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For an easy appetizer recipe that looks beautiful and tastes even better, you need to try my recipe for Baked Brie in Crescent Rolls. This Brie en Croûte with brown sugar topping is so delicious, and because it uses canned crescent rolls, it's basically effortless to make. Ready in under an hour and perfect for serving over the holidays!
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Brie en Croûte
When my kids were growing up, I got creative with our holiday recipes to inspire them to try foods they might not normally be interested in. One of those recipes that they now love and ask for every year is my super simple recipe for Brie en Croûte.
This is a baked brie with crescent rolls, which makes it even easier than you might expect for such a delicious and beautiful appetizer. By using crescent rolls, you avoid the hassle of making your own crust, while achieving a perfect, buttery and flaky texture no one can resist. It's seriously so good!
I get asked what my secret is for this recipe every year. The truth is, there isn't much of a secret to it. The only "secret" is that it will take you hardly any time to get done, and no one will be able to tell. 😉 Anyone can make this dish!
All you need are a handful of simple ingredients: refrigerator crescent rolls, brown sugar, brie cheese, an egg, and just a few common pantry seasonings. Assemble everything in a ramekin, bake at 350°F, and enjoy. It's really that easy to make the most amazing baked brie in crescent rolls!
Why make baked brie with crescent rolls?
Let me start by telling you this recipe is way easier to make than you might think. Don't let the gorgeous appearance of this appetizer fool you! It takes hardly any effort to prepare.
It's easy to bake brie in crescent rolls.
It's easy. Seriously; by using crescent rolls for the crust, all you need to do is assemble, bake, and serve. Some brie en croute recipes use pie crust, but I find that refrigerated crescent rolls are even easier and have a great texture and flavor for pairing with brie. They're soft and flaky, with a buttery taste that really complements the smooth richness of brie cheese. Paired with an amazing, sweet brown sugar topping, this is one dreamy appetizer no one will believe is as easy to make as it is.
Brie en Croûte impresses everyone with how it looks.
It's gorgeous. You might think that isn't a big deal, but what could be better than serving a gorgeous appetizer for the holidays and impressing the whole table? Trust me, it makes a difference when a dish is this beautiful. Everyone will be complimenting how good it looks, and they'll love how it tastes even more than that!
The flavor combo of baked brie in crescent rolls is unbeatable.
The combination of flavors is perfect. Earthy, buttery brie, savory and flaky crescent rolls, and a sweet-yet-somewhat-spicy brown sugar red pepper topping come together in complete harmony. I can never take just one bite of this appetizer, which is difficult… because of course, you want to share it with everyone!
Baked Brie in Crescent Rolls Ingredients
- Brie Cheese: There are tons of varieties of brie out there, so take your pick! I tend to go with smaller, milder brie for this recipe, as it needs to be able to fit in a round baking dish. Just keep the size of the dish in mind when choosing yours. You can either splurge on an expensive brie, or pick up a more budget-friendly option. I promise it will be tasty either way.
- Crescent Rolls: Crescent rolls are the secret to why this is such an easy baked brie recipe! They have a rich, buttery flavor and great flaky texture that turns into an easy pastry crust without needing to make your own pastry dough.
- Brown Sugar: My super simple brown sugar and red pepper topping is what makes this recipe truly stand out. The blend of sweet and heat makes for a crunchy, irresistible topping!
- Crushed Red Pepper: Don't skip the red pepper (unless you don't want any spice at all)! If you don't have any, you can also use cayenne. The touch of heat balances out all the buttery and rich flavors in this appetizer, making for the perfect combination. If you're not sure about it, trust me just this once and give it a try. I promise you'll be surprised.
- Salt: Because brie is so creamy and rich, you'll want to add a little salt to draw out the rest of the flavors. I recommend kosher salt or sea salt flakes.
- Garlic Powder: Optional, but I highly recommend it! A little garlic powder adds a bit of complexity to the flavors, taking it from sweet and creamy to complex and decadent. You also don't have to worry about it burning, so it's a great way to add a bit of garlicky flavor without the challenge of fresh garlic.
- Egg: An egg wash over the top of the rolls gives them a beautiful, shiny crust that looks as good as it tastes! The egg wash itself is flavored with the garlic powder. There's no need to add in any water - you'll just be using the egg by itself.
How to Make Baked Brie
1: Make Brown Sugar Mixture
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, and ½ tsp. salt. Thoroughly combine.
2: Prepare Egg Wash
In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg with ½ tsp. garlic powder. Grease the inside of your baking dish with cooking spray.
3: Assemble Crust
Arrange crescent rolls around the inside of the greased baking dish.
4: Add Brie Cheese
Place brie cheese at the center of the rolls.
5: Top with Brown Sugar
Top brie with most of the brown sugar topping. Reserve some for the outside of the pastry.
6: Fold Over Crust
Fold the crescent rolls over top the brie to cover it.
7: Brush with Egg Wash
Brush the pastry with the beaten egg wash. Give it a good coating.
8: Bake and Serve!
Finally, top the baked brie with your remaining brown sugar topping and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve, and enjoy! If desired, drizzle honey over top while serving.
Puff Pastry Recipes
Baked Brie Recipe Tips
- I recommend using thicker, less ripe brie for baked brie recipes. Fluffy, super soft brie will pretty much turn to water when baked! My favorite is fromage d'affinois, which has a rich flavor described as "Pea pod" and a great butter-like consistency, plus a very mild rind.
- Leave the rind on! It will serve as a useful guard against the cheese totally melting out of the pastry crust (yes, I have had this happen, trust me), and it tastes delicious when baked.
- You can use puff pastry sheets instead of crescent rolls! Just unfold and roll out the pastry, then place the cheese in the middle. Cut slices into the pastry so it can fold up over the cheese, then bake!
- You can add your own blend of spices to the brown sugar mix! I like changing things up by adding pumpkin pie spice. Alternatively, you can swap the brown sugar mix out entirely for a jam of your choice. Jam is delicious with brie in crust; it's sort of like a monte cristo sandwich, if you've ever had one. So good!
- You can add even more crunchy flavor by crumbling nuts over the crescent rolls. I like using pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. You can also add them to the brown sugar mix!
Using Sliced Brie
You can also make this recipe with a slice of brie! If your brie is cut from a large wheel, just wrap the wedge in crescent rolls much like you would have wrapped a small wheel.
Storing Leftover Brie en Croute
- Refrigerator: Leftovers can be easily stored in the fridge, where the brie will thicken up again. I recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap before storing for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: I don't recommend freezing brie cheese. It can permanently change the texture, leaving it clumpy and watery when thawed, and it kills the living rind. Even after baking, avoid freezing.
- Reheating: Wrap the crescent roll brie in aluminum foil, then place it in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through. If you're not sure if it's done heating, you can always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temp.
Brie with Crust FAQ
Brie en Croûte or Brie de Croute is a traditionally French recipe for baked brie with crust. You can prepare it in many different ways, but the dish is characterized by wrapping brie in pastry crust with added flavorings like honey, jam, or sugar.
Absolutely, though it can be slightly harder if you're using pre-made pastry dough. I recommend using gluten-free puff pastry and slicing it several times to carefully fold up. Work slowly, as it can shatter easily!
Holiday Appetizers
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Baked Brie in Crescent Rolls
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 oz. crescent rolls
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 8 oz. brie cheese
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, and ½ tsp. salt. Thoroughly combine.½ cup brown sugar,¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper,½ teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg with ½ tsp. garlic powder. Grease the inside of your baking dish with cooking spray.1 egg,½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Arrange crescent rolls around the inside of the greased baking dish.8 oz. crescent rolls
- Place brie cheese at the center of the rolls.8 oz. brie cheese
- Top brie with most of the brown sugar topping. Reserve some for the outside of the pastry.
- Fold the crescent rolls over top the brie to cover it.
- Brush the pastry with the egg wash. Give it a good coating.
- Finally, top the baked brie with your remaining brown sugar topping and bake for 30 minutes. Serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- I recommend using thicker, less ripe brie for baked brie recipes. Fluffy, super soft brie will pretty much turn to water when baked! My favorite is fromage d'affinois, which as a rich flavor described as "Pea pod" and a great butter-like consistency, plus a very mild rind.
- Leave the rind on! It will serve as a useful guard against the cheese totally melting out of the pastry crust, and it tastes delicious baked.
- You can use puff pastry sheets instead of crescent rolls! Just unfold and roll out the pastry, then place the cheese in the middle. Cut slices into the pastry so it can fold up over the cheese, then bake!
- You can add your own blend of spices to the brown sugar mix! I like changing things up by adding pumpkin pie spice. Alternatively, you can swap the brown sugar mix out entirely for a jam of choice.
- You can add even more crunchy flavor by crumbling nuts over the crescent rolls. I like using pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. You can also add them to the brown sugar mix!
Video
Nutrition
Updated 8/26/2024 to include new, helpful information and tips.
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