Baked Vacherin with Herbs

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PRESENTATION

So here's the deal: if you love baked cheese with herbs, you really, really need to try Vacherin al forno alle erbe. It's a Swiss treasure from the stunning valley of Joux. People there use a wheel of Vacherin Mont d'Or. It bakes into a creamy and melted wonder. And you know what? The cheese is special. It's got this soft, almost runny center that just soaks up the flavors you throw in. Seriously good. Typically, folks add fresh garlic, a splash of dry white wine, and some chopped herbs before baking. The result? Rich and aromatic. Your kitchen fills with that cheesy aroma that's just unmistakable.

If you’re into gooey and savory things, this Vacherin Mont d'Or recipe is for sure a hit. Especially when friends come over. This baked cheese dish is such a unique Swiss tradition. I mean, sure, other countries have their melted cheese, but nothing beats the charm of oven-baked Vacherin. And look, it comes out silky, slightly tangy, and just right for scooping.

Traditionally, it's served with crispy potatoes—baked in foil—moist inside, plus sliced cured meats and tangy pickled veggies. This combo? It balances the richness and keeps every bite interesting. Some say it's like a rustic Vacherin fondue. But with those herby flavors baked in? Way, way better. Perfect for a chilly night when you crave something special—definitely a gourmet cheese appetizer meant for sharing. And the best part? Watching the golden top bubble and crisp while everything underneath stays soft and scoopable. For lovers of traditional Swiss cuisine, this dish shows why these old-school cheese recipes are beloved. No question.

INGREDIENTS
Vacherin Mont d'Or cheese 1.1 lbs (500 g) - whole form
Garlic 1 clove
Rosemary 1 sprig
Thyme 1 sprig
Potatoes 8
Dry white wine 4 tsp (20 ml)
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Fine salt to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Baked Vacherin with Herbs

To prepare baked vacherin with herbs, start by placing a tablespoon of oil, a garlic clove, and half of the rosemary 1 in a bowl, which will be used to flavor the potatoes accompanying the vacherin. Use a kitchen brush to coat the potatoes with the flavored oil 2, add salt 3, and

wrap the potatoes in a foil with aluminum wrap 4. Bake the foil-wrapped potatoes in a preheated static oven at 392°F 5 for about 50 minutes (or in a ventilated oven at 356°F for 40 minutes). Chop the remaining rosemary 6 and set it aside.

Now take the vacherin wheel, carve a circle on the top with a knife 7 and lift the crust 8. Season the vacherin with white wine 9

a teaspoon of oil, the chopped rosemary, and the thyme leaves 10. Close the wheel with the crust 11, wrap the vacherin with aluminum foil 12, and bake in a preheated static oven at 392°F for about 25 minutes (or in a ventilated oven at 356°F for about 20 minutes). After the required time, take your baked vacherin with herbs out of the oven and serve it piping hot and melted with the foil-baked potatoes.

Storage

It is recommended to eat baked vacherin with herbs hot, at the moment.
It is not recommended to store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Curiosity

Vacherin mont-d’Or is a Swiss PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) soft cheese, often used for fondues. It is produced in the Joux valley from late September to April. Aging occurs in traditional cellars, and once matured, it releases a very particular flavor, given precisely by the packaging used for conservation, made of spruce wood, which releases a tannic aroma.

Tip

Monstrously good and soft, baked vacherin should be eaten at least once in a lifetime like in Switzerland, that is, accompanied with the typical salted meat, Viande des Grisons. If you can't find it, don't despair: good bresaola will have almost the same effect.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.