Baked Brie with Balsamic Caramelized Onions Recipe
This elegant Baked Brie with Balsamic Caramelized Onions is a perfect appetizer featuring a wheel of creamy brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry, topped with sweet and tangy caramelized onions infused with balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme. A delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser for any party or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ medium onions, thinly sliced into semi-circles (about 2 ½ cups)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs for garnish
Baked Brie
- 1 (8 ounce) wheel brie cheese, cold
- 1 sheet prepared puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
- Flour, for rolling
- 1 whisked egg, for egg wash
- Crackers, sliced baguette, apples or pears, for serving
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a deep golden brown and caramelize, about 20 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in 1 teaspoon of brown sugar followed by 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Allow the mixture to bubble and reduce, stirring frequently until the onions become jam-like and deeply browned, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves, then remove from heat and let cool to yield roughly ½ cup of caramelized onions.
- Prepare Puff Pastry and Brie: Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to about ⅛-inch thickness, slightly larger than the brie wheel. Trim excess pastry if necessary. Place the cold brie in the center of the pastry sheet, then spoon the cooled balsamic caramelized onions over the top.
- Wrap the Brie: Fold the puff pastry over the brie and onions to enclose them completely, creating pleats to seal the edges neatly. Place the wrapped brie on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Apply Egg Wash and Chill: Gently brush the puff pastry with whisked egg wash without pooling underneath. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight to chill and set.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chilled wrapped brie on the baking sheet for 35-40 minutes or until the puff pastry is deeply golden and puffed.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baked brie from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes to prevent excessive oozing. Garnish with extra thyme sprigs and serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh fruit like apples or pears.
Notes
- Allowing the wrapped brie to chill before baking helps the pastry puff up nicely and hold its shape.
- Use cold brie to make wrapping easier and cleaner.
- If you don’t have fresh thyme, dried thyme can be used, though fresh offers better flavor.
- The caramelized onions can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve immediately after resting to enjoy the gooey, melted cheese at its best.
- For a crispier crust, you may optionally brush a second layer of egg wash before baking.
Keywords: baked brie, caramelized onions, puff pastry, appetizer, party food, cheese appetizer, balsamic onions, thyme, elegant snack
