Social Saturday: Brie En Croute

Grab a bottle of nice wine, put the kids to bed; it’s time for the annual run of holiday parties.  I love going to holiday parties.  It's great to see friends, have a few laughs and toast the upcoming year.  Most years, Phil and I throw a big bash at our house, I make a ton of food, and we invite everyone we have ever met. 

Unfortunately, the last two parties were less than successful with terrible snow storms, no electricity, no guests and way too many leftovers.  So, we have taken a few years off from hosting.  Therefore, I am always looking for an excuse to make my cocktail party favorites for my friend’s parties.

My cocktail party stand by is my Brie En Croute.  That’s a super fancy way to say wheel of brie covered in puff pastry.  I also cut mine in half, fill it with brown sugar, dried fruit and nuts.  Trust me, make this baby and it will disappear before you can say, “God, that’s an ugly sweater!”

Holiday Happiness Brie En Croute

Makes

Serves
Prep time:         Total time: 

1 large wheel of triple cream Brie
1 sheet puff pastry
¼ cup brown sugar or honey
¼ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup chopped dried mission figs and/or dried cranberries
1 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons of water

1. Cut brie in half lengthwise and open like a sandwich.  Sprinkle bottom side of brie with brown sugar, pecans and fruit.
2. Place on top of puff pastry and place brie half on top.  Press down to secure the brie halves.  Fold up the puff pastry to fully encase the brie. 
3. Flip over and cover with egg wash.
4. Freeze for one hour or up to one week.
5. Preheat oven to 370.  Bake brie for 20 to 25 minutes, until pastry has puffed up and is golden brown.
6. Arrange on a plate with grapes, bread and crackers.
7. Buon Appetito!

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BRIE EN CROUTE, STEP BY STEP