If you're looking for a show-stopping, easy holiday appetizer, this baked brie with jam is it! Warm, creamy brie topped with a compote of fig-orange jam, dried figs, cranberries, and chopped pecans creates a delicious balance of sweet and nutty flavors. Serve with baguette slices and crisp apples for an unforgettable appetizer that will have guests asking for the recipe. And it's so simple to make!
This baked brie with jam was always a crowd-pleaser at my catered parties. While the brie bakes to melty perfection, prepare a warm, fruity fig compote on the stovetop with jam, dried fruit, and nuts. Spoon it over the warm brie and serve with baguette slices, fresh grapes, and apple slices. It's irresistible and one of the easiest appetizers you can make.
Baked Brie Recipe Snapshot
- Party favorite - An elegant, crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for holiday entertaining.
- Quick and easy - Simple to prepare, even during the busy holiday season.
- Easy to scale - Halve the recipe with an 8-ounce brie wheel for a smaller gathering, or double it with a 2-pound wheel for a crowd.
- No puff pastry needed - All the deliciousness of warm, melty brie without wrapping it in pastry like Brie en croûte.
For another delicious fruity topping, make some of this apple cinnamon compote.
Ingredients You'll Need
Baked Brie
- Brie: Get a 1-pound wheel of brie cheese. Don't use a wedge, as the cheese will ooze out everywhere. You need the rind to hold the cheese in shape.
- Jam: This fig-orange jam is my favorite and what I recommend. See options below.
- Dried fruit: Dried figs and dried cranberries.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans, either raw or my homemade maple-glazed pecans.
- Orange: For the zest and juice.
- Spices: A little cinnamon adds subtle flavor to the topping.
- Liqueur: Add a splash of orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier (optional).
For Serving
- Bread: 1-2 baguettes or gluten-free bread.
- Crackers: Your favorite sturdy crackers that can handle the gooey brie, including gluten-free crackers for GF guests.
- Fruit: Apple and pear slices.
Please see the recipe card for measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
Brie is a buttery, mild-flavored cheese that stands up well to flavor variations.
- Dried fruit - Swap in dried apricots, raisins, golden berries, or your favorites.
- Jam - Try raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam instead of fig.
- Fresh figs - Use sliced fresh figs instead of dried figs for the topping.
- Brie - If you can't find a 1-pound wheel, use two 8-ounce wheels placed side by side.
- Dates - No dried figs? Substitute pitted dates.
Chef's Tip on Brie Rind: Do you remove the top rind or leave it on? I leave it on because it's completely edible, delicious, and helps hold the melted cheese together when it comes out of the oven. Without it, the cheese oozes everywhere.
When fresh figs are available, make these goat cheese crostini with figs and prosciutto.
How to Make Baked Brie With Jam
Preheat the oven to 350°F. If you're short on oven space, you can use your air fryer on the bake setting. Use a small sheet pan, oven-safe dish, or cast-iron skillet. For the skillet option, skip the parchment and serve the baked brie right from the skillet.
Serving and Storage
Serve baked brie with jam on its own or as part of a cheese board. Arrange the warm cheese on a platter with baguette slices, crackers, and fresh fruit. Grapes are another nice addition. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme for fragrance and a touch of green.
To prevent apple and pear slices from browning, dip them in lemon water, then pat dry before arranging on the platter.
Store leftover fig compote in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Chef's Tip for Leftover Fig Compote: Leftover fig compote is delicious over ice cream, frozen yogurt, oatmeal, or creamy overnight oats. Since pork and fruit are classic companions, try serving the fig compote alongside a pork roast or pork tenderloin.
Recipe FAQs
Any fruit jam or preserves works well with baked Brie. Choose seasonal flavors such as fig and cranberry in fall, or raspberry and strawberry in spring. Blueberry, blackberry, and orange preserves are delicious options too. Leftover cranberry sauce is another great choice after Thanksgiving or Christmas.
No. The rind is completely edible and helps hold the warm cheese wheel together after baking. I recommend leaving it on. If you prefer to remove the top rind, trim it carefully with a sharp knife, but leave the sides and bottom intact.
Don't overbake the Brie, and leave the rind intact to help hold the melted cheese together. If some cheese does escape, don't worry! It still tastes delicious, even if it's a little messy.
More Appetizer Recipes
For more appetizer and snack recipes for easy entertaining, check out these recipes or look at the appetizer recipes index page.
If You Make Baked Brie
If you make baked brie with jam, please comment and let me know. I'd love to hear how it came out and I enjoy hearing from you. If you loved it, please give it a 5 star rating! They really help other readers.
📖 Recipe
Baked Brie With Jam
Ingredients
Baked Brie with Jam
- 1 pound whole brie wheel or 2-8 ounce wheels
- ½ cup pecans halves chopped
- ½ cup fig-orange jam or preserves half of an 8 ounce jar
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup dried figs 3-4 dried figs, chopped
- 1 medium orange zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving
- 2 large baguettes sliced on diagonal
- 1 large apple cut into thin pieces
- 1 large pear cut into thin pieces
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Instructions
Remove brie from the refrigerator (do ahead)
- Allow it to warm up on the counter for 1 hour. If you forget, just bake it longer and keep an eye on it so it does not melt too much.
Preheat the oven and prep brie
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Place the brie wheel on a square piece of parchment paper that extends beyond the brie, then on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. The parchment will make it easier to move the soft bake brie onto a serving plate.
Bake brie
- Bake brie uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese feels soft when touched in the center. How long it bakes depends on how cold it was before baking.
Make the topping
- While brie is baking, make the fig jam topping. In a small pan (2 quart) over medium low heat, place the fig jam, pecans, cranberries, figs, orange juice, and cinnamon. Add liqueur if using. Allow the jam topping to become melted and juicy, and cook for 3-5 minutes to thicken.
To serve
- When the brie is ready, remove from the oven using the parchment to support, place on a serving platter and spoon the warm fig jam sauce over the top. To finish, add orange zest to the top. Serve with baguette and fruit slices. Note - Allow the baked brie to sit on the serving platter a few minutes before cutting into the wheel or the cheese may all ooze out.
Notes
Nutrition
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Porsche guy says
We use this when we had guests coming over recently for a nice appetizer, it was super easy to make and really decadent. If you love Brie like we do. Love that topping too. We served it with sliced baguette.