Does it get much better than melty cheese wrapping around crusty bread? We think not! An elegant appetizer for the holiday season, this Baked Camembert recipe is a keeper. Indulge in the rich and creamy delight of Baked Camembert with Honey, Chilli and Garlic. This easy recipe combines the smoothness of melted cheese with a harmonious balance of sweet and spicy flavours, creating a festive dish that will leave your taste buds craving for more...
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Why Make Baked Camembert?
- Baked Camembert is a fantastic appetizer that is guaranteed to impress guests and elevate any gathering or dinner party.
- Cheese lovers rejoice! This recipe celebrates the creamy and indulgent nature of Camembert cheese, making it a must-try for all cheese enthusiasts.
- It's perfect for cheese boards! Baked Camembert is a star attraction on a cheese platter, offering a warm and gooey option.
- One of our favorite dishes to serve with freshly baked bread, especially Sourdough Ciabatta and Sourdough Baguettes!
- This easy appetizer recipe requires minimal effort and ingredients. With just a few simple steps, you can have a mouthwatering Baked Camembert ready to be enjoyed in no time.
- A sharing dish to enjoy with family and friends - there is something very special about sharing food!
What is Camembert Cheese?
Camembert cheese is a delicious soft cheese made from cow's milk. Traditionally produced in the Normandy region of France, it is named after the village of Camembert where it originated. The cheese is formed into a characteristic wheel shape and is known for its distinctive edible rind.
This creamy and indulgent cheese has a rich, buttery flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. When fully ripened, the interior of the Camembert becomes soft and gooey, making it an excellent choice for melting. The white rind adds a subtle earthy note to the cheese and enhances its overall appeal. Whether enjoyed spread on crusty bread, or used as a luscious topping for various dishes, Camembert's unique flavour and texture make it a true delight for cheese connoisseurs and a versatile ingredient in the culinary world.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Baked Camembert with Honey, Chilli and Garlic is one of our favourite ways to flavour this delicious French cheese. Simple ingredients that you can get in almost any supermarket make an outstanding appetizer. Here is what you will need:
- a wheel of camembert: you will need a whole wheel to make baked cheese. The melty middle needs to be fully encased by the rind. We used 250 g camembert wheel.
- honey: clear runny honey. It may be substituted with maple syrup.
- olive oil: can be replaced with avocado or cold-pressed rapeseed oil.
- garlic: use fresh garlic cloves that are pungent and aromatic.
- salt: we absolutely adore Maldon Sea Salt flakes.
- chili flakes: also known as red pepper flakes.
Topping Variations
There are a bunch of other ways to dress your Baked Camembert. Instead of chilli honey drizzle, you may consider:
- sticking some fresh rosemary or fresh thyme springs alongside sliced garlic into the slits on the top of the cheese wheel.
- baking the camembert, then drizzling the top with truffle oil and honey mixture.
- scattering the top of honey-baked camembert with crispy bacon pieces - it's a great addition!
Recipe Video
Method
Preheat the oven to 170°C Fan.
Take the Camembert out of its wooden box and plastic packaging. Then place the cheese back into the wooden box. You may choose to place it into a small round ovenproof dish (a.k.a. Camembert baker) instead or make a small pan out of aluminum foil if your cheese didn't come with a wooden box.
Place the box with the cheese on a baking tray to catch any drops of melty cheese in case it bubbles over during cooking.
Using a sharp knife, score the top of the camembert in a crosshatch pattern.
In a small bowl, mix the honey, olive oil, chilli and garlic. Season with salt and a little bit of black pepper.
Drizzle honey mixture on top of the scored cheese. Place it in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
***NOTE: Cooking time will depend on the size of your camembert and how ripe it is. Please refer to the packaging instructions if you are using Baking Camembert.
Once baked, drizzle the top rind of the cheese with a little olive oil and serve immediately. The cheese will start to harden as it cools, so you want to take it straight to the table.
How Many Does Baked Camembert Serve?
According to the packet, our 250g wheel of camembert contains 8 portions! Well, surely that cannot be right! At least not here, at Somebody Feed Seb! We feel that 250g should serve 4-5 people as an appetizer, but it highly depends on what you're serving your camembert with.
Top Tips and Tricks
If this is the first time you are making this baked camembert recipe, you may benefit from a few tips to help you achieve ultimate success.
- If your camembert didn't come in a cardboard box (sometimes camembert is sold in plastic or paper wrapping) and you don't have a camembert baker (small baking dish), you can use aluminium foil to shape a dish-like structure (like a small pan) to place the cheese in.
- Choose the right Camembert: Opt for a ripe and high-quality Camembert cheese for the best results. Look for a cheese that is soft to the touch and slightly bulging at the edges, indicating that it's perfectly ripe and ready for baking.
- Score the cheese: Before baking, gently score the top of the Camembert with a sharp knife. This helps the heat to penetrate the cheese evenly, ensuring that it melts uniformly throughout.
- If you have a small wheel of cheese (known as Petit Camembert, which typically comes in 125-150g wheels), bake it 10-15 minutes less.
- To avoid any unwanted mess, place the camembert on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to catch any drips.
- Do not overbake the camembert: it will turn hard and rubbery. The best baked camembert should be creamy and flowing, dripping off the bread when it's dipped into it.
Recipe FAQs
Brie and Camembert are both soft, creamy French cheeses with similarities in texture and flavour. However, there are a few notable differences between them. The main difference is that Camembert typically has a stronger and more pronounced flavour compared to Brie, which is milder and buttery. Additionally, Camembert is made using raw cow's milk, while Brie can be made from either raw or pasteurized milk. Lastly, Camembert tends to have a slightly thicker and more robust white rind compared to Brie.
Yes, you can eat the rind of baked Camembert. The rind is edible and adds a unique texture and flavour to the overall experience of enjoying the cheese. The rind becomes softer and more palatable after baking, and many people find it delicious when combined with melted cheese. However, personal preferences may vary, so feel free to remove the rind if you prefer.
Yes, but for best results take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving to bring it to room temperature.
There are four reasons I can think of for rubbery camembert.
1. Overbaking: One common cause is overbaking the Camembert. Exposing it to high heat for too long can cause the cheese to become rubbery instead of achieving the desired creamy texture. Be sure to follow the recommended baking time and temperature for the specific recipe or adjust accordingly based on your oven's performance.
2. Low-quality Camembert: The quality and type of Camembert you use can also affect the texture. Using a low-quality or improperly ripened cheese may result in a rubbery consistency. It's essential to choose a ripe, high-quality creamy cheese with a soft texture to achieve the desired gooeyness when baked.
3. Insufficient heat distribution: Uneven heat distribution can cause the cheese to melt unevenly, resulting in a rubbery texture. Ensure that your oven is properly preheated and that the Camembert is positioned in the centre, allowing for even heat circulation around the cheese.
4. Your camembert has cooled down too much after leaving the oven: it tends to harden and turn slightly rubbery after about 15 minutes at room temperature.
What To Serve Baked Camembert With?
When serving baked Camembert, enjoy it with crusty bread, such as baguette slices or garlic bread (hint: Garlic Butter Sourdough Focaccia or Sourdough Focaccia With Grapes and Rosemary), to complement the gooey cheese. Enhance the flavour with cranberry sauce or fruit jam for a touch of sweetness, and fresh fruit like pear slices for a refreshing element.
Pair it with a glass of white wine to elevate the experience further. These accompaniments create a perfect balance of textures and flavours to savour alongside the melted Camembert.
Other Delicious Appetizers
Baked Camembert With Honey, Chilli and Garlic
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g wheel of camembert
- 1 teaspoon clear honey
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170°C Fan.
- Take the Camembert out of its wooden box and plastic packaging. Then place the cheese back into the wooden box. You may choose to place it into a small round ovenproof dish (a.k.a. Camembert baker) instead or make a small pan out of aluminum foil,m if your cheese didn't come with a wooden box. Place the box with the cheese on a baking tray to catch any drops of melty cheese in case it bubbles over during cooking.
- Using a sharp knife, score the top of the camembert in a crosshatch pattern.
- In a small bowl, mix the honey, olive oil, chilli and garlic. Season with salt and a little bit of black pepper.
- Drizzle honey mixture on top of the scored cheese. Place it in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
- ***NOTE: Cooking time will depend on the size of your camembert and how ripe it is. Please refer to the packaging instructions if you are using Baking Camembert.
- Once baked, drizzle the top rind of the cheese with a little olive oil and serve immediately. The cheese will start to harden as it cools, so you want to take it straight to the table.
Video
Nutrition
Lauren says
I love camembert cheese. The addition of honey and chili flakes was so good - perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Ieva Greber says
Thanks, Lauren!
Gianne says
The combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors was incredible. It's the perfect appetizer for any gathering.
Ieva Greber says
Thanks, Gianne!
Lima Ekram says
Love the combination of savory garlic, sweet honey and heat in this recipe! Cant wait to try it the next time I have friends over!
Patricia says
Love this! It's definitely a nice twist to a traditional baked brie recipe - the combo of honey & chili is perfect!
Tara says
Such an elegant and fantastic appetizer! I love those flavors and how easily it all comes together.