# Baked Brie with Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt, Honey and Toasted Pecans > Warm, shareable baked brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry, finished with a drizzle of honey, toasted pecans and a sprinkle of Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt. Elegant enough for entertaining yet simple to prepare—an instant party centerpiece. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/baked-brie-kinders-buttery-garlic-salt-honey-toasted-pecans ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 27, 2026 Last Updated: September 24, 2026 ## About This Recipe Baked Brie wrapped in puff pastry is a party trick that never feels tired, and this riff leans into a delicate balance of sweet, savory and textural contrast. The buttery puff pastry crisps into a golden shell, giving way to molten, creamy Brie that’s brightened by a drizzle of honey and the woodsy crunch of toasted pecans. A final dusting of Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt adds an unexpected savory lift—its seasoned butteriness plays nicely with the cheese’s lactic richness without overwhelming the honey’s floral notes. Fresh thyme threads through the center, giving every bite a small herbaceous punctuation. What makes this version work is restraint: two tablespoons of honey under the pastry to infuse the cheese, a brief chill to help the dough hold its shape, and toasted nuts to prevent soggy topping. Puff pastry is the practical choice here—faster than making a galette and more reliably flaky than phyllo for home cooks. This is the kind of starter that suits a casual cocktail night as easily as a holiday spread—simple to assemble, dramatic to present, and built so guests can smother bread with warm, runny cheese straight from the board. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 20 minutes - Cook Time: 20 minutes - Total Time: 40 minutes - Servings: 6 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Snacks ## Ingredients ### Prepare the brie and pastry - 1 wheel Brie wheel (8 oz) - 1 sheet Puff pastry sheet, thawed - 3 tbsp Honey - 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves, chopped ### Finish with honey, pecans and Kinder's salt - 1/2 tsp Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt ### Toast the pecans and preheat the oven - 3/4 cup Pecans, chopped ### Egg wash and bake - 1 large Egg, beaten (for egg wash) ### Serve warm with bread or crackers - 1 baguette Baguette or crackers, for serving ## Ingredient Guide ### Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt A branded flavored finishing salt (from Kinder’s, a U.S. specialty foods company) that combines salt with buttery and garlicy flavoring; it’s used like a seasoned finishing salt rather than a pure single-spice ingredient. It smells and tastes savory with prominent garlic and a buttery/umami note rather than straight saline heat. If you can't find it in grocery or specialty stores, substitute garlic salt or make a quick mix of softened butter (or melted butter flavoring) with garlic powder and salt, or use a compound garlic butter spread to get the same buttery-garlic profile. ## Instructions ### 1. Toast the pecans and preheat the oven Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the chopped pecans on a small baking sheet and toast for 6–8 minutes until fragrant, shaking the pan once; remove and cool. Keep the oven on for baking the assembled brie. ### 2. Prepare the brie and pastry On a lightly floured surface, roll the thawed puff pastry to smooth seams and to roughly a 10-inch square. Place the brie in the center, spoon 2 tablespoons of honey over the top, sprinkle with half the toasted pecans and the chopped thyme, then fold the pastry up and around the cheese, sealing the edges underneath. ### 3. Chill briefly to set the package Turn the wrapped brie seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help the pastry hold its shape during baking. This makes a neater, flakier result. ### 4. Egg wash and bake Brush the pastry with the beaten egg to promote browning. Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, until the pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese inside is soft. ### 5. Finish with honey, pecans and Kinder's salt Let the baked brie rest 3–5 minutes, then drizzle the remaining tablespoon of honey over the top, sprinkle with the remaining toasted pecans, and finish with a light dusting of Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt to taste for a savory contrast. ### 6. Serve warm with bread or crackers Transfer the baked brie to a serving board and surround with sliced baguette or crackers. Encourage guests to spoon warm cheese onto bread, and enjoy immediately for the best texture. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (1 serving (approx. 150g)): - Calories: 585 kcal - Protein: 16.9 g - Carbohydrates: 51 g - Fat: 35.6 g - Saturated Fat: 15.2 g - Fiber: 2.9 g - Sugar: 10.3 g - Added Sugars: 8.7 g - Cholesterol: 68.8 mg - Sodium: 785.3 mg - Potassium: 197.7 mg - Calcium: 111.9 mg - Iron: 3.3 mg ## Tips ### Keep the Brie Chilled Work with cold Brie so it holds its shape while you wrap it; that brief chill before baking prevents the cheese from oozing out before the pastry sets. ### Toast Pecans First Toasting intensifies flavor and removes moisture so the pecans stay crunchy on top, and always cool them completely before adding to the cheese. ### Seal Pastry Well Fold edges underneath and press gently to create a seam; chilling seam-side down for 10 minutes helps the package puff evenly without splitting. ### Even Egg Wash Application Brush a thin, even coat of beaten egg over the pastry—too much makes the surface soggy while too little reduces browning—then use a second light brush if spots look dry. ### Use Center Oven Rack Bake on the middle rack so the pastry browns evenly while the cheese reaches a soft, spoonable temperature without burning the bottom. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Fig Jam and Prosciutto Swap honey for a tablespoon of fig jam under the cheese and tuck thin prosciutto slices between the Brie and pastry for sweet-salty depth. ### Maple and Bourbon Pecans Toss the toasted pecans in a splash of bourbon and a teaspoon of maple syrup for a richer, autumnal topping that pairs beautifully with the garlic salt. ### Vegan Puff Pastry Option Use a plant-based Brie-style cheese and vegan puff pastry, replace the egg wash with nondairy milk mixed with a touch of oil, and swap honey for agave. ### Savory Herb & Mustard Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the Brie before wrapping and mix chopped rosemary with the pecans for a herb-forward, savory version. ## Notes This recipe puts a cultured spin on classic baked brie by using a flavored finishing salt for savory-sweet balance. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers—assemble ahead, bake just before guests arrive, and watch it disappear. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Leftover baked Brie can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days, though the pastry will soften as it cools. To reheat, place on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed through and the pastry crisps again; avoid microwaving, which makes the pastry soggy. You can also assemble the wrapped Brie and freeze before baking—brush with egg wash after thawing and bake from chilled, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. ### Serving Suggestions Serve the baked Brie on a large wooden board with sliced baguette, sturdy crackers, and fresh apple or pear slices for acidity. Add a small bowl of extra honey and a dish of the Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt so guests can add more if they like, and pair with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Noir to cut the richness. For a festive spread, surround the board with charcuterie and pickled vegetables to balance flavors. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Should I remove the rind from the Brie? No need—Brie rind is edible and helps the cheese hold together while baking; removing it can make the center runnier and harder to contain within the pastry. ### What size puff pastry should I use? A single standard sheet rolled to roughly a 10-inch square is ideal for an 8-ounce wheel; it gives enough overlap to seal without excessive bulk that prevents even baking. ### How do I know the Brie is done? The pastry should be golden and puffed and the cheese inside should feel soft when you gently jiggle the package—about 18–20 minutes at 400°F usually yields a melty center. ### Can I assemble ahead of time? Yes—wrap the Brie and refrigerate (sealed) for up to a day; brush with egg wash just before baking to ensure good browning. ### Is Kinder's Organic Buttery Garlic Salt necessary? It isn’t required but it adds a buttery, garlicky umami that contrasts the honey and enhances the cheese; substitute with flaky sea salt and a light sprinkle of garlic powder if unavailable. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Easy Peanut Butter Bars](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-bars) - [Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/salt-and-vinegar-potato-chips) - [Holiday Cranberry Maple Chex Mix](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/holiday-cranberry-maple-chex-mix) - [Labor Day Grilled Lobster Rolls with Charred Scallion Brown Butter & Lemon‑Herb Aioli](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/labour-day-grilled-lobster-rolls-charred-scallion-brown-butter-lemon-herb-aioli) - [Snake River Farms Beef Tallow Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/snake-river-farms-beef-tallow-crispy-air-fryer-chicken-wings) - [Strawberry Yogurt Bark](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/strawberry-yogurt-bark) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan) - [Low-Fat Grill Swaps for Big Flavor](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/low-fat-grill-swaps-big-flavor) - [DIY Edible Monster Eyes Candy](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/diy-edible-monster-eyes-candy)