This Baked Camembert recipe is simple, fast and elegant. Perfect for your holiday parties!
I’ve often wondered why Brie is so ubiquitous and Camembert doesn’t appear as often as a go-to cheese appetizer, especially around the holidays.
Don’t misunderstand me; I adore Brie and it makes an appearance far more often on my party table, too. But I also have a deep love for Camembert, and I thought it was well past the time when I should share a favorite recipe for it.
What’s the difference between Camembert and Brie?
Brie and Camembert cheeses are very similar in both taste and texture, with slight differences. Brie has a milder flavor while Camembert is a bit earthier and stronger. The texture of Camembert is a bit firmer as well.
Because Camembert has a slightly stronger flavor, I paired this Baked Camembert recipe with sweet, tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts for both their flavor and to add some texture. A drizzle of high-quality honey, such as tupelo, brings all the flavors together.
How to Bake Camembert
- Score the Camembert – Remove all packaging from the cheese and put the cheese back into its box then onto a sheet pan. Score the cheese in a crisscross pattern across the top of the cheese (about 4-5 cuts each direction).
- Garnish the Rind – Put the cranberries and nuts on top of the cheese. It’s okay if a few fall off.
- Bake – Bake in the oven at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit and until the top of the cheese feels soft when pressed on. Do not overbake or the cheese could harden again.
- Serve hot – Place the Camembert cheese in its box on a serving platter with crackers or toasted bread. The cheese can be removed from the box, but if it’s very soft you may opt to leave it in. Drizzle the honey over the top.
Can you bake Camembert in its cardboard box?
Not only can you bake Camembert in its box, it’s recommended that you do so. It will help hold the cheese together in the oven, so that if you overbake it slightly it won’t spread everywhere.
You can remove the box once it’s on your serving platter, but keep in mind that it may spread quite a bit depending on how soft it got in the oven. Leaving it in its box is just fine, so use your best judgment.
Personally, I use a Camembert (or Brie) Baker. They’re so pretty and I never have to worry if I picked up a round of cheese that didn’t come in a box.
How do you serve Camembert cheese?
Obviously, this Baked Camembert recipe is the best way to serve it! 😉 You can also bake it and serve it as-is, or add any number of toppings. Fresh thyme and honey, raspberries or cherries with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, your favorite toasted nuts with preserves or even topped with roasted pears are all delicious choices.
I tend to choose my toppings depending on the time of year it is. I always go for cranberries during the holidays and typically berries and balsamic during the warmer months. A fruit jam or preserve such as apricot jam, raspberry, grape, strawberry, or apple jam works any time of the year. Roasted garlic spread on top is delicious too.
Camembert can also be served without baking it first. It tastes best this way at room temperature, so simply take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
If you prepare it one of these two ways – either baked or at room temperature – you’ll want to serve it with crackers or toasted bread on the side. I usually put out two to three cheese knives depending on the size of my crowd.
You can also add Camembert to your favorite dishes, such as pasta or mac & cheese, to a grilled cheese with arugula and prosciutto, or even add small pieces to a salad. Just keep in mind that it’s a very rich, earthy cheese, so a little will go a long way.
Can you eat Camembert rind?
Yes, and you should! The rind is completely edible, and some people actually consider it rude not to eat it. That said, the rind can be much stronger-tasting than it’s soft inside, so if you try it and you find it to be too strong, go ahead and skip it.
Baked Camembert with Honey, Cranberries and Walnuts
This Baked Camembert recipe is simple, fast and elegant. It's perfect for all of your holiday parties!
Ingredients
- 1 round Camembert cheese, in its wooden box (typically about 9 oz)
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tbsp high-quality honey, such as tupelo
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Remove all packaging from the cheese, including the paper around it. Put the cheese back into its box and place it on a sheet pan.
- Score the cheese in a crisscross pattern across the top of the cheese (about 4-5 cuts each direction).
- Put the cranberries and nuts on top of the cheese. It's okay if a few fall off.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the top of the cheese feels soft when pressed on. Do not overbake or the cheese could harden again.
- Place the cheese in its box on a serving platter with crackers or toasted bread. The cheese can be removed from the box, but if it's very soft you may opt to leave it in.
- Drizzle the honey over the top.
Notes
You can toast some bread at the same time that you bake the cheese if you like. Slice a baguette and brush with olive oil, then place the bread slices around the cheese on the sheet pan. The bread should be done about the same time as the cheese, but keep an eye on both to be sure.
If your cheese doesn't come in a box, you can bake it in a small dish or in a camembert baker (see below for recommended products).
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 72Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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