Baked Brie and Fall Charcuterie Board
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This Baked Brie and Fall Charcuterie Board is easy to assemble, beautiful for autumn gatherings, and the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving. Warm, creamy brie is the centerpiece, surrounded by seasonal fruit, cured meats, nuts, and crackers for a cozy, abundant board guests will love.
For more serving boards, see my Easy Holiday Cheese Board or Mediterranean Charcuterie Board.
Recipe Overview
- Time: About 15 minutes
- Serves: 6 to 10 (depending on board size)
- Flavor Profile: Warm, creamy, sweet + savory
- Make Ahead: Prepare the board elements ahead; bake the brie just before serving
- Perfect For: Fall gatherings, Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving grazing hour
What I Love About This
This board looks festive and generous, but it's incredibly simple to pull together. The baked brie adds a warm, comforting element that makes the whole spread feel intentional, not just "assembled." And it's easy to customize - use whatever fall fruit is in season, your favorite cheeses, and the crackers you have on hand.
It's also one of my favorite ways to welcome guests. People can nibble and settle in, and you get a little breathing room before dinner. And the colors - deep ruby grapes, golden pears, rosemary greens - feel like autumn itself on the table.
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Ingredients for Fall Charcuterie Board
Welcome to a quick fall charcuterie board idea I pulled together for an unplanned, impromptu gathering of friends. It took me all of 10 minutes to create (after raiding the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer), and it was the gathering place as guests sampled finger foods, melty brie, fruits, nuts, and roasted pepitas.
Cheeses
- Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
- Sweet English Cheddar Cheese
- Smoked Gouda
Fruits, Nuts & Seeds
- Dried apricots
- Pitted dates
- Dried cranberries
- Grapes (green and red)
- Fresh apples
- Fresh pears
- Slow Cooker Maple Spiced Nuts
- Roasted pepitas (Trader Joe's)
Breads & Crackers
- Sliced pumpkin bread
- Water crackers (homemade crackers are delicious, too)
- Toasted crostini (baguette toasted with olive oil)
Toppings & Spreads
- Honey
- Cranberry Relish (or cranberry sauce, jam, or preserves)
How to Build the Board
- Start with the brie - place the container or plate in the center of the serving area or just off-center.
- Add 2-3 small bowls to anchor the layout (jams, olives, honey).
- Place your supporting cheeses spaced around the brie.
- Fold or curl meats for texture and nestle them alongside the cheeses.
- Layer in fruit around the perimeter for color and flow.
- Fill gaps with nuts and rosemary sprigs.
- Bake the brie last and place it warm onto the board just before serving.
Baked Brie Recipe
Baked Brie is one of the most delicious melted cheeses ever. It's also one of the most popular party foods on the planet. It's simple to make with a handful of ingredients and is a perfect way to entertain your guests.
Warm, creamy baked brie is the centerpiece of this fall board. You can top it with honey, jam, nuts, fruit, or herbs, depending on the flavors you love or what's in season.
Ingredients
- Brie Wheel (8-12 oz): Choose a good-quality brie with the rind on. The rind keeps the cheese contained as it bakes.
- Honey or Fig Jam: Adds a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with Brie's mild flavor.
- Toasted Nuts (pecans or walnuts): A little texture goes a long way - chop lightly for best bite.
- Fresh Rosemary (optional): Adds an aromatic, woodsy note that feels especially cozy and autumnal.
- Crackers or Sliced Baguette: For serving. Choose a mix of textures - soft bread + crisp crackers works well.
How to make Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
When I mentioned it was easy, it truly is. It's also quick! The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes ingredient measurements and instructions; here is a quick overview with pictures.
Preheat the oven to 400℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Step 1: Roll cold puff pastry into an 11- or 12-inch square. Place the brie in the middle of the square, score the top with a knife, and drizzle with honey.
- Step 2: Spoon the cranberry relish (or jam) over the honey in the center of the brie wheel.
- Step 3: Fold one corner over the top of the brie and brush egg wash onto the corner; this helps glue the puff pastry together during baking.
- Step 4: Fold opposite corners and apply egg wash until it's encased in puff pastry with egg wash brushed over the top. Chill if the pastry has warmed. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
Flavor Topping Pairings
- Honey + Walnuts + Rosemary (cozy, classic)
- Fig Jam + Pistachios + Thyme (elegant, seasonal)
- Cranberry Sauce + Orange Zest + Pecans (festive for holidays)
- Caramelized Onions + Thyme (savory, rustic)
- Maple Syrup + Sea Salt + Pecans (deep autumn flavor)
Variations
- Savory Thyme & Onion:
Top with caramelized onions and thyme before baking. - Wrapped in Puff Pastry:
Wrap brie in thawed puff pastry, brush with beaten egg, and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. - Cranberry + Orange:
Use cranberry sauce and a pinch of orange zest on top.
How to Serve Baked Brie
Baked Brie is best served with sturdy crackers or crostini for scooping up all the melty cheese. Water-thin crackers and chips aren't strong enough.
Because fruit and cheese are classic pairings, a simple bunch of grapes, along with snack crackers and even a scattering of dried fruit (like dried cranberries) and a few nuts or seeds, makes an impressive yet super easy appetizer!
Recipe FAQs
Keep the rind on, but do score the top with a knife in shallow, criss-cross cuts about ½-inch apart in a diamond pattern. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the rind, just enough to allow the honey and cranberries to penetrate the cheese.
Serve it right on the board, or place a small trivet or warm plate beneath to keep it warm longer.
Assemble the board elements ahead of time and refrigerate, covered. Bake the brie just before serving, then place it on the prepared board.
Store leftover brie and fruit in separate airtight containers. Brie reheats gently in a low oven (275°F) for 8-10 minutes.
More Party Foods and Appetizers
- Easy Holiday Cheese Board
- Easy Brunch Charcuterie Board
- Easy Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Easy Mediterranean Charcuterie Board
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Baked Brie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet thawed but still cold
- 1 (8-ounce) round brie cheese
- honey
- cranberry relish or cranberry sauce, jam or preserves, etc.
- 1 egg beaten for an egg wash
Instructions
- Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside. You can also bake the brie in a pie plate.
- Roll the thawed but still cold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into an 11- or 12-inch square.
- Place the brie in the middle, using a sharp knife, lightly score the Brie rind ½ inch apart in a diamond pattern. Drizzle the top with honey, and spoon the cranberry relish (or jam) in the center.
- Fold one puff pastry corner over the top of the brie and brush egg wash onto the corner; this helps glue the puff pastry together during baking. Fold opposite corners and apply egg wash until the Brie is encased in puff pastry. Use your hands to gently press the edges together and bring in the sides.
- Transfer the brie to the prepared baking sheet. If the puff pastry has warmed and is no longer cool, refrigerate for a few minutes. This helps the pastry puff in the oven. Brush the egg wash generously over the puff pastry, but try to keep it from running over the side and pooling underneath the pastry.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the brie with toppings up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
- Serving Temperature: Baked brie is best served warm and just-melty. If it cools, rewarm in a 275°F oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Do I Remove the Rind? No - leave the rind on. It helps the cheese hold its shape while baking. The interior will become soft and creamy.
- Topping Ideas: Honey + walnuts is classic, but fig jam, cranberry sauce, apple butter, or apricot preserves all work beautifully. Add a few rosemary leaves for a warm, autumn note.
- Bread & Crackers: Choose a mix of soft and crisp textures for serving - sliced baguette, crusty bread, seedy crackers, crostini, or flatbread crackers.
- Puff Pastry Option: To wrap in pastry: Enclose the brie in thawed puff pastry, brush with beaten egg, and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden. Let cool 5-10 minutes before cutting.
- Leftovers: Leftover brie can be refrigerated and gently reheated. It also makes a delicious sandwich spread.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This looks so good!