Whipped Brie with Creamed Lavender Honey and Herb Salt Recipe
This Whipped Brie Appetizer with Creamed Lavender Honey is an elegant and flavorful dish featuring nutty browned butter whipped together with creamy brie cheese. Paired with a fragrant lavender-infused honey and a hand-crafted lavender rosemary salt, this appetizer offers a sophisticated balance of rich, sweet, and aromatic flavors. Perfectly served with warm bread or toasted baguette slices, it makes a stunning and irresistible starter for any gathering.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Whipped Brie Butter
- 4 oz unsalted butter
- 8 oz brie (rind removed)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
Creamed Lavender Honey
- 3 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp lavender flowers
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1 pinch salt
- ⅓ cup creamed honey
Lavender Rosemary Salt
- ¼ cup flaky salt
- 1½ tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 tsp dried lavender flowers
To Serve
- Lavender rosemary salt (for garnish)
- Herbes de Provence (optional, for dusting)
- Warm bread or toasted baguette slices
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the unsalted butter until the milk solids turn deeply golden brown and emit a nutty aroma. Remove the pan from heat to prevent burning.
- Whip the Butter: Transfer the browned butter to a bowl placed over an ice bath. Using a spatula, vigorously whip the butter until fully incorporated and thickened. Remove the bowl from the ice bath once whipped.
- Add the Brie: Add the rind-removed brie and heavy cream to the whipped browned butter. Using a hand mixer, whip the mixture for 1-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and fluffy. Transfer the whipped brie butter into a piping bag for easy plating.
- Make the Lavender Honey: In a small saucepan, combine honey, lavender flowers, fresh rosemary, thyme sprig, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture just to a light simmer, then turn off the heat. Allow the herbs to steep in the honey mixture for 15 minutes or until completely cooled. Remove the thyme sprig and stir in creamed honey. Transfer this lavender honey to a piping bag and refrigerate to thicken.
- Make the Lavender Rosemary Salt: Mix flaky salt with chopped fresh rosemary and dried lavender flowers. Rub the dried lavender between your fingers to break down the buds, preventing large chunks in the salt.
- Pipe and Plate: Pipe the whipped brie butter onto a serving plate in smooth, even horizontal strips spaced apart, holding the piping bag at a 45° angle for clean lines. Pipe the thickened lavender honey in between each strip of brie butter. Finish by sprinkling some lavender rosemary salt (reserve some for garnish) and optionally dust lightly with herbes de Provence. Serve immediately with warm bread or toasted baguette slices for dipping and spreading. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the butter is browned but not burnt to achieve a rich nutty flavor without bitterness.
- Removing the rind from the brie helps create a smooth, creamy texture in the whipped mixture.
- The steeping time for the lavender honey can be adjusted to intensify or soften herbal notes.
- Fresh herbs work best for the honey infusion and salt mix for vibrant flavor.
- This appetizer is best served immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures and fresh flavors.
- Warm bread or lightly toasted baguette slices complement the dish perfectly for spreading.
Keywords: whipped brie, appetizer, browned butter, lavender honey, rosemary salt, creamed honey, fancy appetizer