This savory-sweet Brown Butter Pear & Fig Baked Brie is elegant, comforting, and sure to be the hit of any holiday or cold weather party! Figs, caramelized pears, pecans, and a little sweetness bring out the best in your favorite soft cheese.
Would you believe if I told you I’ve never been a big brie fan? By looking at this yummy melted cheese brie appetizer is enough to change my mind. It looks so fancy, but is actually incredibly easy to make!
I know, I know. It’s probably not surprising, considering my thumbs down track record with goat cheese and those repulsive moldy blue crumbles.
For the record, people’s taste buds do change.
While brie cheese might still not rank up there with cheddar, Havarti, or Manchego…if I eat it smeared on crusty bread, smothered in autumn goodness like this, my feelings are bound to soften. Just a bit.
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Why you’ll love Brown Butter Fig Brie with Pears
- Easy! Just a little simmering is all that stands in your way. Plus, you can prep in advance and bake it when you’re ready to eat.
- Quick! This appetizer is ready in less time than it takes a nice bottle of wine to chill.
- A year-round app! Fresh figs out of season? Grab some fig jam instead.
- Perfect for the holidays! Pears, figs, and a touch of bourbon will have you smiling that cooler weather smile with just one bite.
This is one of the first recipe videos I ever shot, way back in 2016, I think? I distinctly recall having a surprise guest watch from behind the scenes – my grandfather.
He spent the few hours he was visiting cracking jokes about how “professional” my equipment looked, and how it seemed like I “knew what I was doing.” (I get my humor from him, clearly.)
It was a nice afternoon. Grandpa kept me company while I cooked up a compote-like topping with the last of the season’s fresh figs, a farmer’s market pear, pecans for crunch, and (actually accidental) brown butter.
He did decide to leave before the finished product came out of the oven though… and before I could playfully offer him the first bite. One that he would have heartily shunned, since he had a hatred for cheese since childhood, when he found out my Nana (his mother) was sneaking it into her meatballs. Every kind of cheese.
Hate cheese. That’s a language I can’t even comprehend.
To be fair, I wasn’t a fan of figs before my mid-thirties. Now, it’s one of the first things I grab on any charcuterie board. If you’re a fig lover and like to mix them with savory flavors, you’ve gotta try this Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken next!
Ingredients
- Brie cheese – get the wheel!
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh figs – Mission or Brown Turkey are my faves! If figs are out of season, omit them from the recipe and spread some fig jam over the brie before topping with the buttery pears.
- Bartlett pear – any kind of pears work for this, actually, I used Bartlett for color contrast.
- Brown sugar – light or dark, your choice.
- Vanilla extract – you could also sub in some liquor here, if you want! A little bourbon or rum would be lovely.
- Chopped pecans
- Baguette slices and/or crackers – for serving
For exact ingredient measurements and recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
How to make Baked Brie with Figs and Pears
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Place the brie round (don’t peel the rind!) in a 6-Inch cast iron skillet or brie baker. Place on a baking sheet and set aside.
- Brown the butter. Set a 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt. Gently swirl the butter as it goes through two stages – popping & crackling as the water boils out, and the browning of the butter solids. As the solids begin to brown, use a spoon to peek through the foam for the light brown flecks inside – it will start to smell nutty and delicious. The whole process from solid stick to brown butter will take about 10 minutes.
- Add the fruit. Quickly add figs, chopped pear, and brown sugar. Stir until sugar is melted and well combined. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add vanilla and pecans. Stir until well coated, then remove from heat.
- Bake. Pour the mixture over the brie. Bake for 10-15 minutes until brie is warm and softened.
- Serve! Top this baby with a sprig of fresh rosemary, for color, if you’d like. Then serve it up with toasted baguette slices, breadsticks, crackers, or more fresh fruit, like pear or apple slices.
Appetizer Pairings
Aside from a fully-loaded Holiday Charcuterie Board? More cheese, obviously. Cheese Croquettes, Caprese Skewers, and Baked Ricotta Dip are lovely beside this melty goodness on any holiday table. For something a bit more savory, serve this with an Apple Sausage Tart or Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs.
Wine Pairings
The combo of creamy Brie and earthy figs make for a versatile canvas for a variety of wines – and you don’t have to settle for classic white wines with this app, either!
- Chardonnay – a lightly oaked or unoaked varietal that won’t overpower the delicate taste of the figs and pears.
- Sauvignon Blanc – bright and acidic, a nice Sauv cuts through the richness of the brie.
- Riesling – look for an off-dry bottle, slightly sweet.
- Champagne or Prosecco – the bubbles help cleanse your palate!
- Pinot Noir – something light- to medium-body, with red fruits, to complement the flavors of the brie.
- Merlot – smooth and fruity, look for varietals with notes of plum and blackberry.
HUNGRY FOR MORE CHEESE APPETIZER RECIPES?
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Brown Butter Pear & Fig Baked Brie
Ingredients
- 1 wheel brie cheese
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 3 large fresh figs quartered
- 1 pear chopped
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pecans
- Baguette slices and/or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place unwrapped brie round in a 5-inch cast iron skillet or brie baker. Place on a baking sheet and set aside.
- Set a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt. Gently swirl the butter as it goes through two stages – popping & crackling as the water boils out, and the browning of the butter solids. As the solids begin to brown, use a spoon to peek through the foam for the light brown flecks inside – it will start to smell nutty and delicious. The whole process from solid stick to brown butter will take about 10 minutes.
- Quickly add figs, chopped pear, and brown sugar. Stir until sugar is melted and well combined. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add vanilla and pecans. Stir until well coated, then remove from heat.
- Pour mixture over the brie. Bake for 10-15 minutes until brie is warm and softened. Serve with baguette slices and/or crackers.
Video
Nutrition
This post was originally published on November 11, 2016. It was updated with additional information on October 15, 2024
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
What a stunning appetizer! I can’t wait to try it!
Carolyn Ingram says
This looks amazing! I have to try this recipe soon!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
This looks seriously amazing. I’m going to be watching the markets for fresh figs so that I can make this asap!
renee says
Question: Can I use the semi-dried figs from Sunmaid?