puff pastry sheet is that it saves time without compromising on flaky, buttery layers.

When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw for a short while on a lightly floured surface. Once it’s pliable, you can roll it out just a little if needed, then place your wheel of brie cheese in the center.

The puff pastry will act as a crisp, golden-brown envelope that melts into golden perfection in the oven, creating a stunning presentation for your guests.

Using store-bought puff pastry also makes it easy to experiment with flavor combinations. Add a dollop of fig jam, apricot preserves, or cranberry on top of the brie before folding the pastry over, or tuck slices of apples, pears, or even pecans around the cheese for a delicious accompaniment.

Brush the outside of the puff pastry with an egg wash to give the crust a glossy, golden finish as it bakes on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. The result is a brie en croute that looks like it took hours to prepare, but really only took minutes, perfect for a last-minute appetizer.

It’s the ultimate combination of flaky layers, creamy brie, and sweet fillings, and it pairs beautifully with crackers, a drizzle of honey, or a glass of Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc.

Tips & Tricks for Brie en Croute

Do you cut the rind off brie before baking in puff pastry?
No need! The top rind helps hold the cheese together while baking, and it’s perfectly edible.

Can you make brie en croute ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and wrap it in plastic wrap until you’re ready to bake.

Is brie en croute usually served warm?
Absolutely. Brie melts beautifully in the oven, creating a luscious, gooey center that’s best enjoyed warm.

How do you eat brie in croute?
Use a sharp knife to cut through the puff pastry crust and serve the gooey brie with crackers, slices of apples, pears, or lightly toasted baguette. Sweet toppings like fig jam, apricot, or cranberry are wonderful accompaniments, or honey drizzled on top is also excellent for adding a final layer of flavor.

Baking Your Brie en Croute

1. Preheat your oven. Roll out your puff pastry sheet.
2. Place your wheel of brie in the center of the dough.
3. Fold the puff pastry over the top of the brie and seal the edges. Brush the outside of the puff pastry with egg wash for golden perfection.
4. Place the brie en croute on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until the puff pastry crust is golden brown and flaky.
5. Top the brie en croute with the jam before serving.

Once baked, the brie melts into a gooey, creamy delight. Guests will be lining up for seconds, and you’ll find yourself serving it with a variety of accompaniments, from crackers to slices of apples, pears, or pecans.

The combination of buttery puff pastry layers, sweet jams, and creamy brie cheese embodies the French philosophy of “the good life.”