Balsamic Cherry Baked Brie — This 3-ingredient baked brie is the perfect last-minute holiday appetizer! It’s salty and sweet, and oh so creamy. This stuff is seriously good!
Easy Baked Brie Appetizer
I love appetizers so much. I’d rather have them than entrees. And of all appetizers, baked brie is my absolute favorite. And this is the best baked brie.
Quite a claim, but it’s that good. It’s such a simple recipe with just three ingredients, but it’s amazing how satisfying, comforting, and just face-stuffing worthy it is.
It pairs salty-and-sweet, with smooth and creamy. Throw in the texture and chewiness from the cherries, and served on top of crunchy crackers, it’s a total slam dunk. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute party appetizer.
To make it, slice the top off from a wheel of brie, spoon on a mixture of cherry jam and balsamic vinegar, put the top back on, and bake for 10 minutes. Mindlessly easy.
One thing notably absent from this baked brie is puff pastry or any kind of pastry or pie dough. Many times when brie is baked inside dough, the dough overwhelms it, and I find myself having to weed through way too much dry, tasteless bread to find the melty cheese that I covet. If I wanted puff pastry, I’d make cream puffs.
The cheese is melty, luscious, and the saltiness is tempered by sweet-yet-tart cherry jam and balsamic vinegar. I love all things balsamic and could drink balsamic reduction. Plucking out those sweet and tangy cherries from the big pile was so satisfying.
This is without a doubt my favorite appetizer I’ve ever posted. I don’t know why it took me 5 years and hundreds of recipes later to do so, but better late than never.
If it was served at a party, I’d make sure to babysit the table until it was gone. It was so good that it took every ounce of willpower not to devour the whole thing. Definitely and totally worth the cardio.
What’s in This Baked Brie Recipe?
The ingredient list for this baked brie appetizer is super short, and that’s the beauty of this flavorful recipe! Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy appetizer:
- Wheel of brie
- Cherry jam or preserves
- Balsamic vinegar
- Crackers, bread, etc. for dipping
How to Bake Brie
Place the brie on a cutting board and carefully cut off one end (you just want to get the rind off). Place the bottom of the brie onto a Silpat-lined baking tray and spoon a mixture of cherry preserves and balsamic over top.
Loosely place the brie “top” over the preserves, then bake until the cheese has melted. Transfer the gooey cheese to a serving platter using two spatulas, or whatever you think is easiest.
Brie is best warm and fresh, although it will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, including the cherries. It firms up, but slicing pieces off and serving on crackers or bread works fine.
Can I Use Fresh Cherries Instead of Preserves?
Probably, but you’d want to cook them down on the stove with a little sugar to make them nice and jammy before spooning them onto the brie.
Can I Use Canned Cherry Pie Filling?
No, canned pie filling would result in the wrong texture and flavor.
Tips for Making Baked Brie
Be very careful when cutting the top off the wheel of brie. Cutting through the rind can take some muscle, so be patient and go slowly.
When dolloping the cherry preserves onto the brie, I like to leave a 1-inch margin so the preserves don’t bubble over in the oven and burn.
This is definitely not a neat and tidy appetizer. Your guests will need to be willing to really dig into it with bread and crackers, but it’s so worth it.
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The Best Baked Brie with Balsamic Cherries
This 3-ingredient baked brie is the perfect last-minute holiday appetizer! It's salty and sweet, and oh so creamy. This stuff is seriously good!
Ingredients
- one 8-ounce wheel of brie
- about 1/3 heaping cup cherry jam or preserves
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- bread, crackers, mini toasts, chips, etc. for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- Place brie on a cutting board and slice off one end of it so that the ‘top’ is about 1/8-inch thick. Cutting through the rind takes a bit of elbow grease. Use a sharp knife, take your time, and be careful.
- Place base of brie in the center of prepared baking sheet with the top nearby; set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir to combine the jam and balsamic vinegar. Taste and make sure you like the balance of flavors; adjust if necessary.
- Spoon jam mixture over the center of brie and keep a bare 1-inch margin around the perimeter to help prevent runoff while baking.
- Loosely place the brie ‘top’ over the jam mixture.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted. In the final moments, jam may runoff which is okay, but keep a watchful eye to make sure it’s not burning if it’s touching the baking sheet.
- Using two large spatulas or whatever method is easiest, transfer brie to serving platter. Serve immediately with your favorite bread, crackers, etc.
Notes
- Brie is best warm and fresh, although will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, including the cherries. It firms up, but slicing pieces off and serving on crackers or bread works fine.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 179Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g
More Cheesy Appetizer Recipes:
Black Currant and Walnut-Stuffed Baked Brie — Easy holiday entertaining is yours with this recipe. Slice a round wheel of brie horizontally, add walnuts, and black currant fruit spread.
Baked Spinach, Artichoke, and Mozzarella Dip (GF) — The dip is creamy, cheesy, gooey, and everything I want in a baked spinach and artichoke dip.
Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Onion Dip (gluten-free) – One of my favorite dips and I used to think I hated onions. Stir it together in one bowl in minutes and bake for cheesy comfort food.
Baked Triple Cheese and Salsa Tortilla Chip Dip — Loaded with 3 kinds of cheese and baked to browned, bubbly, golden perfection.
Cranberry Baked Brie — An EASY 15-minute appetizer that’s filled AND topped with richly spiced orange-scented cranberry sauce. Perfect for holiday entertaining! This cranberry brie is salty, tart-yet-sweet, and IRRESISTIBLE!!
5-Minute Chili Cheese Dip – EASY, ready in 5 minutes, just 3 main ingredients, and made in the microwave!! The CHEESE is irresistible! The perfect game day or easy party appetizer that everyone LOVES!!
Spicy Chorizo Queso – No processed cheese in this EASY cheese dip that’s ready in 20 minutes!! Wonderfully spicy thanks to the chorizo! Great appetizer for holiday entertaining, parties, and game days!!
This is Lovely!! To the 2nd one for entertaining, we Added 1T orange marmalade to the cherries and balsamic.
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad you enjoyed this!
I love your recipes so much. They are divinely tasty and so easy to make! I am so happy that I found this awesome website. :-D
Thank you!
Can you bake this in a brie baker? I got one as a gift and have never used it!
I’ve never ever heard of that item! I don’t know since it’s news to me!
Can I use fresh cherries?!
Yes but you’d probably want to add some sugar and mash them a bit and cook them down a bit because you won’t get the same drippy, juicy factor without doing it.
I want to try this so bad but cannot find cherry jam or preserves with whole cherries! Would cherry pie filling work? We were going to have it at Easter but after searching three grocery stores, gave up!
You can’t find ANY cherry jam, anywhere? It doesn’t have to be ‘whole cherries’. Just some cherry jam, any kind. I wouldn’t use pie filling as I think it will be the wrong sweetness and texture. If you can’t find cherry jam, I would move onto another flavor of jam you think that sounds good…maybe a mixed berry, strawberry, pineapple, orange marmalade but I wouldn’t use pie filling.
This is gorgeous! I love brie so it’s not like I need an excuse to eat it, but if I did, this recipe would be a valid one! Love!
Thanks, Rach!
Hi Averie!
I am super excited to find your website and this fun recipe! It is absolutely brilliant! I am honored to feature it in “Top Pinterest Pins” on my website, The Mindful Shopper! http://mindful-shopper.com/2014/07/13/top-10-pinterest-pins-week/
I will definitely be back!
Thanks for the compliments and feature!
The combination of flavors is very good. BUT we found it very difficult to cut and to let people serve themselves . As a result, a lot of this appetizer was not eaten at our party.
It’s definitely not a “neat-and-tidy” appetizer or something that’s easily sliceable like uncooked cheese slices. People have to be willing to just get in there and wrestle off a hunk using crackers, a small spoon and/or butter knife left on the serving plate, or whatever is best. Never waste cheese! :) Thanks for trying it and glad you enjoyed the flavors.
My face basically just slid off my head.
Just made this for Easter – it was AWSOME!!!
That’s wonderful to hear and thank you for trying the recipe, on Easter no less!
Made this for a girls night. Simple, delicious and a big hit!
Thank you
Glad it was a big hit! Thanks for LMK you tried it!
Ooooh wow this looks dangerously decadent! I’m a big fan of appetizers that are simple to make – I used to try to make more involved appetizers, but then I was always rushing around to finish things while guests were arriving. No more! This looks like the perfect appetizer for my next dinner gathering :)
It is the perfect app b/c there’s no work, no fuss, and it’s so, so good! My fave app EVER in 5 years of blogging! LMK if you try it!
I’m right there with you — I’d much rather make a meal out of appetizers than entrées too! With how much my parents, especially my dad, adore brie, this is something they’d totally appreciate. Whenever they have guests over, Dad always makes sure to buy a few types of soft cheeses and crunchy crackers from TJ’s to serve as appetizers. I’m passing this along to him, and I’m 100% positive it’ll make an appearance really soon!
Oh I hope it does. Not kidding when I say it’s the BEST and my most favorite appetizer I’ve ever made or posted in 5 years of blogging!
That says a lot Averie — you have incredible tastes!!
I could dig right in, this looks wonderful!
I want to wash it down with your clem. fizz!
Averie, this looks heavenly! Baked Brie is a favorite and I especially love when it is served with fruit. Pinned!
Love your name and blog name, of course :) And thanks for pinning!
Everyone better watch out for me when there is brie served at a party or something. Averie, I can never stop hovering over it. My favorite little appetizer, especially when it’s served with a sweet jam or sorts. I once had it with an apricot jam and candied almonds on top. SO good. Your brie looks so simple – just three ingredients. Little work with big results!
Littlest work ever, with biggest results, ever! Sally in 5 years I have never loved an appetizer like this one on my site, period. It’s the bees knees, end-all-be-all recipe for me. Like nothing else will ever compare :) The texture contrast, the melty cheese, Sally if you’re a brie-hover’er like I am, make this sometime!
I’m drooling at the photos of this brie deliciousness. I love brie and I love this recipe. Pinned!
Thanks for the compliments & pin, Norma!
Baked brie is one of my appetizer weaknesses!!
Oh my. This stuff could be dangerous. Yummy!!!
Ohmigosh I could live on baked brie. It’s seriously the BEST thing EVER. I want it for dinner!
Girl…I know. This, with drinks, we’re set :)
Mmm… balsamic cherries! I need this and a glass of wine stat. Looks amazing :)
I love brie! And a three ingredient easy dip that is the best?! Definitely need some of this! Lovely pictures Averie! Pinned :)
Thanks for the pin and compliments, Chelsea!
Completely agree that I would take a feast of appetizers over just one ole main dish. Hence why I love tapas. And I have made roasted garlic + rosemary baked brie but baking it with cherries would be phenomenal. Bread + cheese + honey/jam/something sweet is endlessly addictive.. The balsamic would add a nice tart/grown up edge to this too. Will keep this in mind for the next potluck dinner party we have, minimal effort in terms of preparation too :)
This waaaaaaaaaaay beyond a mere appetizer. For me this is a whole meal and I would love every single tantalizing morsel. There would be NO sharing.
And I would get ill from overeating, BUT I would have fun doing it. Some people drink. Me? I eat baked brie with cherries.
I totally ate this until I had a stomach ache and frankly did not care :) It was so.darn.good. It was a meal, for sure. Mmm, I want to make it again! LOL
Oh MY GOD! That is just too, too perfect!! I love it!
Brie in any form, in every form, is pure heaven.
You forgot to n that it pairs with cocktails, that’s why I’m saying Cheers Averie. GREG
I wish I was having this again…with plenty of cocktails! :)
Sometimes I think I could eat only appetizers for dinner too! This would definitely be one of them. I love the flavors that you combined in this! I also really like that you left out the puff pastry/pie crust. I totally agree, I love pie crust, but why make it harder to get to the good stuff? :)
Wow! This looks amazing! Couldn’t agree more about appetizers… I love apps as a meal!
Oooo, this looks really incredible. Love brie, loved baked brie, and I really love your idea of pairing it with tart balsamic cherries to contrast with the richness. Yum!!!
The contrast is a great one!
I love baked brie! The balsamic cherries sound wonderful! Pinned!
Thanks, Anna! :)
Every once in a while we have “appetizer nights” where we eat only appetizers and it’s the best thing ever. This baked brie looks amazing, I love brie anytime but it is so much better when warmed!
Most of my 20s were “appetizer nights” – where we eat only appetizers and it’s the best thing ever AND plenty of wine and liquor :)
I love baked brie and could literally make a meal out of this. Love the balsamic cherries!
I DID make a meal out of it. Best.meal.ever.
As a kid we had appetizers for dinner every single Sunday, it was wonderful! One of my favorite memories from growing up. This looks awesome, I might have to renew our tradition and break out the appetizers next Sunday!
Now that is a super cool story and I think I want to implement it, asap! Seriously! Thanks for the wonderful idea!
This brie looks amazing! And balsamic cherries? What a great idea, Averie! Love the gorgeous pictures of this appetizer!
Thanks, Gayle, for the sweet compliments! :)
So yummy… I can not stop looking at it. I have never done any recipe with Brie.. but it is definitely on my list..
I’m falling head over heels in love with cherry. This looks like the best of the best. :)
Have a beautiful Monday Averie!
IMO (not so humble) it was the best of the best. I want to re-make it…like every day :)
Agreed on the appetizers – I could go for those over an entree any day! I love this simple appetizer. I’m intrigued by the cherry/balsamic combination. I bet it’s delicious, and equally delicious with that delightful slice of brie on top!
So with you on appetizers. — I can totally make a meal out of them. And this brie looks fabulous! Love how the bright balsamic cherries compliment the white brie! SO gorgeous!
Brie is my absolute favorite. Triple cream, please. This looks so gooey. I love that you topped it with cherries. Drool!
Triple cream brie is so worth the cardio :)
I’m an appetizer-into-meal type girl, so dips and chips have my heart! Baked brie is always so pretty, but the cherries take it to the next level here. Your lighting is amazing, too!
I’m an appetizer-into-meal type girl, so dips and chips have my heart <--- AMEN! :)
This looks SO GOOD! I have definitely been know to make entire meals out of appetizers, so I can’t wait to try this!
Oh this WAS and could be a meal for me, daily, if I could swing it :)
Baked brie has got to be one of my all time favorite appetizers… This looks AWESOME. :)
Great to hear from you, Colleen! :) If you’re a brie fan, I hope you try this version someday!
I’m such a sucker for baked brie. I love when it’s still warm!! Mmmmm.
This has to be the best fruit and cheese combo I’ve ever seen…and those photos make me want this for breakfast! I haven’t had brie in so long, but this would undoubtedly be the recipe to fix that!!
Paula, seriously, you’ve read every post of mine for the last 5 years and this is, without a doubt, the best appetizer I’ve ever made. I made it like a month ago (it’s been sitting in my to-be-posted pile) and every.day.since.then I’ve thought about it. If I had supersonic metabolism, I would make this every day. For me, it’s just that incredible with the perfect balance of flavors and texture. If you use a small wheel of brie like I used, and your hubby is a fan of it too, you could totally have a wine-and-cheese dinner and not be too overwhelmed in cheese!
This looks like an amazing appetizer! I love the cherries :-)
Oh my!! I love these flavors! Wish I could dive in right now!
Brie is one of my all time faves and I looks perfect with cherries and balsamic. Very nice!
I am a huge fan of anything that can be eaten with a cracker. These brie looks fabulous!
Thanks for all your comments today, too!
First, I’ve had an inexplicable craving for brie lately. Second, there is a wonderful olive oil/balsamic vinegar store here in the city, and they sell dozens of different flavour-infused balsamic vinegars. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES! And finally, I feel serving an appetizer like this at my next gathering might make me seem sophisticated – which is most appreciated by yours truly.
Sophisticated in 15 minutes flat. It’s really stunning in person, in a way that is impossible to capture…white, orange/yellow, and burgundy…none of those colors do real well on camera. In person, this was a glistening showstopper if I do say so and you will be a hero! And inexplicable craving for brie…that was me! So I made this!
I am dangerous woman around warm and melting cheese dishes. I am a fan of apps mainly because the entree is normally too big for my liking. My stomach may be big but not that big. Also the more I get the sample the better!
Sweet, creamy and salty you explained it perfectly here why this is a go to snack any day.
I just pinned your cupcakes and cheesecake. They look delish and “Also the more I get the sample the better!” is so true! Variety is the spice of life!
Appies are my absolute favorite ever…who needs real meals! I love not using a knife and fork.
Baked brie is amazing and I can only imagine how much more amazing it is balsamic and cherries…fabulous as always Averie! Pinned :)
Thanks for your sweet words and pin, Taylor! Seriously, this stuff was ridic good. If you’re a brie fan, this is the.deal.
How amazing does this look?! I’m with you on the apps – who needs entrees when you can snack on so many different kinds of appetizers?! I also love how simple this is. Baked brie has been on my bucket list for years but I just never got around to it. But your recipe may just be the first one I try :)
I swear to God I had to donate this or I would have eaten the WHOLE THING all at once. I am a bottomless pit when it comes to brie, and also super picky about what’s worth the cardio and what’s not. This was SO worth it. Just editing the pics, I was dying and wanted to make it all over again :)
Well good golly, you just put together three of my favorite things. And I concur, apps as entrees is a beautiful thing. I may have no choice but to make this.
You will love this if you try it. So, so good :)