If you love a warm, gooey cheese appetizer that instantly upgrades any gathering, you are going to adore this Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe. It’s comfort food at its best—a creamy wheel of brie nestled inside a crusty sourdough loaf, infused with fragrant garlic butter and fresh herbs, then baked until irresistibly melty. Every bite combines crisp, buttery bread with luxurious cheese that’s perfect for dipping, sharing, and savoring. This is a show-stopping dish that’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests or cozy up your own snack time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients come together to create a dish bursting with flavor, texture, and a touch of elegance. Each component plays a key role: from the crusty sourdough that forms the perfect edible bowl to the aromatic herbs that elevate the garlicky butter coating the brie.
- Sourdough bread loaf (8-inch round): Provides a sturdy, crusty base perfect for hollowing out and serving melted cheese.
- 8-ounce wheel of brie cheese: The star of the dish, offering a creamy, melting center that’s rich and mild.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, melted): Absorbs garlic and herbs beautifully and keeps the bread moist and flavorful.
- Minced garlic (3 cloves): Adds a pungent, savory punch that enhances the butter and cheese.
- Chopped fresh parsley (1 tablespoon): Brings freshness and a pop of green color for visual and flavor appeal.
- Fresh thyme leaves (1 teaspoon): Introduces an earthy herbal note that pairs wonderfully with the garlic.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Amplifies all the flavors without overpowering the cheese.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat to balance the richness of the butter and brie.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Used to lightly coat the bread cubes for toasty, golden crunch.
- Honey (1 tablespoon, optional): A drizzle of sweetness that beautifully contrasts the savory baked brie if you want to explore a hint of complexity.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Bread Bowl
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—this moderate temperature will melt the brie perfectly without burning the bread. Next, slice off the top of your sourdough loaf and carefully hollow out the middle, leaving about a 1-inch thick shell all around to hold the cheese. Don’t toss that bread you remove! Cut it into bite-size cubes that will be toasted later for dipping. This stage is all about setting the foundation, literally, for a wonderful dipping experience.
Step 2: Assemble the Brie and Garlic Butter
Place the whole wheel of brie snugly inside the hollowed-out bread bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. This fragrant mixture is the heart of your Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe, infusing every bite with deep, savory notes. Generously brush the inside edges of the bread bowl and the top of the brie with your garlic butter, making sure every nook is flavored to perfection.
Step 3: Prepare the Bread Cubes for Baking
Lightly toss the bread cubes with olive oil to ensure they crisp up nicely in the oven without drying out. Arrange these cubes around the bread bowl on a baking sheet. This way, everything bakes together, and the cubes will be perfectly crunchy and ready for dipping at the same time the brie turns molten and irresistible.
Step 4: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the brie is luxuriously melted and gooey inside, and the bread cubes are golden and toasted. Watch closely toward the end—there is nothing quite like that moment when the cheese reaches the perfect ooze stage, ready for you to drizzle honey over if you’re feeling adventurous.
Step 5: Final Touches and Serving
Once out of the oven, consider sprinkling some extra fresh herbs or crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat. For those who love a touch of sweetness, drizzle the melted brie with that optional honey right before serving. Use the toasted bread cubes for dipping and sharing this delectably rich combination. This is where the magic happens—melting and dipping, sharing smiles around the table.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme adds a burst of color and freshness just before serving. Crushed red pepper flakes also work beautifully if you want to add a spicy surprise. For a slightly sweet touch, a honey drizzle creates a stunning flavor contrast that elevates each bite.
Side Dishes
Pair this baked brie with a crisp, green salad to balance the richness, or offer a variety of cured meats and fresh fruit for a perfect party spread. Grapes, apple slices, and figs all complement the creamy cheese beautifully, inviting guests to create their own flavor combos.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, serve the entire bread bowl on a rustic wooden board surrounded by the toasted bread cubes, fresh fruit, and small bowls of nuts or olives. For a festive occasion, you might carve the bread into smaller individual bowls for personal servings, turning this hearty appetizer into an elegant treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and you probably will!), wrap the bread bowl tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated and aim to enjoy within 2 days for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
While freezing the baked brie in the bread bowl isn’t ideal because the bread can become soggy, you can freeze leftover baked brie separately. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, place the wrapped bread bowl in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is warm and soft again. Avoid microwaves as they can make the bread chewy or soggy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread for the bread bowl?
Absolutely! While sourdough is ideal for its sturdy crust and tangy flavor, you can use any round, crusty bread like a boule or a rustic white loaf. Just make sure it has a firm crust to hold the cheese well.
Is it possible to prepare this recipe gluten-free?
If you’re gluten-free, you can try using a gluten-free bread loaf as your bowl. The key is to find one that’s sturdy and thick enough to hold the melted brie without falling apart.
Can I add other toppings or flavors to the garlic butter?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment by mixing in rosemary, sage, or even a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes into your garlic butter for an extra flavor kick. Scoring the brie rind can also help the flavors penetrate deeper.
How long will this dish stay good after baking?
For the best taste and texture, enjoy your Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl within the same day it’s baked. If stored properly, leftovers can be eaten within 2 days, but it tastes best fresh!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
This recipe is naturally vegetarian as it focuses on cheese and bread. Just make sure your butter and any honey used fit your dietary preferences, as some vegetarians avoid honey.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe combines simple ingredients into a comfort-filled, elegant dish guaranteed to delight friends and family. It’s easy to prepare, fun to serve, and packed with layers of flavor and texture that make every bite a celebration. Next time you want to wow your guests or indulge yourself, this recipe will be your go-to delicious crowd-pleaser.
Print
Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Garlic Butter Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl is a warm, gooey appetizer perfect for entertaining. Fresh sourdough bread is hollowed out to create a bowl that holds a wheel of creamy brie cheese, infused with a garlic butter mixture and baked until melted. Served with toasted bread cubes for dipping, this recipe offers rich, savory flavors enhanced by fresh herbs and an optional drizzle of honey.
Ingredients
Bread Bowl
- 1 round sourdough bread loaf (about 8 inches wide)
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 (8 ounce) wheel brie cheese
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toasted Bread Cubes
- Cut-out sourdough bread cubes from hollowing the loaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bread bowl and brie.
- Prepare Bread Bowl: Slice the top off the sourdough loaf and carefully hollow out the center, leaving about a 1-inch thick shell to form a sturdy bowl. Set aside the removed bread for toasting.
- Insert Brie: Place the entire brie wheel inside the hollowed-out bread bowl, ensuring it fits snugly.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to blend the flavors.
- Apply Garlic Butter: Brush the inside edges of the bread bowl and the top surface of the brie generously with the garlic butter mixture to infuse flavor during baking.
- Prepare Bread Cubes: Toss the reserved bread cubes with olive oil to lightly coat, then arrange them around the bread bowl on a baking sheet for toasting.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the brie is melted and gooey and the bread cubes are toasted and golden.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven and, if desired, drizzle honey over the melted brie for a touch of sweetness. Serve immediately, using the toasted bread cubes to dip into the warm, flavorful cheese.
Notes
- Score the top rind of the brie in a crisscross pattern to help the garlic butter seep deeper into the cheese.
- For added heat, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking.
- Leftovers can be wrapped tightly and reheated in the oven until warm and melty.
