Suggestions for Baked Cheese in Pastry &mdash; Other Than Brie? Good Questions

Q: I know baked brie is quite common (and usually very popular) and I've seen some interesting variations on the norm — but to be honest, brie isn't really my thing.

Are there any yummy (holiday) variations of brie en croute that use other cheeses?

Sent by Jessica

Editor: Jessica, why yes, there are certainly other options. My personal favorite is Gouda, and there's an easy and delicious recipe from Baked Bree pictured above:

• Gouda in Puff Pastry at Baked Bree

I certainly suggest you check that one out. Readers, other suggestions?

Next question?

(Image: Bree of Baked Bree)

Comments (12)

Well if you are on a budget like I am, you can actually bake cream cheese in pastry, before you seal it up top the cheese with dill pepper or other fresh herbs and they bake in the cheese. Gruyere works great too if you are looking for something a bit more fancy.

Fresh feta is also really nice baked. Drizzle it with olive oil, sprinkle with some oregano or other herbs, and pop it in the oven to warm it up.

I know it's not a basic baked-cheese, but I recently had a puff-pastry cheese thing that was out of this world. It had caramelized onions and apples, chopped pecans, and blue cheese. Everything was tossed together and then baked in some puff pastry. It was easily the most delicious thing that I had this holiday season.

Pear and blue cheese is also nice, or apple and cheddar. If you want to get really fancy you could try membrillo (i.e. quince paste) and manchego.

I love this question! I too am a fan of the concept of baked cheese in pastry, but I find brie's texture unpleasant and it's flavor to be rather weak, so honestly I'd almost always rather have a different cheese. I love the gouda suggestion, I am bookmarking that one!

I do an apple tart with mascarpone. It works great too.

Raclette. It is soooo good.

As it happens, I'm making these right now for a party tonight: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Feta-Puffs-108081

I haven't made them before, but the reviews on Epicurious are pretty good.

Havarti cheese. Top the cheese with some good Dijon mustard and dried herbs -- chives, parsley, fennel, dill.

I second the raclette suggestion. Raclette is the BOMB. I bet stilton would also work pretty well.

What about avocado with salt and pepper? Vegan substitute!