Our baked camembert toppings post looks at the tastiest toppings that can be added to this baked and deliciously molten cheese!
Baked camembert with toppings, a thing of great beauty, or at least it is if you love cheese as much as I do! This molten, cheesy loveliness, makes a great sharing starter for four or a simple rustic dinner for two.
What I love about this dish is how quickly it can be cooked and on the table. It takes minutes to prepare and only 20 minutes to cook!
This is one of those dishes that is easily sized up or down. Serving a larger group of people, simply cook one or two extra rounds of cheese!
There is something really very comforting about dipping crusty bread into a hot, molten cheese. This really is the perfect comfort food for this time of year.
Even better when you wash it down with a glass of wine. Red wine would be my choice here, followed very closely by a glass of port!
What is camembert cheese?
Camembert cheese is a soft, smooth textured cheese with a bloom rind, made from cows milk. It originates from Normandy in France.
Similar in texture to brie, but whereas brie has a creamier, more refined flavour and texture due to its higher fat content; camembert has a more rustic, earthy flavour.
It’s worth noting that you can also bake brie using this same method!
Can I bake camembert in its wooden box?
There is no need for fancy equipment, camembert can be baked in the wooden box that it comes in. However, ensure that you remove all the plastic wrapping from the cheese first.
You can also buy ceramic dishes for baking your camembert in, I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift. Again just remove any packaging from the cheese, place it in the dish and pop it into the oven.
How to bake camembert?
Baking this cheese is a lot easier to than you might first think. Remove the plastic packaging, pop it back into the wooden box, make a couple of slits in the top and add your flavourings. Then pop it into the oven to bake for 20-30 minutes.
Cutting the slits in the top allows any steam to escape. It is through these slits that you can also flavour your cheese with a variety of flavour toppings!
How to check that the cheese is cooked?
The best way to check that the camembert is baked, it to lightly press the top of the cheese. If it is cooked it will be feel fluid to the touch.
You want to take it out at this point while the cheese is gooey. Cook it any longer and the cheese will overcook and start to harden up again!
Baked camembert topping ideas:
We have kept it simple with our baked camembert and have used a combination of fresh thyme, dried cranberries, flaked almonds and a splash of Cointreau to add that little bit of extra luxury in the flavour stakes!
Baked camembert topping ideas:
- Herbs: thyme; rosemary
- Vegetable flavouring: garlic; caramelised onion, chilli flakes
- Fruit flavouring: fresh figs; dried cranberries; raisins
- Jams & chutneys: onion jam; chilli jam; cranberry chutney; spiced apple chutney; fig jam; cranberry jelly
- Oils: olive oil; truffle oil; chilli oil
- Sweet: runny honey
- Alcohol: brandy; apple brandy; white wine
Top tip! One word of caution however, don’t add too many flavours otherwise you will overpower the cheese. Remember, the cheese is the hero of this dish! The other flavours are there to enhance it, not kill it!
What to serve with baked camembert?
I like to keep things simple and serve crusty bread with this molten cheese. Baguette, ciabatta and sourdough all work well with this dish.
Alongside I also like to include some pickles, with pickled silverskin onions and cornichons being my particular favourites.
In terms of fruit and vegetables I also enjoy dipping sticks of celery and slices of sharp green apple, fresh figs and grapes into this cheese.
Runny honey to drizzle over the top is delicious, cheese and honey are a beautiful flavour pairing!
Can I cook this recipe in advance?
Baked camembert is one of those dishes that needs to be cooked, served and enjoyed immediately. If you cook it in advance the cheese will only harden again and you risk overcooking the cheese if you try to melt it again!
Pin the recipe:
Additional recipe suggestions:
If you enjoyed this recipe then why not try some of our other cheesy, comfort food dishes. These dishes are easily sized up or down so can be served as a starter or a main course:
Why not try our Spiced Almonds, a great accompaniment to any cheese board.
Baked Camembert
Ingredients
- 1 whole camembert cheese
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 15 g sliced almonds
- 30 g dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp Cointreau
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°CFan/200°C.
- Remove the waxed wrapping from the Camembert cheese and place the cheese back into the wooden container.
- Using a sharp knife, score the top of the cheese in a criss cross pattern to allow any steam to escape whilst the cheese while baking.
- Add the thyme sprigs, sliced almonds and dried cranberries to the top, pushing the toppings into the cheese through the sliced top.
- Gently pour the Cointreau over the top, slowly to allow it to absorb into the cheese.
- Place the cheese in its wooden packaging onto a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, check the top with a knife, you want it to be soft and gooey. If not, allow an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the cheese from the oven, place on a cheeseboard and serve with some crusty bread, biscuits and fresh fruits.
Notes
- Herbs: thyme; rosemary
- Vegetable flavouring: garlic; caramelised onion, chilli flakes
- Fruit flavouring: fresh figs; dried cranberries; raisins
- Jams & chutneys: onion jam; chilli jam; cranberry chutney; spiced apple chutney; fig jam; cranberry jelly
- Oils: olive oil; truffle oil; chilli oil
- Sweet: runny honey
- Alcohol: brandy; apple brandy; white wine
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
Janet
Tuesday 14th of December 2021
Such an easy recipe, we loved it.
Lesley
Monday 20th of December 2021
Thank you Janet, I'm glad you enjoyed them.