On Christmas Day, a couple of years ago, my husband handed me a curious, round package to open. What was inside that package had me pledging my undying love to him. That’s right, folks – it was an entire wheel of Brie cheese.
(Moment of reverent silence.)
I profess my undying love to you, honey.
Now, I have also been known to enjoy a little nibble of chocolate here and there. So, when our cooking group hostess asked me to make
Giada de Laurentiis‘ Chocolate & Brie Panini, I was more than excited. What can I say, I’m a simple gal. One puzzler: How does Giada eat all of these delicious dishes and remain so slim? I don’t think I can be her friend. Well, unless she promised to make me lots and lots of things with Brie.
You’re thinking that the combo of chocolate and brie – oh yeah, and basil – sounds a little odd. Just stick with me. Have I led you astray yet?
Preheat a panini grill or a large cast-iron pan.
Cut a loaf of sourdough bread into 12 slices.
Brush both sides of each slice of bread with extra-virgin olive oil (about 1/3 cup total).
Grill the bread slices until they begin to turn golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the bread from the grill and place slices of Brie on six of the bread slices (about 2 oz each).
Top the cheese with 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips. Giada recommends 1/3 cup per sandwich. We actually used about 1/4 cup per sandwich and thought that they chocolate overpowered the Brie. Sacrilegious, I say! I think 2 tbsp would be just right.
Stay with me now. Divide 1/3 cup thinly sliced basil leaves across the six slices of bread, laying across the chocolate chips.
Top with the other slices of bread to form six sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on the panini grill and grill until the chocolate begins to melt, about 2 minutes. If you are using a cast-iron pan, place a foil-covered brick on top of the sandwiches, cook for 1 minute, and then cook for an additional minute on the other side. See my recipe for Grilled Chicken and Pesto Panini to see pictures of the brick procedure.
Cut each panini in half and serve.
Other dessert panini:
Other panini with Brie cheese:
Chocolate & Brie Panini
12 slices sourdough bread
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Preheat panini grill or cast-iron pan. Brush both sides of each slice of bread with extra-virgin olive oil. Grill the bread slices until they begin to turn golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
Remove the bread from the grill and place slices of Brie on six of the bread slices (about 2 oz each). Top the cheese with 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips on each slice. Divide the thinly sliced basil leaves across the six slices of bread, laying across the chocolate chips.
Top with the other slices of bread to form six sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on the panini grill and grill until the chocolate begins to melt, about 2 minutes. If you are using a cast-iron pan, place a foil-covered brick on top of the sandwiches, cook for 1 minute, and then cook for an additional minute on the other side. See my recipe for
Grilled Chicken and Pesto Panini to see pictures of the brick procedure.
Cut each panini in half and serve.
Makes 6 panini.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the link! I’m intrigued with the chocolate and brie panini. When I get my press (hopefully soon) I will have to give it a try.
When you get your press, you’ll have to let me know what creations you come up with!
A panini with melted brie and chocolate!?! It sound great!
What an amazing food combination!! I love brie & chocolate is used in savory recipes so I have to try this! Cheers!
Kevin and Culinary Chase – believe me, this recipe is well worth the effort.
Wow… what a crazy combo! As soon as my basil is up I’ll have to give this a try!
LollyChops (love the name!), you won’t be sorry!
This looks absolutely delicious! I’m a huge fan of brie, and chocolate . . . and basil . . . I’ll definitely give this a try soon!
Well, I’ve discovered that chocolate and brie work well togehter, but does this really work with the basil? I’m curious…
Well, all is can recommend is to try it. I loved it and I hope you will, too.
YUM! I would have never thought basil leaves with the chocolate and brie. That sounds really interesting.
This was such a treat. What a great combination! Satisfied a lot of cravings
Love your blog.
Wow, I would never have thought of making that sandwich. How creative
It looks so yummy! I do love paninis, and now I can have it for dessert 
I have been dying to try this (also love Giada but cannot come to terms with her ridiculously cute figure)! I'm a fellow Brie worshiper. =)Can't wait to try this out!
Hi Dara,
a very interesting combination.
greeting jacob
I received a panini grill for Christmas and have been having so much fun. I've not tried a chocolate panini yet. Looks delish!
Brie is my favorite! This is a great combination between chocolate and brie. I'm going to try this out soon!
SO I know I'm a little late.. but this looks out of this world.. I can't wait to try this!
I saw this on Foodbuzz and HAD to check it out. This looks absolutely amazing!
Yum! Found your wonderful blog on foodbuzz & am a new follower!
- Jessica @ http://cajunlicious.com
Sourdough, Basil, chocolate and brie! Four of my favorite foods in one dish… I must admit at first it sounded strange but honestly this looks incredible. I am definitely going to have to try this.