Description
This delightful Baked Brie with Spiced Pears recipe combines warm, creamy Brie cheese with caramelized, spiced pears and a fragrant rosemary-infused honey drizzle. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or party snack, it’s served with crunchy baguette slices making every bite a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Cheese and Honey
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese (about 8 ounces)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary plus extra leaves, chopped, for garnish
Spiced Pears
- 1 medium pear, chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Additional
- ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
- 1 baguette, sliced for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the Brie cheese.
- Prepare rosemary honey: Pour honey into a small saucepan, add the rosemary sprig, and warm it over low heat for 5 minutes without boiling. Then remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes to infuse the flavor. Remove the rosemary and set the honey aside.
- Bake the Brie: Place the Brie wheel on a parchment-lined baking sheet or an ovenproof dish. Bake for 6-8 minutes until the cheese is softened but not fully melted. Allow it to cool for a minute before proceeding.
- Cook spiced pears: While the Brie bakes, melt unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pears and brown sugar, stirring to coat the fruit evenly.
- Add spices and cook pears: Sprinkle cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg over the pears and cook for 5-7 minutes until the pears become tender and caramelized. Stir in lemon juice for brightness and remove from heat.
- Assemble the dish: Transfer the baked Brie to a serving platter. Spoon the warm spiced pears over the cheese and drizzle with the rosemary honey. Garnish with chopped toasted pecans if using.
- Serve: Serve immediately with freshly sliced baguette, crackers, or crostini for dipping and spreading. Enjoy your elegant appetizer!
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, you can substitute pecans with toasted walnuts or almonds.
- If you prefer a stronger rosemary taste, leave the sprig in the honey while drizzling before serving.
- Use ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou for the best texture after cooking.
- This dish is best served warm; if reheating, do so gently to avoid over-melting the Brie.
- Toasting baguette slices lightly before serving adds a nice crunch complementing the soft Brie and pears.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
