Baked Brie with Caramelized Pears, Shallots and Thyme

Caramelized shallots and pears top this elegant baked Brie with caramelized pears, shallots, and thyme recipe, nestled within a sourdough bread loaf.

Baked Brie with Caramelized Pears, Shallots and Thyme

Course: Appetizers and snacksCuisine: European
Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

1

minute
Total Time

1

minute
Servings

8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon — unsalted butter

  • 2 — shallots, thinly sliced

  • 2 — pears, peeled, cored, and sliced

  • ⅓ cup — dry white wine

  • ½ teaspoon — brown sugar

  • ½ teaspoon — chopped fresh thyme

  • undefined — salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 (8 ounce) round loaf — sourdough bread

  • 1 (8 ounce) round — Brie cheese

  • ½ cup — slivered almonds

  • undefined — assorted crackers

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir to soften, 1 minute. Add pears; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add white wine, brown sugar, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high; simmer until liquid has evaporated and pears have lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • Cut a Brie-sized hole in top of sourdough round to within 1/2-inch of bottom. Cut removed bread into pieces for serving; set aside.
  • Score Brie around edge (halfway down Brie wheel) using a paring knife to cut 1/4-inch deep. Cut Brie in half horizontally by looping an 18-inch piece of very thin string, or unflavored dental floss, around scored Brie, pulling the ends in opposite directions.
  • Place bottom half Brie, cut-side up, into sourdough loaf. Top with 1/2 pear mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 slivered almonds. Place remaining brie half on top; spread with remaining pear mixture and sprinkle with remaining slivered almonds. Place on a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until soft and gooey, about 45 minutes. Serve with reserved sourdough bread and crackers.

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