Easy Baked Brie with Figs and Honey ~ this elegant baked cheese is your ultimate Fall and holiday appetizer, but it’s so rich and decadent you could even serve it for dessert!
Famously successful hosts, last minute party-throwers, and those neighbors with an open door policy have a closely guarded secret ~ baked Brie. It’s the world’s easiest and most glamorous appetizer and it makes your guests feel welcome and well fed, all for a couple of minutes work on your part. Pretty smart, huh?
There aren’t too many people on this planet who don’t appreciate the charms of molten cheese and a dribble of honey. This is the genius of this kind of app ~ it plays on everybody’s weakness. All you’re gonna need is a wheel of Brie, some figs, a few pistachios, and some good honey. You’ve got this.
TIP: Unopened wheels of Brie will last a long time in the fridge, so stock up on a few at the beginning of the holiday season.
Figs are one of the oldest, and most luscious fruits. There are a few different varieties that you may come across, depending on the season, but I used the purple skinned Mission (or California) fig for this recipe. It has the softest, sweetest, most flavorful flesh. You can use any of them for this baked Brie, and it helps if they are ripe. But beware, figs are very perishable once ripe, so use them right away. Unripe figs will continue to ripen on the counter, like bananas.
- Mission, they’re the most common (purple skinned, syrupy sweet flesh)
- Adriatic (pale green with bright pink flesh, great for eating raw)
- Brown Turkey (elongated, with brownish skin)
- Calimyrna (green skin, brilliant pink interior)
- Kadota, the original ‘Fig Newton’ fig (yellowish skin, amber flesh)
TIP: To preserve ripe figs for a few days, dunk them in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Pat dry and store in a single layer the refrigerator on a paper towel, loosely covered. This works with delicate berries, too.
Photo ยฉ Kenneth A. Wilson/Getty Images
TIP: When you’re baking Brie you don’t need to go for the expensive stuff, so don’t splurge. This is going to be runny and delicious no matter what.
This baked Brie with figs appetizer is stunning, and really fun to present to a crowd. And like I said up top, don’t be afraid to serve it for dessert, either! If you do decide to try it as dessert, I think it would be amazing with Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers ~ they’re slightly sweet, kind of like an adult version of a graham cracker.
Wine pairings for Baked Brie with Figs and Honey~
- Champagne, if you’re in the mood to splurge
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Voignier (one of my favorite wines)
- Pinot Noir
TIP: Whatever wine you choose, go for a dry variety to balance out the sweetness of the figs and honey.
Fresh figs are an exotic treat, even in this era when foods regularly travel across the globe, so when you see them, pick them up, a quick Internet search will give you tons of ways to use them. On my blog alone I’ve got everything from a ROASTED FIG GELATO recipe to an amazing FIG AND FRIED GOAT CHEESE SALAD. And don’t fret if yours go from perfectly ripe to ‘mature’ before you can use them, my CARDAMOM FIG JAM is a delicious solution.
Easy Bake Brie with Figs and Honey
Ingredients
- 16 ounce wheel of Brie cheese
- 1/2 lb fresh figs
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachio nuts
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Unwrap the Brie and place it in a shallow baking dish that you can also serve the cheese in. I like to use a pretty pie plate.
- Slice the figs into quarters. Arrange the quarters in a circular pattern on top of the Brie.
- Scatter with the pistachio nuts. Drizzle liberally with honey.
- Cover the cheese loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. The cheese should feel soft when you touch the side of the rind.
- Drizzle with more honey and serve immediately with crackers or thinly sliced bread and plenty of napkins.
Make it your own ~
- You could use maple syrup or agave syrup instead of honey.
- You can slice the figs into round slices instead of wedges.
- Brush the figs liberally with melted jam (apricot works well) instead of the honey.
- If you love the combination of figs with Brie, try this recipe for Brie stuffed figs. But figs also go well with goat cheese, and this galette makes a gorgeous appetizer or vegetarian main course. If you want a simple decadent dessert, I love these Amaretto Soaked Figs, I’d serve them with a little whipped cream, yum. And did you know that you can make Homemade Fig Newtons? Let’s hear it for FIGS!
38 Comments
Barb
October 1, 2019 at 1:28 pmI am 62 years old and just had fresh figs for the first time in France! To die for. What have I been missing all my life?? Can’t wait to try this!
Sue
October 1, 2019 at 1:39 pmOh gosh Barb, you’ve got a lot of time to make up for, hope you love this!
Sonia Martinez
September 30, 2019 at 3:00 pmI love figs…this will be on one of my Holiday menus this year for sure!
Agness of Run Agness Run
October 12, 2017 at 2:20 amAs a passionate lover of figs, I am so happy to learn a new recipe so I can eat them more often. Loved the simplicity and the mouth-watering effect your post has, Sue! ๐
Donna
October 1, 2017 at 5:01 pmThis is absolutely gorgeous! But wait, did I miss it? I didn’t see at what temperature the oven should be set. Please tell. This will be perfect for my next gathering.
Sue
October 1, 2017 at 5:04 pmJust fixed that, it’s 350F, thanks Donna!
karen tedesco
September 17, 2017 at 7:31 amI think I have to hop on a plane to find figs that gorgeous! Such a simple combination, but over-the-top elegant.
Laura | Tutti Dolci
September 14, 2017 at 3:41 pmBaked brie is the best and this is absolutely gorgeous!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
September 14, 2017 at 12:03 pmBaked brie has to be one of my favorite appetizers to make for parties! I mean, it is just so delicious and a breeze to trow together. This baked brie is definitely a show stopper, Sue!! When I saw a photo of this on Insta my mouth fell open! JUST GORGEOUS! I’m dying over those figs with honey! This will be happening at my next soiree! Pinned! Cheers!
Sue
September 14, 2017 at 3:08 pmThanks Cheyanne, and cheers right back at you!
Joshua
September 16, 2017 at 8:51 pmIt is nutritious and healthy and there’s another recipe for fig Jam that I never thought of thank you for sharing
cakespy
September 14, 2017 at 3:31 amI just LOVE Figs. In just about any way you can imagine! This is a particularly beautiful presentation and a great education you offer on pairing and using them! Love it!
Libby
September 13, 2017 at 4:19 pmDefinitely trying this. I made another fig appetizer recently: 1/2 fig, topped with a small square of blue cheese (or feta), wrapped in a small slice of prosciutto (just enough to wrap once), grilled for around 2-3 min. on each side til the prosciutto looks a little crispy. Made those for Labor Day weekend bbq and everyone enjoyed. Assembled ahead of time and grilled last minute.
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 4:22 pmThat sounds unbelievably good!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
September 13, 2017 at 2:49 pmI am so jealous of your gorgeous figs! They never look like that by the time they get to Virginia – haha! This could be a meal for me – just pass me some crackers or bread and I could be a happy camper. So beautiful!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 3:26 pmI could totally split this with you for dinner Tricia!
Chris Scheuer
September 13, 2017 at 2:39 pmWow, this is so beautiful Sue. I’m so wanting to scoop up some of that melting deliciousness right now. And I love that it’s really so simple!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 3:27 pmThanks Chris <3
[email protected]'s Recipes
September 13, 2017 at 11:42 amWhat a stunner, Sue. I love fresh figs at this time of year.
Theresa O'Heron
September 13, 2017 at 10:26 amI had a fig appetizer years ago at a local restaurant. Figs with blue cheese and balsamic vinegar, probably a reduction. Just tried to copy it, and served to friends. I think we all loved it, but would also like to hear your thoughts. Maybe a balsamic reduction?
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 11:13 amI think that would be great, they even sell bottled balsamic reductions, to make it easier. What I like about that is the sweetness would be toned down.
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 11:14 amAnd another thought is to use pomegranate molasses, one of my favorites!
Vicki Bensinger
September 13, 2017 at 9:54 amThis looks beautiful Sue and such a classic that we often forget about. Love this dish!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 10:02 amThanks Vivki, and you’re right, it is kind of an oldie but goodie.
Brandi
September 13, 2017 at 8:45 amYour photos are so gorgeous. I really need to make brie. I haven’t ventured out yet.
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:46 amYou definitely need to try it, Brandi, it couldn’t be easier.
Jillian
September 13, 2017 at 8:39 amThis is so beautiful I’d hate to eat it -but I will! This would blow people away at a Christmas party!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:58 amDig right in, Jillian, it looks even better when the cheese is oozing out ๐
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
September 13, 2017 at 8:33 amHoly moly. Four of my favorite things together in one dish. This appetizer looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make it this weekend for my dinner party! Beautiful photos!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:38 amThanks Elaine, it really is begging for a party.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
September 13, 2017 at 8:18 amWow! What a stunner of an appetizer and easy and delicious is just a huge bonus ๐ Need to have someone over soon to try this!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:20 amhaha, sometimes I DO throw a party just because I want to make this…can’t justify eating it all by myself ๐ Thanks for stopping by Jennifer <3
Michele
September 13, 2017 at 8:02 amI found this at the perfect time… our fig tree is full! Its so pretty too!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:03 amomg you are so lucky. There are lots of fig trees around here…I just don’t know anyone who has one…darn!
Christine
September 13, 2017 at 7:53 amI can’t get enough of figs! This is an excellent way to enjoy them.
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:02 amThanks Christine ~ I think maybe a lot of people have never even tasted a fresh fig, they’re such a treat, and I didn’t discover them until I was an adult.
John/Kitchen Riffs
September 13, 2017 at 7:50 amBaked brie is good stuff, isn’t it? And always impresses people. Well, at least those that haven’t made it themselves, so they don’t know how easy it is. Love the idea of topping it with figs — such a nice pairing. And yes, I think this would make an excellent dessert, too. Thanks!
Sue
September 13, 2017 at 8:01 amIt’s true, it does look so much more impressive than it is…but oh, that flavor!