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Herbs, garlic, and cheese. Is there anything better?
Just when you think baked brie can’t get any better, garlic and herbs are added on top. That’s what makes this Baked Brie with Garlic and Thyme so special!
As a self-proclaimed garlic girl, you can bet that garlic will be featured in the appetizers I serve at the party. It’s the best ingredient to make this baked brie recipe, Whipped Ricotta, Burrata Pesto Pizza, and Garlic Herb Feta Spread completely irresistible.
This herb and garlic baked brie is the ultimate party snack because it's:
- Garlicky, but not TOO garlicky.
- Creamy, rich, and dreamy.
- Easy to make in less than 30 minutes.
The process is simple: finely grated garlic is stirred together with white wine, adding a tangy, bright bite to an otherwise cheesy and rich snack. Bake the cheese in the oven, then sprinkle thyme on top as a finishing touch. Voila! A delicious appetizer no one at the party can resist.
Ingredients needed
Grab your cheese and a handful of easy ingredients. That’s all you need to make this easy and savory baked brie:
Brie cheese
Brie is one of my favorite cheeses to serve to a crowd. It’s a very creamy and soft cow’s milk cheese from France that you can bake and top with fig jam and pistachios, apricot preserves and crispy prosciutto, and so much more.
The bloomy rind around the outside keeps the melted, gooey cheese intact as it bakes in the oven. It’s game over when you break it open and see those luscious cheese pulls inside.
Pro Tip!
- Any bloomy rind cheese that is a whole wheel will work great for this recipe! Feel free to experiment with other cheeses!
I recommend using an 8-ounce wheel of double cream brie, which you can find at most large grocery stores. Otherwise, go ahead and experiment. Camembert is a fantastic substitute for brie and has a deeper, earthier flavor.
Garlic
Grated garlic is mixed with white wine to help tone down its strong flavors. Because it’s served raw, it’s best to use a microplane to shred the cloves finely. The smaller pieces aren’t as potent.
Also, two cloves should be more than enough here. Now, this may not fly in the world of a garlic lover, but any more and you should put out a bowl of mints next to the cheese.
White wine
Like I said, the wine is stirred together with the garlic and drizzled over the cheese before baking. It cuts down on the spicy garlic flavor while balancing the richness of the cheese.
I recommend using a dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Gewürztraminer. Wine with sweeter notes won’t balance as nicely next to the savory garlic and earthy thyme.
Fresh thyme
This finishing touch adds a nice freshness to the appetizer!
How to make baked brie with garlic and thyme
I recommend baking and serving the cheese in a small cast iron skillet or shallow baking dish. Whichever you use, the dish will need to be shallow enough to prevent the wine from spilling.
From there, the steps are simple:
Step 1: Stir the chopped garlic and wine together in a small bowl.
Step 2: Score the top of the brie in a criss-cross pattern.
Step 3: Transfer the brie to a baking dish and top with the garlic-wine mixture.
Step 4: Bake the cheese until the sides are soft to the touch.
Step 5: Top with thyme leaves and black pepper, then serve. Enjoy!
Play with the flavors and toppings
Experiment with any of these ideas to make this appetizer your own:
Mix up the herbs
Instead of thyme, use a variety of fresh or dry herbs. Fresh rosemary or basil would give the cheese a beautiful presentation, while dried oregano, red chili flakes, or Italian seasoning brings another layer of freshness and dynamic flavors.
Roast the garlic
Roasted garlic has double the flavor of fresh. It’s soft, deeply savory, and sure to make the baked brie extra irresistible. You can roast an entire bulb of garlic, mix 2 to 3 mashed cloves with the wine, and drizzle it over the cheese.
New to roasting a bulb of garlic? Follow the instructions in my Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip.
Non-alcoholic option
It’s totally ok to make the garlic topping with or without wine. If you don’t want to use alcohol, replace the wine with a mix of white wine vinegar, sugar, and warm water (find the exact measurements in the recipe card below) instead.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use brie?
Not if you don’t want to! Any other creamy cheese with a bloomy rind, like camembert, Mt. Tam, or a triple cream brie, will work instead.
What do you serve with baked brie?
You can serve the baked brie with a platter of crostini, apple slices, crackers, pear slices, crusty bread, or breadsticks. It also fits in very well on a meat and cheese board!
Should you remove the rind before baking a wheel of brie?
No, the rind surrounding the brie should never be removed. The cheese would melt all over the place without it. If you aren’t into the flavor or taste, you can cut the rind on the top off and leave a ¼ inch border in place.
Is the rind on brie edible?
Yes, the rind has a bloomy flavor that compliments the rich, buttery flavor of the cheese.
Can you reheat the leftovers?
Absolutely. Pop the leftover baked brie in the microwave or a 350ºF oven until it’s warm and melty again.
🎉 It's time to cook! 🎉
Alright, friend! It's your turn to make this delish recipe for your next get-together.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When you do, please leave a comment and star rating below so we can hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recipe
Baked Brie with Garlic and Thyme
Ingredients
- 3 large cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 8 ounce wheel of brie
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Garnish
- black pepper
- fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place garlic and wine in a small bowl. Stir to combine and set aside for 5 minutes.
- While garlic and wine are resting, carefully score the top of brie a few times, making sure too not cut all the way through to the bottom or sides of the brie.
- Place in a small oven-safe serving dish and top with garlic wine mixture.
- Cover and bake for 10. Remove cover and bake for 5 to 8 more minutes or until the sides of the brie are soft to the touch and the wine has reduced.
- Top with thyme leaves, and garnish with black pepper and thyme sprigs.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Combine 1 tablespoon warm water, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of sugar into a small bow. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Add the garlic to this mixture and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
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