The Best (Easy) Holiday Appetizer Ever: Baked Boursin

Have I done it? Have I created the best (easy) holiday appetizer of all time? Dare I say, I think I have. Introducing: Boursin cheese, topped with red onion jam, and baked in puff pastry. I've got options for you to make the red onion jam yourself, or you can even buy some if you want to make this appetizer even easier. Drooling yet? Let's get into it.

My love affair with Boursin cheese began yeaaaars ago. My mom would even put it in mashed potatoes which is just next level delicious. But any girls night or any even that calls for appetizers isn't complete without one (or 10) blocks of Boursin! And as much as I love baked brie, baked Boursin is even better in my humble opinion.

And topped with onion jam, you've got a complex tasting (yet easy) holiday appetizer that is sure to blow minds. 

The Best (Easy) Holiday Appetizer Ever: Baked Boursin in Puff Pastry with Red Onion Jam

Although I'm calling this a holiday appetizer, there's no reason you can't serve it any time of year! But with the combination of flavors, it's got "Christmas" written all over it. 

Ingredients you need for the best easy holiday appetizer EVER

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry
• 1 package of Boursin cheese (I use the garlic and fine herbs kind)
• Red onion jam (you can buy it, but I recommend making it and I include the instructions for that below)
• Fresh thyme for garnish
• Crackers, apple slices, bread, etc for serving

(Check out my TikTok of this Boursin recipe in action!)

How to serve

Since the cheese is wrapped in puff pastry, you could also just eat it without any crackers, etc. But if you do want something to spread it on, crackers are a great option (If you can get your hands on rosemary crackers, it's hard to beat how they taste with this recipe!) Fresh apple slices are great too and so is crostini.

What is Boursin cheese?

Even though (like I said) I've loved Boursin for years, I didn't know much about it other than that it's delicious. Case in point: I had no idea it's called "Gournay Cheese."

As they explain on the Boursin website: 

"When Francois Boursin first sold his creation, he was asked to classify it for customs purposes. He chose the name “Gournay” for his cheese, naming it for the small town in France where he grew up. Today, every package of Boursin is labeled “Gournay Cheese,” the statement of identity for Boursin."

So, what makes Boursin the magical star of the best easy holiday appetizer ever?

Well, if you really want to do a deep dive, read this too:

"The story of the now famous Boursin Cheese started with one man, François Boursin. In 1957, this young Normandy cheesemaker opened a cheese factory in Croisy-sur-Eure, a small community nestled in northern France.

François worked quietly for years trying to perfect his signature cheese. However, in 1961 a French newspaper mistakenly reported the launch of Boursin infused with garlic, and the public loved the idea. The problem was that François had no such recipe in the works, but he quickly got to work to meet the public’s demand. For two years, he worked on his own original recipe inspired by fromage frais, a traditional party dish blended that blends garlic, fresh cream, soft cheese, herbs, salt and pepper.

Finally, in 1963, François was satisfied with his authentic Gournay cheese and garlic creation, and he introduced it to the world. Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese was served at celebrations and gatherings throughout France, and it quickly became a household name."

Ready to find out if this recipe lives up to the "best easy holiday appetizer" name? Here are all the details:

Baked Boursin in Puff Pastry with Red Onion Jam

📖 Recipe

The Best (Easy) Holiday Appetizer Ever: Baked Boursin in Puff Pastry with Red Onion Jam

Prepare to meet your new go-to easy holiday appetizer: baked Boursin cheese, topped with red onion jam and wrapped in puff pastry. It's perfect for sharing, spreading, or diving into face-first.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Servings 6

Calories 322 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 sheet puff pastry thawed but still cool to the touch
• 1 egg for brushing the puff pastry
• 1 package Garlic and Fine Herbs Boursin Cheese (150 g)

Red Onion Jam (½ cup)

• 1 lb red onions sliced, about two or three red onions
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• pinch cinnamon
• salt and pepper

Instructions

 

For the Red Onion Jam

• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add red onions and cook until softened and slightly translucent, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add in red wine, brown sugar, thyme, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, and salt.

  Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let simmer until the liquid thickens and becomes syrupy, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

  Let cool to room temperature or cooler before using with the Boursin and puff pastry.

For the Boursin in Puff Pastry

• Preheat oven to 400ºF.
• On a large baking sheet, unroll one sheet of thawed puff pastry (make sure it's still cool to the touch). Place the Boursin cheese in the middle.
  
• Top with the red onion jam (make sure you've let it cool down enough)
  
• Wrap the puff pastry around the Boursin cheese and red onion jam, trying to seal any cracks.
  
• Whisk one egg in a bowl, and brush the egg wash over the puff pastry.
  
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden
  

Notes

Important Notes:

Be sure to let the onion jam cool before using it—otherwise the puff pastry will get too soft/warm before you start baking it.

Serve with crackers, apple slices, nuts, or on its own. 

Make sure the puff pastry is thawed enough to unroll but still cool to the touch. 

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 158mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Now, get out there and have the best holiday season EVER!!!!

Love,

C XO