An Easy Baked Brie Charcuterie Board with Honey & Almonds

Picture this: a beautifully warm, gooey wheel of brie, drizzled with golden honey and toasted almonds, sitting right in the middle of a board loaded with all your favorite bites. It’s the kind of show-stopping appetizer that looks like you spent hours, but honestly, it comes together in a snap. Is there anything better than an appetizer that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve? This Baked Brie Charcuterie Board with Honey & Almonds is that magical centerpiece your holiday table has been waiting for.

Top Reasons To Make It

• It’s incredibly simple. With just a few minutes of active prep, you get a dish that feels gourmet.
• It’s a total crowd-pleaser. The combination of creamy, salty cheese with sweet honey and crunchy almonds is a flavor trio everyone loves.
• It’s endlessly adaptable. You can tailor the board around the brie with whatever crackers, fruits, and nibbles you have on hand.
• It’s the ultimate party food. It encourages gathering, sharing, and dipping—everything a great holiday appetizer should be.

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) wheel of brie cheese: The creamy, melty star of the show.
• 3 tablespoons honey: For that perfect, natural sweetness.
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted: Adds a wonderful nutty crunch.
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves: Brings a subtle, earthy aroma.
• 1 baguette, sliced and lightly toasted: The perfect sturdy vehicle for all that cheese.
• Assorted crackers: For variety and different textures.
• Fresh fruit like apple slices, pear slices, and grapes: Provides a fresh, sweet contrast.
• Dried fruits like apricots or figs: For a chewy, concentrated sweetness.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the wheel of brie on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a small, oven-safe dish. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can carefully slice the top rind off the brie, but it’s not necessary—it’s perfectly edible!
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and gooey to the touch. You’ll see it start to bulge a little in the center when it’s ready.
4. While the brie bakes, toast your sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the pan often, until they’re golden and fragrant. Watch them closely so they don’t burn!
5. Carefully transfer the warm brie to the center of your serving board or platter.
6. Immediately drizzle the honey over the top of the warm brie, letting it pool around the sides.
7. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and fresh thyme over the honey.
8. Arrange the toasted baguette slices, crackers, and fruits around the brie on the board. Serve immediately while everything is warm and delicious.

Serving Suggestions For Your Charcuterie Board

This is where you can get creative and clean out the pantry! Think about a mix of textures and flavors. Beyond the basics, consider adding some marinated olives for a briny kick, a handful of candied pecans for extra sweetness, or even some dark chocolate chunks. For a real festive holiday spread, add some smoked turkey slices and cornichons. The goal is to have a little something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is a fantastic template. Don’t have almonds? Try pecans or walnuts. Not a honey fan? A good maple syrup works beautifully. For a festive cranberry twist, spoon a layer of whole-berry cranberry sauce over the brie before baking. If you need to keep things nut-free, simply leave them out and add some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch instead. Honestly, the possibilities are pretty much endless.

Tips For Success With Your Baked Brie

• Let the brie come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking. This helps it heat through evenly without needing to stay in the oven so long that the outside gets too hot.
• Use a sharp knife to score the top rind in a crosshatch pattern if you want the toppings to really seep into the cheese. A little trick from my diner days.
• Don’t skip toasting the nuts! It only takes a minute, but it unlocks so, so much more flavor.
• Have your board and all your accompaniments ready to go before the brie comes out of the oven. This dish is best served immediately while it’s gloriously warm and oozy.
• And if a little cheese oozes out onto the pan? Consider it the chef’s treat.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers are a rare thing, but if you have any, let the baked brie cool completely before covering it tightly and storing it in the fridge for up to 2 days. The baked cheese will solidify again. To reheat, place it on a parchment-lined pan and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until gooey. The board elements like crackers and bread are best stored separately to stay crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this ahead of time? You can prep all the components ahead! Toast the nuts, slice the fruit and baguette, and arrange everything on the board. Keep it all covered at room temperature, then just pop the cold brie in the oven when your guests arrive.
• Should I remove the rind on the brie? You don’t have to! It’s completely edible and helps hold the cheese together. But if you prefer to remove the top rind so the toppings directly touch the cheese, feel free.
• What are some other easy Thanksgiving appetizers? This baked brie board is a winner, but stuffed mushrooms, a simple fall salad, or a warm spinach and artichoke dip are also fantastic Thanksgiving party food options.
• Can I use a different cheese? For this warm, melty application, brie or camembert work best. A harder cheese won’t provide the same gooey, dip-able experience.