Baked Brie with Apples and Walnuts is a sweet and savory appetizer that only takes 15 minutes to make! Brie cheese is baked in the oven until it’s melty and gooey, topped with bourbon and orange-caramelized apples, and sprinkled with toasted walnuts for a seriously scrumptious appetizer. It’s the perfect addition to your next holiday party or any time of year when you’re craving an elegant yet easy appetizer.
The Best Baked Brie Appetizer
If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer, Baked Brie with Apples and Walnuts should be at the top of your list. The depth of flavor from the cooked apples pairs perfectly with the buttery, savory flavor of the brie.
You can make the apples in advance and all you have to do is heat up the brie. It’s amazing smeared on crostini or crackers. Apples are unexpected with brie, most of the time you see brie mixed with cranberries or apricot jam. But these sweetened apples are a great flavor combination.(They have a hint of bourbon)
I got the idea from one of my favorite Southern side dishes, fried apples. I added a little bourbon but it’s the same idea. If you don’t care for bourbon, try some apple brandy, or you can leave it out and they still taste fabulous.
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First, the brie is baked in the oven to soften it and create that melty texture. You don’t need to remove the rind for this part, as the rind becomes nice and soft once baked. However, you can remove it using a knife if you like.
While the brie is baking, caramelize the apples with butter, brown sugar, orange juice, zest, and a splash of bourbon. This mixture will cook in a skillet until it develops a caramel-like texture and rich flavor.
You can make the apples days in advance and just microwave them before adding to the top of the brie.
Finally, toast some walnuts and sprinkle those on top for a bit of crunch. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers, for a deliciously elegant and festive appetizer.
Serve this with some a variety of appetizers like candied pecans and bold Chex mix so that you have different flavors and textures.
Why We Love Brie, and You Should Too
- Festive: Brie cheese appetizers are often served around the holidays, it just feels a little decadent
- Simple: A few basic ingredients are all you need to make this tasty appetizer.
- Quick: This recipe takes 15 minutes warm up, but you can easily prep it in advance so you don’t have to be in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Baked Brie
- Brie round: Brie is a super creamy and rich French cheese made from cow’s milk and has a velvety, edible white rind. You’ll need one 8.8-ounce round for this recipe, which you can find in the deli section of your grocery store.
- Pantry staples: You’ll need unsalted butter and brown sugar.
- Honeycrisp apple: Honeycrisp is perfect for this recipe it has the right balance of tart and sweet, complimenting the cheese. You can use any type of apple you like, just adjust the cooking time as you don’t want them to be mushy, just soft.
- Orange zest and juice: These are added to the apple mixture to add a vibrant, citrusy flavor.
- Bourbon: Adds a depth of caramel flavor. Use any kind of bourbon that you’d typically drink or try apple brandy.
- Walnuts: Toast them in the oven at 375ºF for 5-7 minutes or on the stovetop in a skillet for 5 minutes.
Making This Brie and Apple Appetizer
Step One: Warm the Brie
Pop the brie in the oven until it softens. This makes it creamy and perfect for serving. You don’t need to remove the rind, but it can be easier to scoop out without the rind.
Step Two: Slice and Cook the Apples
Slice the apples. Then, melt butter in a pan and cook the apple slices until they’re golden and just tender.
Step Three: Add the Flavors
Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, and juice. Let it simmer into a rich sauce. Then, pour in bourbon and cook until the mixture thickens slightly and gets bubbly.
Step Four: Assemble and Serve
Spoon the apples over the warm brie and sprinkle with toasted walnuts for the final touch. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Baking dish: Choose a baking dish that is slightly larger than the brie itself to allow room for the apples and nuts in case they fall off. This makes it easier to scoop the brie as well. If you don’t want to cook it in the serving dish, place it on a baking sheet and use a spatula to move it to the serving dish.
- Time: While the brie is baking in the oven, start cooking the apples to cut down on prep time.
- Rind: If you want to cut the rind off, place the wheel of brie in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Then, use a sharp knife to thinly slice along the top rind to remove it. You can leave the sides and bottom to help hold the melty cheese inside once it bakes.
Make It Your Own
- Nuts: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, you can use toasted or even candied pecans or pistachios.
- Spices: Sprinkle a little nutmeg or cinnamon in the apple mixture.
- Apple: You can swap out the Honeycrisp apple for Granny Smith, or go with a sweeter apple like Fuji.
- Pears: Use pears instead of apples.
- Cranberries: Add dried cranberries to sauté with the apple for a more tart flavor.
- Herbs: Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage for a more earthy flavor.
- Bacon: Sprinkle some cooked bacon over the for a smoky flavor.
How to Serve Baked Brie
Place a spoon or spreading knife for guests to scoop up the melty brie cheese onto:
- Baguette slices
- Crackers
- Apple slices
- Homemade baked pita chips
Storage and Reheating
If you have any brie leftover, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the leftover brie in a baking dish in the oven at 350ºF until the cheese is melted, or you can microwave it for a minute or so.
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Baked Brie with Apples and Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 8.8 oz brie round
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 Honeycrisp apple cored and sliced into ½ inch slices
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- Toasted walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Place brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a small oven proof baking dish and bake for 12 minutes until it is soft to the touch in the center. Remove to the serving dish.
- While the brie is warming, cook the apples.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced apples and cook, flipping occasionally until lightly browned and starting to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add brown sugar, orange zest and orange juice and cook until the sugar melts, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add bourbon. Return to heat and cook for about 2-3 minutes until it is bubbly and starts to thicken.
- Spoon apples over brie and top with toasted walnuts.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
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- Baking dish: Choose a baking dish that is slightly larger than the brie itself to allow room for the apples and nuts in case they fall off. This makes it easier to scoop the brie as well. If you don’t want to cook it in the serving dish, place it on a baking sheet and use a spatula to move it to the serving dish.
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- Time: While the brie is baking in the oven, start cooking the apples to cut down on prep time.
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- Rind: If you want to cut the rind off, place the wheel of brie in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Then, use a sharp knife to thinly slice along the top rind to remove it. You can leave the sides and bottom to help hold the melty cheese inside once it bakes.
Nutrition
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