Baked Brie

Jen's m-i-l Jan made this baked brie awhile ago, I took a picture but didn't ask how she made it; I asked Jen to ask Jan but instead she asked Natalie who also makes a great baked brie. She follows a Paula Dean recipe and changes it up a bit - it appears to be just what Jan's brie is like so I'm going with Nat's recipe and Jan's picture! Here's the original recipe, if you want to make changes see the notes below:

BRIE EN CROUTE

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
• 1 T. unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/8 t. ground cinnamon
• 1 (8-ounce) wheel Brie
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• crackers, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 375'. 

2. Defrost puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold.

3. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the walnuts in the butter until golden brown, approx. 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon and stir until walnuts are coated well. Place the walnut mixture on top of the Brie and sprinkle the brown sugar over the mixture. NOTE: or skip the nuts, cinnamon, and brown sugar and substitute jam - see Natalie's note below.

4. Lay the puff pastry out on a flat surface. Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Gather up the edges of the pastry, pressing around the brie and gather at the top. Gently squeeze together the excess dough and tie together with a piece of kitchen twine. Brush the beaten egg over top and sides of Brie.

5. Place Brie on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden brown.

Natalie's note: I use this as the base...but I’ve used apricot or cherry preserves instead of the sugar...or honey instead of the sugar. Can also do canned cranberry sauce!

Jill's note:  I haven't made it but am thinking it'll be perfect for a New Year's Eve appetizer - won't do nuts since D is allergic, and using leftover whole-berry cranberry sauce instead of sugar or jam. I asked if she cuts the top rind off of the Brie before adding the topping, she said 'sometimes, not so much these days'. So I'm saving a step and leaving it intact. One more thing - Jan didn't gather the dough on top of the brie, she wrapped it underneath. 

recipe found here

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