This baked brie with honey turns a simple wheel of soft cheese into a warm, gooey appetizer with a drizzle of golden honey and a sprig of fresh thyme.
It needs only a few ingredients and about 25 minutes, with just 5 minutes of prep, and it looks impressive on any table. Serve it hot with crostini and fresh grapes for dipping and spreading.
Table of Contents
Why This Baked Brie with Honey Recipe Works
Brie has a soft, creamy center that melts completely in the oven, while the rind holds everything together so the cheese stays in a neat wheel until you cut into it.
Honey adds gentle sweetness that balances the mild, slightly earthy flavor of the cheese, and thyme adds a fragrant, savory note. Both are optional, but they make the dish feel special.
There is almost no work involved. You do not need to make a crust or wrap the cheese in pastry, so a wheel of brie can go from the refrigerator to the table in half an hour.
Ingredients for Baked Brie with Honey
- 1 round of brie or camembert, 8 ounces (a good value cheese is fine)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 small bunch purple or green grapes, for serving
- 1 package crostini, for dipping
Brie. A standard 8 ounce wheel serves a group as an appetizer. Camembert works just as well, and an inexpensive brie melts as nicely as a costly one.
Honey. A drizzle of honey adds sweetness and a glossy finish. Maple syrup is a good alternative if you prefer a deeper, woodsy flavor.
Fresh thyme. A single sprig adds a fragrant herbal note. Rosemary or a sprinkle of chopped nuts works too.
Grapes. Cool, juicy grapes balance the warm, rich cheese. Purple or green grapes both work.
Crostini. Crisp crostini slices give a sturdy base for scooping, though crackers or sliced baguette are fine substitutes.
How to Make Baked Brie with Honey
1. Heat the oven Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare the cheese Unwrap the brie and set it in a small, shallow ovenproof dish. A piece of crumpled parchment under the cheese makes it easy to move to a board later.
3. Bake until soft Bake an 8 ounce wheel for 15 to 20 minutes, until the center feels very soft when gently pressed. A 1 pound wheel needs about 25 minutes.
4. Move to a board Carefully lift the hot brie onto a serving plate or board.
5. Add the honey and thyme Drizzle the honey over the top and tuck the thyme sprig on the cheese.
6. Serve warm Serve right away with crostini and grapes alongside.
How to Serve Baked Brie with Honey
Set the warm brie on a board with grapes and crostini, and let guests spread it themselves. It pairs well with a crisp house salad, a basket of garlic bread slices, and a pitcher of blueberry mojito or strawberry pineapple mojito for a party spread.
How to Store and Reheat Baked Brie with Honey
Store leftover cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a 350 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes, until soft and hot, and add fresh honey after warming.
Tips and Variations for Baked Brie with Honey
Chill first. Cold cheese keeps its shape better during baking, so bake it straight from the refrigerator.
Score the top. Lightly scoring the rind lets the honey seep in, though it is not required.
Use a snug dish. A small dish keeps the cheese from spreading as it softens.
Watch the time. Remove the cheese as soon as the center is soft, since overbaking makes the rind split and the cheese run.
Try other toppings. Chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, or a spoonful of fig jam are all good additions.
Warm the crostini. A few minutes in the oven alongside the cheese crisps them up.
Microwave in a pinch. In a hurry, microwave the unwrapped cheese in short bursts, checking every 30 seconds, until soft.
Serve it safely. Keep the platter out of the sun, and University of Wisconsin Extension leftover safety guidance shares tips for keeping party food safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Brie with Honey
What size brie works for baked brie with honey?
An 8 ounce wheel is a good size for a small group, and a 1 pound wheel works for a bigger crowd with a longer bake time.
Do you eat the rind on baked brie with honey?
Yes, the rind is edible and holds the melted cheese in place, though you can cut it away if you prefer.
Can I prepare baked brie with honey ahead of time?
Unwrap the cheese and place it in its dish up to a few hours ahead, keep it in the refrigerator, and bake just before guests arrive.
Can I use camembert instead of brie?
Yes, camembert has a slightly stronger flavor and bakes in about the same time.
What can I serve with the cheese?
Crostini, crackers, sliced baguette, apples, pears, and grapes all work well.
Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme
Equipment
- Small shallow ovenproof dish
- Parchment paper
- Serving board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz brie or camembert one round; a good value cheese is fine
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 small bunch purple or green grapes for serving
- 1 package crostini about 5 ounces; for dipping
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Set up. Unwrap the brie and place it in a small, shallow ovenproof dish.
- Bake. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until the center is very soft when gently pressed.
- Transfer. Carefully move the hot cheese to a serving plate or board.
- Top and serve. Drizzle with honey, add the thyme, and serve warm with crostini and grapes.
