Baked Brie with Apple Butter, Butternut Squash, and Thyme: a stunning, simple, and insanely delicious holiday appetizer that will WOW your crowd!

There’s one thing that stumped me for years about Kyle and it about tore me apart when he first let the cat out of the bag. He told me forever ago, probably on around a holiday appetizer table or maybe at a wedding, that he didn’t like brie. I mean, whaaaat? 

How does one NOT LIKE BRIE?

It wasn’t long before, after my incessant pestering questions and continuous offers at every event that involved brie, that I figured out he doesn’t like the rind on brie. Ah ha! Well that makes sense since nobody really loves the brie rind, right?

I myself nearly gave my French family all heart attacks when they served a gorgeous pie-shaped piece of brie after dinner one night and I scooped out the cheese from between the rind.

The good thing is, I’ve solved Kyle’s brie issue with this baked brie with apple butter, butternut, and thyme.

That’s right. I fancied-up a wheel of brie for a work party a few weeks ago for the sake of making a gluten-free and low carb snack for my co-workers’ food preferences. Call me generous, if you must but really, I can’t get enough baked brie so this was totally for me too!

How to Make Baked Brie

First, I sliced off the top rind of the brie wheel and put it back in its wooden container.

Then I loaded the top of brie up with a layer of apple butter and some maple roasted butternut squash that I quickly sauteed in some brown butter and fresh thyme. Then I baked the brie until the cheese was melted and dip-able.

And let me tell you, this baked brie was a huge freaking hit at that party!

Because apple butter, baked brie, butternut squash, brown butter, and thyme?  Only the best thing to hit my lips in weeks. This stuff is ahhhmazing!

The two of us unabashedly tore through nearly 16oz of brie and the toppings with some in an afternoon so if you’re thinking about making this baked brie recipe for a Thanksgiving crowd – please invite me over! – you may want to consider doubling this recipe. 

This baked brie with apple butter, butternut squash, and thyme will be gone before you can run to the kitchen for another stiff drink that might be helping you through the holiday (just sayin’). Promise.

The only thing that could improve this baked brie would be some homemade wheat thins for dipping. Your call though. (Thank me later!)

More Fall and Brie Appetizers

If you’re putting together an appetizer table for a fall get together, you’ll also love these bacon wrapped dates that are stuffed with cranberry blue cheese, this hot crab dip, and these crazy delicious cheddar swirl buns. 

And if you’re really into brie, I also love making this baked brie wrapped in puff pastry with fig jam and honey and these brie and caramelized onion tartlets. 

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Baked Brie with Apple Butter, Butternut Squash, and Thyme

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Prep Time: 1 hour

Bake Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes

Baked brie with apple butter butternut squash and thyme is one of those recipes that will make you look like a superstar entertainer. It's incredibly easy to make (the squash can be roasted days ahead of time). Baked and served in the brie's wood container makes for a rustic and fun presentation of this incredibly delcious appetizer.

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Ingredients

• 1 (13 to 16oz) wheel brie, preferably sold in a sturdy paper or wood container
• 1 recipe maple roasted butternut squash or 2 cups diced butternut squash, roasted
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp apple butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Unwrap the brie and lay the cheese on a flat surface. Discard the wrapper but set the bottom part of the container aside.
2. Using a serrated knife, slice the brie rind off the top of the brie, taking care not to cut off too much of the cheese with the rind. Place brie wheel back into the bottom part of the container and set the container on a piece of parchment, then set everything on a baking sheet or in a glass or aluminum (disposable) pie plate. At this point, you can let the brie sit at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before baking - this will reduce the baking time so plan accordingly.
3. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat, swirling occasionally until brown bits start to form on the bottom of the pan. Once the butter turns very slightly golden brown, add the squash and thyme (be careful - the thyme may spit at you in the pan). Toss to coat and lightly saute for just a minute or two. Spread the apple butter over the brie, top with the squash, thyme, and brown butter.
4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the brie is melted and the squash has started to sink into the brie. Slide the brie (still in the bottom container) using the parchment paper to a serving platter. Serve immediately with crackers, toasted bread, sliced salami, or sliced soprassata (or all of the above). Wrap any leftover cheese (hah!) tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Notes

Smells Like Home original inspired by Pink Parsley

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