Baked Brie is one of my favorite appetizers because it combines the best parts of a cheese platter in one pastry-wrapped package. This year, one way I’m giving myself permission to take it easy and enjoy the holidays is by bringing this heat-and-eat Marin French Cheese Co. Brie en Croute from Costco to every party I attend.
What’s So Great About Marin French Cheese Co. Brie en Croute?
Few things beat buttery, flaky puff pastry and gooey Brie cheese — especially when the only prep it requires is popping it in the oven. Inside the buttery puff pastry wrapping is a round of Marin French Cheese Co.’s traditional cow’s milk Brie cheese. The cheese is smooth and creamy with just a hint of sweetness and mushroom flavor that makes Brie cheese, Brie cheese.
The cheese comes pre-wrapped in pastry and par-baked to get it to the table even faster. The best part is that at Costco this appetizer costs just $9.99 — less than what I’d spend on the individual ingredients.
What’s the Best Way to Serve Marin French Cheese Co. Brie en Croute?
Marin French Cheese Co.’s baked Brie can be finished in the oven on a baking sheet or go straight from oven to table in a ceramic covered Brie baker. Serve the pastry and cheese as-is with sliced apples or seedy crackers.
Taking this store-bought shortcut doesn’t mean you have to give up on adding a personalized touch to this appetizer. Instead of wrapping sweetened nuts, cranberry sauce, or other flavorings inside the baked Brie pastry packaging, add the accoutrements in small dishes alongside fresh fruit and crackers. Make Cabernet-onion jam or caramelized onions and serve with a tiny fork. Include a dish of cranberry sauce or use a favorite store-bought jam like the ones from the Bonne Maman Advent calendar, or serve with herb-infused honey.
Find it in stores: Marin French Cheese Co. Brie en Croute, $9.99 for 9.4 ounces
What holiday items are you snagging at Costco this year? Tell us about it in the comments below.
