Brie Baked in Sourdough with Caramelized Pears, Shallots, and Thyme

Name: Brie Baked in Sourdough with Caramelized Pears, Shallots, and Thyme
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 handful Assorted Crackers; 1 whole Brie Cheese; 0.5 tsp Brown Sugar; 1 tbsp Butter; 0.5 tsp Fresh Thyme; 2 whole Pears in Syrup; 1 dash Salt & Pepper; 2 whole Shallot; 0.5 cup Slivered Almonds; 1 whole Sourdough Bread; 0.33 cup White Wine

Appetizer 🧄Snack 🍿 French 🇫🇷 Low-Sodium Vegetarian 🥦Comfort-Food

Brie Baked in Sourdough with Caramelized Pears, Shallots, and Thyme delivers a buttery, creamy center contrasted by gently sweet pears, mellow shallots, and fragrant thyme. Nestled in a crusty loaf and topped with toasted almonds, it balances richness and subtle sweetness for a cozy appetizer or holiday gathering. Serve warm with crackers for a shareable, elegant bite.

Prep20 mins
Cook1 hr
Serves8
DifficultyEasy

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 minute. Add pears and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add white wine, brown sugar, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until the liquid has evaporated and the pears are lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
3

Cut a Brie-sized opening in the top of the sourdough round, stopping within 1/2 inch of the bottom. Cut the removed bread into pieces for serving and set aside.
4

Score the Brie around the edge (halfway down the wheel) with a paring knife to a depth of 1/4 inch. Cut the Brie in half horizontally by looping an 18-inch piece of very thin string or unflavored dental floss around the scored line and pulling the ends in opposite directions.
5

Place the bottom half of the Brie, cut-side up, into the sourdough loaf. Top with 1/2 of the pear mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 of the slivered almonds. Place the remaining Brie half on top, spread with the remaining 1/2 of the pear mixture, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 of the slivered almonds. Place on a baking sheet.
6

Bake in the preheated oven until soft and gooey, about 45 minutes. Serve with the reserved sourdough bread and crackers.