How to Prepare a Brie for Baking

One of the easiest and most-loved party appetizers is a baked Brie with a scrumptious topping. There are several ways to prepare a Brie for baking and how you do it depends on personal taste. The purpose of preparing it is to allow steam to escape and prevent the Brie from puffing up or bursting, and to facilitate the serving process.
The simplest way to prepare it is to score the top rind of the cheese in a star pattern.
Another way often used is to remove the top rind of the cheese entirely; this is the best technique for those who like a bit less rind with their cheese and it allows the toppings to mix into the cheese better.
The third way is a combination: Score the top rind of the cheese in a star pattern. Then cut the Brie in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the cheese in a baker, top with 1/2 the toppings, place the top half of the cheese on top and cover completely with toppings.
Whichever way you choose, it will be delicious. The Brie bakers we carry at the store, pictured above,  are always popular gifts - $22.50 each and they come with a box of topping mix. And the toppings we carry - both dry mix and ready to serve - make quick work of preparing the Brie:  Cherry Jubilee, Cranberry & Almonds, Maple Walnut, Apple Pecan, Pear & Rosemary, Sweet Onion, Maple Apple and more - yum!