Caramelised Camembert with Macadamias

Caramelised camembert with macadamia nuts

I can’t tell you how endlessly impressive this little party starter is. It looks and tastes fantastic and makes people call you things like Domestic Goddess. So if you’re addicted to the limelight and praise like me, you’ll want to create this little number for your next party-or indeed Christmas lunch that is coming up all too soon!

This can either be an hors de’oeuvres plate prior to dinner to have with wine or cocktails or you can easily turn this into a dessert plate. I served this with fresh Californian dates (one of my favourite indulgences), dark chocolate squares and pawpaw so I could cover the dessert spectrum. If you serve it fairly soon after you tip the toffee over it, the inside turns into a soft runny centre which you may prefer! The recipe below is for two rounds of camembert. I halved it and since my camembert was not very large I had a lot of macadamia nut toffee left over-happy times! :)

Caramelised camembert with macadamia nuts

Caramelised Camembert with Macadamia nuts

Ingredients (serves 20)

  • 2 x 20cm rounds camembert cheese
  • 100g packet roasted, salted macadamia nuts
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Crackers, grapes and fresh dates, to serve

Method

1. Place cheese on a large heatproof platter. Roughly chop macadamia nuts (not too fine).

2. In a small saucepan on low heat dissolve sugar in water. Once sugar is fully dissolved, turn up heat and leave boiling without stirring for 5 minutes (set timer if necessary) watching like a hawk and resisting all natural instincts to wander off. As soon as it starts to turn a caramel colour, remove from heat and carefully add nuts. Tilt pan to coat in toffee. Pour toffee over cheese but don’t cover it with toffee too thickly as it will be too hard to cut otherwise (admittedly I was a little heavy handed with the toffee in the pics).

3. Set aside to cool, uncovered, at room temperature. Serve with crackers and fruit.

Time plan: In the morning – Make caramelised camembert. 1 hour before guests arrive – Assemble camembert platter.

Adapted from Recipe by Dixie Elliott Super Food Ideas

Caramelised camembert with macadamia nuts

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11 Comments | Add your own

  • 1. Jobe | December 11, 2007 at 3:36 am | #

    Awesome stuff.

    Camembert is one of my favourite cheeses and this looks GREAT.

    I will try this soon.

  • 2. Kathy | December 11, 2007 at 4:35 am | #

    Giant natto ;)

    Just kidding =p It looks AMAZING!!

  • 3. Not Quite Nigella | December 11, 2007 at 4:42 pm | #

    Hi Jobe-ooh cool! Let me know how you go :D Oh and I was a bit heavy handed on the macadamia and toffee so its best not to have so much for cutting ease. But I’m a macadamia toffee freak I’m afraid :lol:

    Hi Kathy-Haha! :lol: Thankfully it tastes nothing like Natto!

  • 4. Alexandra | December 11, 2007 at 9:17 pm | #

    wow..looks amazing!!! I’m just drooling thinking about the wonderful combination! Have you tried a baked brie before?

  • 5. Not Quite Nigella | December 12, 2007 at 5:21 pm | #

    Hi Alexandra-I haven’t tried baked brie but I would imagine that its delicious! Have you tried deep fried camembert? Unusual but very good! :)

  • 6. Amanda | December 13, 2007 at 12:11 am | #

    I make something similar to top Camembert that uses cashews. I like to add dried cranberries as well. Next time I’ll definitely try your version with macadamia nuts. Thanks!

  • 7. Not Quite Nigella | December 13, 2007 at 10:29 pm | #

    Hi Amanda-cashews would be great on it and I love the idea of cranberries too. Thanks-I might try that next time! :D

  • 8. Christel Jensen | February 26, 2009 at 12:09 am | #

    Hi
    Your blog is great. Very nice pictures. I tried the carmel on brie with pecans. It was great:)

  • 9. Not Quite Nigella | February 26, 2009 at 8:20 pm | #

    Hi Christel-Thankyou so much. That’s fantastic! Great to hear that it worked :)

  • 10. Beau | October 23, 2009 at 12:17 pm | #

    Wauw,,,,Im such a camembert addict,,,and well,gotta love caramel too. Never tried the combination. Will soon now though :) …Thanks so much.

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