Fresh balsamic strawberries are piled onto a warm wheel of Baked Brie cheese in this crave-worthy appetizer, snack or side dish. Served with your favorite bread and crackers, this classy cheese dip is super quick and easy! Dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan with no refined sugar.
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Gooey Baked Brie With Balsamic Strawberries
Oftentimes, the fanciest dishes are also the easiest to make. Baked brie definitely falls under that umbrella. It looks like it belongs at a lavish event like a wedding or a gala, but it’s effortless enough to whip up and enjoy during your half-hour lunch break.
The combination of elegance and convenience makes this crowd-pleasing appetizer a great fit for any occasion. It’s impossible to beat a meltingly delicious wheel of cheese with tangy, juicy balsamic strawberries on top! Speaking of the balsamic berries, you can swap them out for another desired topping whenever you’re in the mood to switch things up. Your baked brie will be the talk of the town no matter what it’s topped with!
What You’ll Need
We like to use plant-based brie and grain-free crackers for a diet-friendly dish, but you can certainly stick with your go-to alternatives. Scroll down to the recipe card for specific amounts.
- Fresh Strawberries: Remove the stems and wash the berries, then dry them off well.
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Maple Syrup: Or another sticky liquid sweetener of your choice.
- Fine Sea Salt: Added to taste.
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: To taste.
- Vegan Brie Cheese: We like this Macadamia Nut Brie as well as this Cashew and Miso Brie. Feel free to use a regular wheel of brie if you’re not dairy-free or vegan.
- Fresh Basil & Mint: Finely chopped, for the garnish.
- Toasted Pecans: Or Candied Pecans, roughly chopped.
Do You Take the Rind Off Brie Before Baking?
No – leave it on! The rind really comes in handy while the cheese cooks. Without it, everything would melt out into a pool of goo. Plus, you don’t want to miss the satisfaction of breaking open that outer layer and watching the cheese ooze out!
How to Make the Best Baked Brie
We like to preheat my oven while I cook the balsamic strawberries and bake the brie while the berries cool. It works out perfectly!
- Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a 5-inch cast iron skillet.
- Slice Strawberries: Slice small berries into halves and medium-sized berries into quarters.
- Cook Maple Syrup & Balsamic Vinegar: Combine the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar in a medium-sized saucepan and whisk the mixture over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until it’s reduced.
- Add Berries: Stir in the strawberries and cook for 2-3 more minutes, until the berries are softened. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Let Cool: Remove the balsamic berries from the heat and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. You can also chill them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve to brie.
- Bake Brie: Place the brie onto the prepared baking sheet or skillet. Transfer it to the preheated oven and bake it for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and warm but not melting out of the rind.
- Let Rest: Remove the baked brie from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before transferring it to a large serving platter.
- Assemble & Serve: Top the warm brie with the balsamic strawberries and garnish it with the chopped basil, mint and pecans. Serve it with toasted baguette slices, crostini and crackers on the platter beside the brie.
Tips for Success
Set yourself up for flawless baked brie by taking note of these helpful hints.
- Avoid Over-Baking: Be sure to keep an eye on your brie while it’s baking so you can take it out at the right time. All ovens are different, so it’s helpful to check on it early the first time you make it.
- Let the Brie Rest: After you remove your baked brie from the oven, let it sit for 5 minutes before you break into it. This allows it to set and cool down enough so that it won’t burn your mouth.
- Don’t Hold Back! It’s hard not to inhale this cheesy appetizer – and there’s no need to resist the urge! It will harden back up as it cools, so the faster you eat it, the better.
Variation Ideas
Baked brie tastes amazing with all sorts of different toppings! Try some of these fun balsamic strawberry substitutes.
- Almond Fig: Sliced figs and slivered almonds are a classic combination that looks as lovely as it tastes. Use this foolproof duo as a topping for your brie along with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
- Tomato Basil: Fresh tomatoes and basil are another no-fail pairing that goes great with gooey baked brie.
- Apple Pecan: Loving the crunch of the candied pecans? Make them the star of the show along with diced apple and maple syrup (or your preferred liquid sweetener).
- Puff Pastry: This popular version of baked brie requires a bit more preparation – first, cut the top off your wheel of brie, then place it in the middle of a rolled-out layer of puff pastry dough. Spread a dollop of jam on top. Wrap the puff pastry around the brie, covering all sides, and trim off any excess. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
We like to pair our baked brie with an assortment of toasted baguette slices, crostini and crackers (use gluten-free/grain-free if needed). You can treat it like a dip or a spread – we usually go the dip route at first while the brie is super gooey, then switch lanes later on. If you’re looking for another luxurious appetizer to serve alongside your cheese dip, you can’t go wrong with Deviled Eggs or Stuffed Dates.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
Transfer any leftover baked brie to an airtight container once it has cooled completely. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Refrigerate the balsamic berries in a separate airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat your baked brie in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until it’s nice and melty. You could also warm it up in a baking dish in the oven if preferred. Top the reheated brie with the leftover balsamic berries and enjoy!
Can I Make This in Advance?
We do not recommend making the brie ahead of time as the brie will harden.
If you’d like, you can make the balsamic strawberries the day before and store them in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days as well.
More Cheesy Appetizer Dips
Fresh balsamic strawberries are piled onto a warm wheel of Baked Brie cheese in this crave-worthy appetizer, snack or side dish. Served with your favorite bread and crackers, this classy cheese dip is super quick and easy! Dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan with no refined sugar.
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries washed, stems removed
- 2 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or preferred sticky liquid sweetener
- Fine sea salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste, plus more for garnish
- 8 ounce wheel vegan brie cheese we like this Macadamia Nut Brie and Cashew and Miso Brie. Regular brie works too if not dairy-free.
- Freshly chopped basil for garnish (about 2 tbsp)
- Freshly finely chopped mint for garnish (about 1 tsp)
- 1-2 teaspoon candied or toasted pecans roughly chopped
- Assortment of toasted baguette slices, crostini and crackers for serving
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a 5-inch cast iron skillet.
- Slice small berries into halves and medium berries into quarters.
In a medium saucepan combine maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and whisk over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until reduced. Stir in the strawberries and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Meanwhile, place the brie on a rimmed baking sheet or a 5-inch cast iron skillet. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until softened, about 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft and warm but not melting out of the rind.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring the brie to a large serving platter.
Top the warm brie with strawberries and garnish with freshly chopped basil, mint and pecans. Serve with an assortment of toasted baguette slices, crostini and crackers for dipping.
Recipe Video
Storage & Reheating: Refrigerate leftover brie and berries in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat brie in the microwave or oven for 1-2 minutes, until melty, before adding berries and enjoying.
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