This easy baked brie with fig jam is one of those recipes that looks fancy — but couldn’t be simpler. It’s the perfect appetizer for the holidays, a cozy night in, or any time you want something special without much effort.
A wheel of creamy brie is topped with sweet fig jam, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and a touch of orange zest, then baked until it’s melty and irresistible. Serve it with crackers, toasted baguette slices, and fresh fruit for an elegant crowd-pleaser everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Just a few simple ingredients — no fuss, no long prep time.
- Looks beautiful on a holiday cheese board or charcuterie spread.
- You can prep it ahead and pop it in the oven when guests arrive.
- Easy to customize with different jams, nuts, and toppings.
Ingredients
(Scroll below for the printable recipe card below for exact measurements and baking instructions.)
- Brie cheese wheel
- Fig jam or fig spread
- Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- Dried cranberries
- Fresh orange zest
Instructions for this easy brie recipe
(Scroll to the bottom of the post for the exact instructions in the recipe card.
1.Trim off the top rind of the brie wheel & place on parchment lined pan. 
2.Spread with fig jam. 
3.Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
4.Top with cranberries 
5.Bake at 350 for 20 minutes 
6.Slide onto serving tray & serve.
Serve with toasted baguettes or crackers and a variety of fresh fruit. Grapes are delicious with this flavor combination.
Tips & Tricks
- I find the easiest and best way to trim off the top rind of brie cheese is to freeze the brie first. It’s easy to handle when it’s frozen solid. If you don’t have time to freeze it, another method is to lightly score the brie rind in a grid pattern with a sharp knife. (But, be careful not to cut the sides off the wheel!)
- Bake on a sheet of parchment paper and transfer the hot melting brie right onto the serving platter by sliding the parchment paper on it.
- Brie cheese lasts a long time in the freezer, so you can always have some on hand for unexpected guests.
- Use a wooden cutting board as a serving dish and arrange toasted baguette slices, delicious crackers and fresh fruits around it to make a beautiful charcuterrie board display.
- Fig jam may be tricky to find in your grocery store. I found mine near the deli section around holiday time.
Substitutions & Variations for Baked Brie Toppings
For a more rustic serving presentation, bake and serve this brie recipe in a small iron skillet.
Switch up the varieties and flavors by using different jams, toppings, and fresh herbs. Some other baked brie topping options are:
- Strawberry jam, toasted almonds, & fresh rosemary
- Maple syrup and bacon bits
- Red pepper jelly & toasted pecans
- Sauted apples and caramel sauce
Some people like to go an extra step and cover the jam covered brie cheese in phyllo dough before baking.
Make this Baked Brie Recipe Ahead for Easy Entertaining
You can prep this appetizer recipe before guests arrive, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to put it in the oven and warm it up. Prepare the serving board ahead of time with the other items, and then slide the warm baked brie on when it’s warm.
Want Grandma Rita’s Help in your Holiday Kitchen?
Do you ever wish you could have a Grandma in your kitchen to help with the holiday dinner? Well, I’m here for you! I put together a holiday dinner guide that has 29 classic holiday recipes plus lots of helpful tips & tricks I’ve gathered over the 35 years I’ve made turkey dinners– perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Grab yourself and copy and enjoy a helping hand!
Equipment
This baked brie recipe doesn’t require any special equipment. I used my favorite small stoneware bar pan (I got mine from Pampered Chef years ago!)
(Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kitchen tools!)
Other Party Appetizer Ideas:
- Bacon wrapped stuffing balls with cranberry sauce
- Christmas tree charcuterie board veggie platter
- Christmas cookies charcuterie board
Baked Brie with Fig Jam & Craisens Recipe
A single wheel of brie cheese, adorned with sweet fig jam, crushed nuts, dried cranberries, and orange zest, is baked until the melted brie achieves a hot, gooey consistency—excellent for serving with crackers or baguettes. This is a wonderful appetizer recipe suitable for holidays or significant gatherings.
Ingredients
Method
- With a sharp blade, carefully remove the white exterior from the brie wheel. The simplest approach is to place the cheese in the freezer first; it becomes much easier to manage when completely solid. If time is short, an alternative is to make shallow cuts across the rind in a grid formation using a sharp knife. Exercise caution to avoid removing pieces from the wheel's sides.
- Cut a sheet of parchment large enough to cover the brie wheel and position it on the base of a baking tray. Place the cheese wheel on top. Then add the following layers:
- Two generous spoonfuls of fig jam spread
- A generous portion of chopped nuts
- One or two tablespoons of craisens (dried cranberries)
- A light dusting of finely grated orange zest.
- Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for roughly 15 minutes, or until the brie begins to ooze down the edges. (Should the brie begin frozen, additional baking time will be necessary.)
- For serving, glide the parchment paper carrying the brie directly onto the cheese platter or charcuterie board.
- Pair with toasted baguette slices or crackers alongside a selection of fresh fruit. Grapes complement this flavor profile beautifully.
