Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the bread bowl:
– 1 large round loaf of sourdough bread or any crusty bread (about 8-10 inches in diameter)
– 1 wheel of brie cheese (8-12 oz, depending on the size of the bread bowl)
For the garlic herb butter:
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
– one tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: A pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
Optional toppings and dippers:
– Olive oil for brushing (optional)
– Assorted vegetables, crackers, or bread slices for dipping
– Nuts, such as chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Preparation:
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, prepare your bread bowl. Take the loaf of sourdough or your chosen crusty bread and carefully slice off the top, about 1 inch from the top of the loaf. Set this piece aside, as it can be used for dipping later.
Step 2:
Use your hands or a spoon to hollow out the center of the bread loaf, leaving about 1-2 inches of bread along the edges. This will create your bread bowl. Be sure not to make the walls too thin, as they need to hold the weight of the melted brie and garlic herb butter. Keep the pieces of bread you’ve removed for dipping.
Step 3:
Take the wheel of brie and cut off the top rind, exposing the creamy interior. Place the brie into the hollowed-out bread bowl. If the brie wheel is too large, you can trim it slightly to fit. If it’s smaller, you can tuck the excess bread pieces into the bowl around the brie.
Step 4:
In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Blend until all ingredients are evenly combined, creating a fragrant garlic herb butter.
Step 5:
Generously spread the garlic herb butter over the exposed brie and around the edges of the bread. Make sure to coat the inside of the bread bowl and any of the crust you want to infuse with that delicious flavor. You can also brush the outside of the bread with olive oil for extra crispness, although this is optional.
Step 6:
Place the bread bowl and the extra bread pieces onto a baking sheet. Cover the bread bowl loosely with foil to prevent the top from over-browning. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the brie is fully melted and gooey. If you want a crispier texture for the bread, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Step 7:
Once the brie is melted and the bread is golden, remove the bread bowl from the oven. Serve it immediately, surrounded by the reserved bread pieces, vegetables, or crackers for dipping.
Notes
Make sure to choose a bread that’s crusty on the outside but still soft and airy inside, such as sourdough or French bread, to properly hold the melted brie. The garlic herb butter should be thoroughly mixed and softened, as this allows the flavors to penetrate both the cheese and the bread more effectively. When covering the bread bowl with foil, check on it halfway through the cooking time to ensure it doesn’t get too brown before the brie has fully melted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350-450 calories per serving
- Sodium: 450-550 mg
- Protein: 12-15 grams