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The starter, Regional

Baked camembert with honey and walnuts

Baked camembert with honey and walnuts is a warm starter for 6 people, ready in 40 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on work. The cheese gets prepped in the morning and waits in the fridge until it goes into the oven. It's very easy and costs under €2 per person, and the trick to getting it right is poking the rind before baking so the honey and thyme soak into the cheese.

A whole camembert baked until it's gooey in the middle, with honey, walnuts, and bread for dipping, everyone dives right in!

Baked camembert with honey and walnuts
For
6 people
Work
15 min
Total time
40 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.70
Calories per person
450 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

A whole camembert coming out of the oven, rind golden and center oozing the moment you cut into it, is the kind of dish that impresses without you having to prove anything in the kitchen. The honey caramelizes slightly on top, garlic and thyme quietly season the cheese, and the walnuts add the crunch it would otherwise be missing. You dip in toasted bread and conversation pauses for a second.

This is a seasonal starter, built for fall and winter, perfect for a casual dinner with friends or a family meal where you want something warm without spending the afternoon cooking. Kids love it as much as adults do, and it leads well into a heartier main course afterward, since it's rich enough on its own.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step, 18 min

Prep the camemberts in the morning by poking them and tucking in the garlic and thyme, then keep them in the fridge. Just before guests arrive, toast the bread, crush the walnuts, and take the cheeses out so they come back to room temperature. Bake right as you sit down to eat so the center is still properly gooey when you serve it.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Camemberts in wooden boxes 2

Pantry

  • Wildflower honeyoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Walnut halves 50 g
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh thyme 4 sprigs
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Bakery

  • Baguette 2

Allergens Lactose, Gluten, Tree nuts

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Unwrap the camemberts, put them back in their wooden box without the lid, and poke the rind in several spots.

    The wooden box acts as a natural mold and keeps the cheese from spreading out.

  2. Tuck slivers of garlic and sprigs of thyme into the holes, then add the honey and pepper.

    The honey should sit on top and not run off, so add it right before baking.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the baguettes into sticks and toast them gently, then crush the walnuts.

    Thicker sticks hold up better in the gooey cheese and won't snap.

  2. Take the camemberts out of the fridge and preheat the oven to 200°C.

    Cheese at room temperature bakes more evenly, with no cold center.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Bake the camemberts until the center is gooey, then sprinkle with walnuts and serve right away. 18 min

    Cut open the top rind with a knife to expose the melted center.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick camemberts that aren't too young or too ripe, a cheese with a slightly firm center oozes better in the oven than one that's already very runny at room temperature.
  • Keep the wooden box intact with no metal staple so you can bake it directly in it, it keeps the cheese from spreading out and makes serving at the table easier.
  • Watch the last two minutes of baking closely, a camembert that overflows loses its honey and the rind cracks too soon.

The variations

  • Swap the wildflower honey for chestnut honey for a stronger flavor that cuts nicely through the richness of the cheese.
  • For a bolder version, use a few sprigs of rosemary instead of thyme and add a splash of balsamic vinegar before baking.
  • For kids, leave the camembert plain with just the honey, no garlic or thyme, and serve with small toasts instead of grilled bread.

What to serve it with

  • A well dressed green salad
  • A cold dry cider
  • Whole wheat bread toasts

Storage

Baked camembert is best eaten right away, since the center firms up as it cools. If you have leftovers, keep it in the fridge in its closed box for no more than a day and reheat it gently in the oven, though it won't be quite as gooey.

Questions about this recipe

Why poke the rind before baking the camembert

The holes let the honey, garlic, and thyme reach deep into the cheese. Without them, the flavors stay on the surface and the inside of the cheese tastes much milder.

Can you bake the camembert without its wooden box

Yes, a small lightly oiled baking dish works just as well. The box is handy because it doubles as the serving dish at the table.

How do you know when the camembert is baked enough

The center should jiggle slightly when you move the box, which means it's melted inside. Once the rind starts to crack and the cheese spills over the edges, it's time to pull it out.

Can you swap the walnuts for another nut

Chopped hazelnuts or sliced almonds work very well in place of walnuts. Toast them dry for a minute first for extra flavor.

Can a whole baked camembert with honey and walnuts be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 15 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a whole baked camembert with honey and walnuts?

Allow 40 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 15 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a whole baked camembert with honey and walnuts?

About 450 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a whole baked camembert with honey and walnuts cost?

About €1.70 per person, that's €10.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, gluten, tree nuts. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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