Easy Baked Brie Puff Pastry Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you cut the rind off brie before baking in puff pastry? ›

Brie rind is edible, and it actually adds nuance and complexity of flavor. In this baked brie recipe, I do not remove the rind because I need the surface to spread my jam and to add my beautiful nuts and toppings.

No, you don't have to remove the rind before baking brie. The rind is edible and I don't even think you can taste it after the brie is baked. If you want to remove the rind, you can use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the thin rind of the cheese at the top of the wheel. This is easier to do when the brie is cold.

A note about the rind: I did not cut the rind off before baking. It is perfectly edible and you actually don't notice it much after your brie is baked. When I'm eating brie unbaked I sometimes cut off the rind, simply because I don't enjoy it. So, either way really.

If you left the rind of the cheese on, the baked brie may seem like it is rubbery once heated, or the brie was overcooked by leaving it in the oven too long. To avoid the rubbery texture, remove the rind of the cheese and make sure to not overbake the brie in the oven.

Stand the brie on its side and use a serrated knife to slice both circular ends off of the brie. Once you've made the cut, use your fingers to pry off the rind. If the brie is sufficiently firm, the top and bottom should be easy to cut off.

Unwrap your Brie and place your wheel on a small piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Note: if you have the time, take the cheese out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for an hour before baking. This is optional but helps the cheese bake more evenly. Bake for 10-20 minutes in the oven.

Jam - personally, I love the flavour of brie cheese with fig fruit jam, it goes so well with the savoury and sweet flavours. However, you can use absolutely any jam you like! A few of my favourite varieties include: blackberry, boysenberry, apricot or cherry jam.

Jams, Compotes, and Chutneys. Fresh preserves and jams are common toppings for baked brie, as their sweet flavors swirl into the melty cheese making an irresistible (and beautiful!) sweet and savory combination.

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types). Oven: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (for 250g/80z), or until melted through. For 500g/1lb brie, increase to 25 minutes. To check, gently touch the centre of the brie – it should feel very soft, like it is about to collapse if you press any harder.

Remove any plastic packaging before baking. The brie can be baked in the wooden box it comes in, but make sure it's secured with a metal staple rather than glue, which can melt and collapse in the oven – the cheese won't hold its shape and will start to fall apart.

Is it OK to eat the wax on brie cheese? ›

Yes, the soft “crust” of brie, called a bloomy rind, is edible.

It may be a turnoff but it's a consequence of aging, especially for bloomy-rind cheeses like Brie. As these cheeses ripen, their surface molds break down protein into amino acids and one byproduct of that breakdown is ammonia. When a Brie is aging at the creamery on a rack, the ammonia is evacuated through ventilation.

As Brie cheese ages, it develops a stronger flavor and becomes more complex, with earthy and nutty undertones. The rind of Brie has a slightly tangy and mushroom-like flavor that adds to the overall taste experience.

The taste or smell of ammonia indicates that brie is past its ideal ripeness. The more that brie ages, the more ammonia you'll find. If there is only a minor taste or smell that dissipates as the brie warms and the center is exposed, then it is still safe to eat.

The Bottom Line

So, to answer the question, “Can you eat the rind on Brie?” Yes, it is 100% okay to eat the rind on Brie, and is even recommended. If you enjoy the flavor the rind imparts, eat as much as you like! If you're unsure, try it.

Baked brie is usually eaten by cutting a bit off with a knife and spreading the softened cheese over a cracker. You can make a dip-able baked brie by cutting the top part of the rind off. Leave the sides and bottom of the rind intact; they will hold the cheese together while you bake it.

Yes, you can reheat it! I'm not sure you'll have any leftovers...but, in case, here is what you do. On a low temperature of 200F, place the cold baked brie in the puff pastry on a baking sheet and heat for about 20-30 minutes. You could tent it with foil paper to prevent the crust from browning too much.

Brie en Croûte is a festive French appetizer that is simply perfect for entertaining. Made with store-bought puff pastry, it encases a warm and melty whole wheel of brie, that's then topped with honey, cranberries, nuts and thyme. Serve it on a platter with fruits and crackers, and be sure to impress your guests!