Baked Camembert with Fig Jam

Ingredients

• 1 Camembert cheese (Keep whole; place in a small baking dish.)
• 1 tbsp Honey (For drizzling over the cheese.)
• 0.25 tsp Chili flakes (Adjust to taste.)
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme (Leaves and tender sprigs, for sprinkling.)
• 1 Baguette (Slice into rounds and arrange around the cheese.)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil (For drizzling over the baguette and cheese.)
• 4 tbsp Fig jam (For spreading on the toasted baguette.)
• 80 g Cured beef (Thinly sliced; use as a finishing topping.)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Choose a small ovenproof baking dish that fits the Camembert snugly, with enough room around it for the baguette slices.

2. 2

   Place the whole Camembert in the center of the baking dish. If it is packaged in a wooden box that is explicitly oven-safe, it may remain in the box; otherwise remove all packaging before baking.

3. 3

   Drizzle the honey over the top of the Camembert, distributing it evenly across the rind.

4. 4

   Sprinkle the chili flakes and fresh thyme over the honey-coated cheese.

5. 5

   Arrange the fresh baguette slices around the Camembert in a single layer. Drizzle the olive oil over the bread and any exposed surface of the cheese.

6. 6

   Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes, until the baguette is toasted and the Camembert is visibly soft and melted in the center. Watch the bread toward the end so it does not burn.

7. 7

   Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it stand for 1–2 minutes so the cheese is safe to handle while remaining molten.

8. 8

   Spread fig jam on the toasted baguette slices.

9. 9

   Spoon or dip the melted Camembert onto the fig-jam-topped baguette.

10. 10

    Finish each serving with thin slices of cured beef. Serve immediately, ideally with a glass of wine.

Notes

The source does not specify exact quantities, so the amounts are practical estimates for four appetizer servings. Serve immediately while the Camembert is molten. Take care when eating directly from the hot baking dish.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• French
• baked
• easy
• cheese
• vegetarian-option
• wine-night
• holiday