Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts: Easy Holiday Appetizer

Name: Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 round of brie cheese (1.32 pounds, about 21 ounces); 1 cup of chopped walnuts; 1/4 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup of honey

Print Recipe

This baked brie with honey and walnuts is a warm, gooey holiday appetizer you can have on the table in about 25 minutes. It takes four ingredients, one baking dish, and 10 to 15 minutes in the oven.

Dried cranberries add a little tart color, and a box of crackers is all you need for scooping.

baked brie with honey and walnuts in a cast iron skillet topped with dried cranberries on a white counter

Why Baked Brie Is Our Holiday Tradition

Once a month, we have a dinner party with two other couples and two other friends. We rotate between three houses, ours and two others, so everyone gets a turn to host.

One of my best friends loves brie cheese.

Many years ago, we started making baked brie in the oven as an appetizer for our holiday parties. It was a hit from the start. It still disappears before we know it.

These days we make two when we have a party, because everybody loves it so much. For about 20 years, it has been a holiday favorite.

We almost always have Christmas at our house, because Jim loves to decorate. So baked brie is on the table every Christmas. We make it again for our New Year’s Eve party.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Brie

Ready in about 25 minutes, with 10 minutes of hands on time
Only four ingredients, and the honey does the sweetening
Warm, creamy cheese with a crunchy walnut topping
A beautiful appetizer to display for the holidays as guests arrive at your home
A good fit for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any holiday party
Bakes in one dish, so cleanup stays easy

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie is a soft, creamy cheese from France. It is mild, and when it melts, it is perfect for scooping up with crackers.

It comes as a round wheel with a white rind covering the whole cheese. I have found the best brie for the best price at Costco.

a round of brie cheese in white paper on a wood counter

Should You Remove the Rind from Baked Brie?

You can make this recipe with or without the rind. I take most of the top rind off, so people get a bigger scoop of the creamy cheese inside than the rind.

When I leave the white rind on top, my guests either ask me if it is edible or remove it anyway.

I use a sharp knife to scrape off the thin rind from the top. If a little of the white rind is still showing, that is fine too.

The rind is edible, so you do not have to remove it. I would leave the side and bottom rind alone, because the cheese will lose its structure.

honey being poured onto baked brie with walnuts and dried cranberries in a cast iron skillet

Ingredients You Will Need for Baked Brie

1 round of brie cheese (1.32 pounds, about 21 ounces)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup honey
Crackers, bread, or fruit for serving

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Equipment You Need for Baked Brie

Round Baking Dish or a cast iron skillet
Sharp knife

How to Make Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts

Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Unwrap the Brie: Open the package and remove all of the paper wrapping.
Pro tip: Leave the side and bottom rind on so the cheese keeps its shape.
Trim the Top Rind: Use a sharp knife to scrape the thin white rind off the top of the cheese. This step is optional, since the rind is edible.
Fill the Dish: Place the brie in a round baking dish or a cast iron skillet.
Add the Toppings: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries over the top. Drizzle the honey over everything to cover the top.
Bake: Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is hot and slightly melting.
Pro tip: Start watching it at 8 minutes, so the cheese does not burn or melt too much.
Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with crackers, bread, or fruit for dipping.

melting baked brie appetizer with walnuts, cranberries and honey

Baked Brie Toppings

There are many ways to top baked brie. My family’s favorite is a simple walnut and honey, but here are some other ideas:

Honey with cranberries, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds
Pistachios and figs, or fig jam
Cranberry sauce with walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds
Cranberry sauce, apricot jelly, or orange jelly instead of the honey
Any combination of these with dried fruit on top

two rounds of brie cheese on a white counter next to a small bowl of honey

What to Serve with Baked Brie

Baked brie fits right in with other holiday appetizers. Here are a few more from my kitchen:

Baked Brie FAQs

How long do you bake brie at 350 degrees?

Bake it at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is hot and slightly melting. Start watching it at 8 minutes, so it does not burn or melt too much.

Do you have to remove the rind from baked brie?

No, the rind is edible. I take most of the top rind off so guests get a bigger scoop of the creamy cheese inside, and I leave the sides and bottom so the cheese keeps its shape.

Can I wrap the brie in puff pastry?

Yes, if you like. You can use puff pastry or phyllo dough, and the pastry will take longer to bake than this version, so follow the package directions for your dough.

What do you serve with baked brie?

Serve it with crackers, bread, or fruit for dipping. It also fits well on a cheese platter or alongside other holiday appetizers.