Buzz
Photo: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily HallSearching for a show-stopping appetizer that will wow your guests? This dish is a guaranteed hit. A whole wheel of Brie transforms into a luscious, gooey centerpiece, perfect for pairing with crackers or toasted bread. The rich, savory cheese is beautifully balanced by a topping of caramelized apples infused with bourbon. A decadent blend of butter, brown sugar, and bourbon, enhanced with a hint of orange zest, creates a glossy, irresistible glaze for the tender apples crowning this baked Brie. Opt for a full round of Brie—avoid wedges—to achieve the perfect presentation and texture.
Supermarket Brie rounds work best for this recipe. Avoid premium varieties, as they may melt too quickly and lose their shape. Camembert can be used as a substitute if desired.
Ingredients
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3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
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1 medium Honeycrisp or Ambrosia apple, cored and sliced into 3/8-inch pieces (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
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1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
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1/2 tsp. orange zest combined with 1/4 cup freshly squeezed juice (from 1 orange)
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3 Tbsp. bourbon
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1 8.8-oz. Brie wheel (1 1/4 inches thick)
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2 Tbsp. chopped roasted unsalted pistachios
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Crackers or crostini, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven:
Set the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Cook apples in a skillet:
Heat butter in a medium-sized nonstick skillet over medium heat until it begins to bubble. Add the apple slices and cook, occasionally stirring and flipping, until they are lightly browned and softened, approximately 5 minutes. Mix in the sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the apples become tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily HallAdd the bourbon:
Gently pour in the bourbon and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the alcohol evaporates and the sauce thickens to a syrupy texture, roughly 2 minutes. (Exercise caution on a gas stove, as the mixture may ignite. If it does, allow it to burn off naturally.)
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily HallBake the Brie:
While the apples cook, place the Brie wheel on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the cheese feels soft to the touch, approximately 12 minutes.
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily HallTop the Brie and serve:
Carefully transfer the Brie to a shallow serving dish using two large spatulas. Generously spoon the apple mixture over the cheese and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Pair with crackers or crostini for a delightful serving option.
Make-Ahead: This dish is best served fresh from the oven, as the Brie will begin to firm up over time. The apple topping is also ideal when prepared just before serving to maintain the apples' texture and prevent the sauce from becoming too thick as it cools.
