This Baked Brie with Garlic Confit and Butter takes the creamy, indulgent flavors of Brie cheese to a whole new level. The brie is infused with roasted garlic confit, buttery richness, a touch of honey, and a sprinkle of chili flakes, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Topped with fresh rosemary and served with crispy baguette slices, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress at any gathering. It’s the ideal appetizer for parties or a sophisticated addition to any cheese board.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 12 garlic confit cloves (or 4 fresh garlic cloves)

• 25g Westgold salted butter (or regular unsalted butter)

• 200g triple cream Brie

• 1 sprig rosemary (removed from stem)

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ½ teaspoon chili flakes

• ½ sliced baguette

• Olive oil

• Flaky sea salt

Directions

1. Prepare the Baguette: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Drizzle olive oil on both sides of the baguette slices and toast in a grill pan over low heat for 5-10 minutes until golden and crispy.

2. Melt the Butter: Place the butter into a small pot and melt over low heat. Alternatively, you can microwave it until melted and set aside.

3. Prepare the Brie: Place the Brie in a shallow oven-proof dish. Using a sharp knife, make 3 deep incisions lengthways and then 3 crosswise to form a grid on top of the cheese. Insert the garlic confit cloves (or fresh sliced garlic) into the slits.

4. Drizzle with Butter: Pour the melted butter over the Brie and top with rosemary.

5. Bake the Brie: Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and soft.

6. Add the Finishing Touches: Once baked, drizzle honey over the top, sprinkle with chili flakes, and serve with the toasted baguette slices. Enjoy immediately!

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: ~320 kcal

• Fat: ~26 g

• Saturated Fat: ~15 g

• Cholesterol: ~50 mg

• Sodium: ~350 mg

• Carbohydrates: ~15 g

• Fiber: ~1 g

• Sugar: ~7 g

• Protein: ~10 g

The Base: Creamy Brie Cheese

Brie is a classic cheese known for its soft, creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. When baked, Brie becomes irresistibly gooey and even more indulgent, making it the perfect centerpiece for this appetizer. The Brie is placed in a shallow oven-proof dish, where it’s scored with a sharp knife to allow the flavors to infuse the cheese during baking. The simple act of scoring the cheese in a grid pattern allows the garlic confit and butter to soak into the Brie, enhancing its flavor and making it extra creamy.

Garlic Confit: A Sweet and Savory Infusion

The garlic confit is the standout element of this dish, providing a subtle, sweet, and mellow garlic flavor that perfectly complements the richness of the Brie. Garlic confit is made by slowly cooking garlic cloves in olive oil until they become soft, sweet, and tender. If you don’t have garlic confit on hand, fresh garlic cloves can be used, though the confit provides a smoother, more complex flavor.

The garlic cloves are inserted into the deep slits of the Brie, allowing the flavors to penetrate the cheese. As the Brie bakes, the garlic softens even further, creating a smooth and aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with the buttery Brie.

The Butter and Rosemary: Adding Richness and Aroma

Melted butter is drizzled over the top of the Brie before baking, adding an extra layer of richness to the dish. If you use salted butter, it helps bring out the savory notes of the garlic and rosemary, creating a luxurious, flavorful sauce that coats the cheese as it melts. The rosemary is added for an earthy, aromatic touch, giving the dish a subtle herbaceous note that balances the richness of the cheese and butter.

As the Brie bakes, the butter absorbs into the cheese, making it even more velvety and rich, while the rosemary adds a fragrant, savory aroma that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

Honey and Chili Flakes: Sweet and Spicy Finish

Once the Brie is baked to gooey perfection, it’s drizzled with honey, which adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors. The honey complements the garlic and Brie, giving the dish a lovely contrast of sweet and savory. The chili flakes are then sprinkled over the top, adding a bit of heat and spice to the dish, which works beautifully with the richness of the Brie and the sweetness of the honey.

The combination of sweet honey, spicy chili flakes, and aromatic rosemary creates a complex flavor profile that will make each bite a delightful experience.

Toasted Baguette: The Perfect Vehicle

To serve this dish, crispy baguette slices are the ideal accompaniment. The baguette is drizzled with olive oil and toasted to golden perfection, making it crunchy enough to scoop up the soft, gooey Brie. The crispy texture of the baguette contrasts beautifully with the smoothness of the melted Brie, providing a satisfying bite with every scoop.

The olive oil adds a subtle richness to the bread, and toasting it brings out its natural flavors, making it the perfect vessel to enjoy the rich, cheesy, and flavorful topping.

Serving Suggestions

This Baked Brie with Garlic Confit and Butter is an excellent appetizer for any occasion. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, dinner parties, or a special occasion where you want to impress your guests with something simple yet elegant. You can serve it alongside other cheeses, nuts, and fruits as part of a cheese board, or on its own as the star of the appetizer spread.

The toasted baguette slices are perfect for dipping, but you can also serve the Brie with crackers or vegetable sticks like carrot sticks or celery for a healthier option. For added flavor, you can even drizzle the Brie with a bit more honey or balsamic glaze before serving.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of this Baked Brie with Garlic Confit and Butter contains approximately 320 calories. It’s a rich dish, with 26 grams of fat, 15 grams of which are saturated fat, contributing to the decadent, creamy texture. The dish also provides 10 grams of protein from the Brie cheese, making it a satisfying appetizer.

The carbohydrates come in at 15 grams, with 2 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of sugar, primarily from the honey and the natural sweetness of the garlic confit. The sodium content is around 350 mg, with the salt from the butter and sea salt contributing to the flavor. The combination of flavors—rich, savory, sweet, and spicy—makes this dish a memorable and satisfying treat.

Conclusion

Baked Brie with Garlic Confit and Butter is a luxurious, flavorful appetizer that combines the creamy richness of Brie cheese with aromatic garlic, fresh rosemary, sweet honey, and spicy chili flakes. It’s easy to prepare, yet elegant enough to impress your guests at any gathering. Served with crispy baguette slices, this dish is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a special occasion, or simply indulging in a cozy evening at home, this Baked Brie is sure to be a hit that will leave everyone coming back for more.