Ingredients
Scale
- 1 wheel (8 oz) brie cheese
- 6-8 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: 1 tablespoon honey for drizzling
For Serving:
- Sliced baguette or crackers
- Fresh fruit (grapes, apple slices, figs)
- Additional fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F and let it fully preheat while you prepare the brie. Position a rack in the center of the oven for even heating.
- Prepare the brie: Remove the brie from its packaging and any plastic wrapping. If desired, use a sharp knife to score the top rind in a crosshatch pattern—this helps the garlic and herbs infuse the cheese, though it’s completely optional. Place the brie wheel in a small oven-safe baking dish, pie plate, or cast iron skillet that’s just slightly larger than the cheese wheel.
- Prepare the garlic and herbs: Peel your garlic cloves if you haven’t already. Scatter the whole peeled garlic cloves around and on top of the brie. Strip the leaves from the rosemary and thyme sprigs (or leave small sprigs whole if you prefer) and arrange them over and around the cheese. Reserve a few sprigs for garnish after baking.
- Season and drizzle: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the brie, garlic, and herbs, making sure everything gets a light coating. The oil will pool slightly in the dish, which is perfect—it will continue to infuse flavors as the cheese bakes. Sprinkle the salt and freshly cracked black pepper over the top.
- Bake until melted: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The brie is ready when it feels very soft when gently pressed and looks slightly puffy—you should see the cheese starting to ooze slightly at the sides. The garlic should be tender and lightly golden. If the garlic starts browning too much before the cheese is melted, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
- Check for doneness: To test if the brie is perfectly melted, gently press the top with a spoon—it should feel very soft and giving, almost jiggly. If it still feels firm, return to the oven for 2-3 more minutes. Be careful not to overbake, as the cheese can become greasy if heated too long.
- Rest briefly: Remove from the oven and let the baked brie rest for 2-3 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to serve while still maintaining that gorgeous gooey texture. The garlic will continue to soften during this resting time.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the brie (still in its baking dish or carefully moved to a serving platter) to your serving area. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs for a beautiful presentation. If desired, drizzle with honey for a sweet contrast. Serve immediately with sliced baguette, crackers, apple slices, or grapes. Encourage guests to scoop up the cheese along with the roasted garlic cloves and herb-infused oil.
Notes
- Rind Removal: The white rind on brie is completely edible and safe to eat! It’s made from the same mold family as penicillin (Penicillium candidum) and adds an earthy, mushroomy flavor. However, if you or your guests prefer, you can slice off the top rind before baking for easier cheese access.
- Size Adjustments: For a larger wheel (13-16 oz), increase baking time to 18-20 minutes and double the garlic and herbs.
- Temperature Check: Brie should be served warm but not piping hot. If it’s too hot, the cheese will be runny and difficult to scoop.
- Oil Pooling: Don’t worry if oil pools in the bottom of the dish—this is flavorful and perfect for dipping bread!
- Garlic Texture: The roasted garlic should be soft enough to spread on bread alongside the cheese—it’s sweet and mild, not harsh like raw garlic.
- Timing: This dish is best served immediately while warm. The cheese will firm up as it cools but can be reheated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅛ of brie wheel (1 oz cheese plus garlic and oil)
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 35mg