Description
Savory brie nestled in golden puff pastry creates a luxurious appetizer with French-inspired elegance. Warm cheese and flaky layers invite guests to indulge in a simple yet sophisticated starter you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed according to package instructions)
- 1 wheel Brie cheese (8 oz/226 g)
- ¼ cup fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, or fig) or honey
- 2 tbsps chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Crackers, bread slices, or apple slices for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal baking environment.
- Pastry Arrangement: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, ensuring an even, smooth texture that will elegantly encase the Brie.
- Cheese Positioning: Center the Brie wheel on the pastry, strategically placing it to allow for even wrapping and maximum flavor distribution.
- Flavor Enhancement: Lavishly drizzle fruit preserves or honey over the Brie, then sprinkle chopped nuts to introduce a delightful textural contrast.
- Pastry Wrapping: Carefully fold the pastry around the Brie, meticulously trimming excess dough and sealing the edges to create a secure, elegant package.
- Pre-Baking Finish: Brush the entire pastry surface with beaten egg, ensuring a lustrous, golden-brown exterior that promises a crisp, appetizing result.
- Baking Process: Transfer the pastry-wrapped Brie to the prepared baking sheet, positioning the seam downward, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry transforms into a rich, crisp golden-brown shell.
- Resting and Serving: Allow the baked Brie to rest for 5-10 minutes, letting the cheese settle and cool slightly, then present with an array of crackers, rustic bread, or crisp apple slices for an irresistible appetizer experience.
Notes
- Prevent Cheese Leakage: Ensure pastry edges are tightly sealed to stop melted Brie from escaping during baking.
- Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate the wrapped Brie for 15 minutes before baking to help maintain its shape and prevent pastry from becoming soggy.
- Temperature Matters: Let Brie sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before wrapping to ensure even melting and smooth texture.
- Customize Flavor Profiles: Experiment with different preserves like fig, raspberry, or apricot, and try alternative nuts like pistachios or almonds for unique taste variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg