Brie en Croûte with Fig Jam

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Brie en croûte is a whole wheel of brie cheese wrapped in puff pastry and baked until the pastry is golden and the cheese inside is warm and gooey.

Topped with sweet fig jam before wrapping, it’s an elegant appetizer that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Looks stunning with very little hands-on work
  • Only 4 main ingredients
  • Can be assembled hours ahead and baked when guests arrive
  • Perfect centerpiece for a cheese board or holiday spread
  • The sweet-savory combination is universally crowd-pleasing

Ingredients

For the brie en croûte:

  • 1 wheel brie cheese (8 oz), cold
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
  • 3 tablespoons fig jam (or fig preserves)
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)

Optional additions:

  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon honey (drizzled on top of jam)

For serving:

  • Crackers, sliced baguette, or apple slices

Steps

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
  4. If there are any cracks, gently press them together with your fingers.
  5. Place the brie wheel in the center of the pastry.
  6. Spread the fig jam evenly over the top of the brie.
  7. If using, sprinkle the chopped nuts and thyme leaves over the jam.
  8. Fold the puff pastry up and over the brie, pleating as you go to fully enclose it.
  9. Trim any excess pastry if the layers get too thick — you want an even wrap, not a bulky seam.
  10. Flip the wrapped brie over so the seam side is down and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  11. Use any pastry scraps to cut decorative shapes (leaves, braids) and press them gently onto the top if desired.
  12. Brush the entire surface generously with the egg wash using a pastry brush.
  13. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and deep golden brown.
  14. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving — this allows the cheese to set slightly so it doesn’t completely run out when cut.
  15. Transfer to a serving board and serve warm with crackers, bread, or fruit.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Use cold brie. Cold cheese holds its shape better while wrapping and during the initial baking — take it straight from the refrigerator.

Thaw pastry properly. Puff pastry needs to be pliable but still cold — thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30-40 minutes.

Don’t skip the rest. If you cut into the brie immediately, the cheese will flood out — waiting 10-15 minutes lets it thicken slightly while staying gooey.

Jam alternatives. Apricot preserves, raspberry jam, hot pepper jelly, or honey with walnuts all work beautifully.

Rind debate. The white rind is edible and safe — leave it on for easier wrapping and a more complex flavor.

Size matters. An 8 oz wheel fits perfectly in one sheet of standard puff pastry — for larger wheels, you may need to roll the pastry thinner.

Pastry brands. Dufour or other all-butter puff pastry tastes significantly better than brands made with shortening, but both work.

Serving Ideas

Present the baked brie on a wooden cheese board surrounded by an assortment of crackers and sliced baguette.

Add fresh and dried fruits like grapes, apple slices, and dried apricots around the board.

Include a small dish of extra fig jam and a drizzle of honey for guests who want more sweetness.

Pair with a glass of sparkling wine, Riesling, or a light red like Pinot Noir.

Provide a cheese spreader so guests can scoop the melted cheese onto their crackers.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Assemble ahead: Wrap the brie in pastry, brush with egg wash, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Bake from cold: Add 5 extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Freezer option: Assemble and freeze unbaked (without egg wash) for up to 2 weeks — brush with egg wash and bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to baking time.

Leftovers: Store leftover baked brie covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes — the pastry won’t be as crisp but the cheese will re-melt.

Effortless Elegance

Brie en croûte is one of those recipes that delivers maximum impact for minimum effort.

The combination of buttery pastry, creamy cheese, and sweet fig jam hits every note.

Make it once for a party and it will become your go-to impressive appetizer.

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