Baked Camembert in Puff Pastry with Garlic & Cream

This baked Camembert in puff pastry is the kind of recipe that looks impressive but is actually very easy to make.
A whole wheel of Camembert is wrapped in flaky puff pastry with garlic and a little cream, then baked until the outside is golden and crisp and the cheese inside becomes irresistibly soft and molten.

It works perfectly as a warm appetizer, a party dish, or an indulgent snack to share with wine. Serve it straight from the oven while the cheese is still beautifully gooey.

Ingredients

• 1 whole Camembert cheese
• 250 g puff pastry
• 1 egg, for brushing
• 1 garlic clove, about 5 g
• 20 g heavy cream

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Baking tray
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven.
   Preheat your oven to 200°C / 390°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Camembert.
   Remove the cheese from its packaging. Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow cuts in the top of the Camembert.
3. Add the garlic.
   Peel the garlic clove and slice it very thinly. Insert the garlic pieces into the small cuts in the cheese.
4. Add the cream.
   Spoon or drizzle the cream over the top of the Camembert. Let some of it soak into the cuts.
   This makes the filling even softer, richer and creamier.
5. Wrap in puff pastry.
   Roll out the puff pastry if necessary and place the Camembert in the center.
   Bring the pastry up around the cheese and seal it completely, pinching the edges together.
   Trim away any excessive pastry if needed.
6. Brush with egg.
   Beat the egg lightly and brush the entire surface of the pastry with it.
   This will give the baked pastry a beautiful golden finish.
7. Bake.
   Place the wrapped Camembert on the prepared baking tray and bake for approximately 20–25 minutes,
   or until the puff pastry is well risen and deeply golden.
8. Rest briefly.
   Let the baked Camembert rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it.
   The cheese inside will be extremely hot.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the baked Camembert immediately while the center is still warm and runny. It is delicious with fresh baguette, toasted bread, crackers, grapes, pears, apples, roasted nuts, or a simple green salad.

For a sweet-and-savory version, add a little honey, fig jam, cranberry sauce, or caramelized onion on the side.

Tips for the Best Baked Camembert

Choose a good-quality Camembert with a creamy texture and a full, rich flavor. Both fresh and frozen puff pastry will work, but make sure frozen pastry is completely thawed before using.

Fresh garlic gives the best flavor. Do not add too much, as Camembert already has a strong personality of its own.
The small amount of cream helps make the center especially smooth and luxurious.

Make sure the pastry is sealed well so the melted cheese does not escape during baking. If the pastry starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the final few minutes.

Storage

This dish is best eaten fresh from the oven. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat in the oven at 180°C / 350°F until warmed through. Avoid reheating it in the microwave if possible, as the puff pastry will lose its crisp texture.