I am so excited to share this warm Baked Brie Recipe, a perfect appetizer stuffed with pecans and apricot preserves wrapped in a beautifully baked puff pastry that resembles a pumpkin, with you all! We all get stuck finding suitable appetizers to start our entertaining experience; this recipe is great for fall but off-the-charts adorable for a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board addition!
As you know Charcuterie boards are the “IN” thing right now, and adding this Baked Brie stuffed pumpkin to yours, well this just tells your guests you brought your “A” game for sure!
What Is A Charcuterie Board Appetizer?
A charcuterie board is a combination of meats, cheese, fruits, crackers and in many instances condiments. There is a long history behind the Charcuterie Board and to learn more you should head over to allrecipes’ in-depth overview article of what a charcuterie board is. Suffice it to say that it can be a catch all of your favorites served on a wooden board of some kind.
Now, to differentiate your charcuterie board experience for your guests, you just have to try this Baked Brie recipe that is shaped like a pumpkin for maximum impact.
What Is Baked Brie?
Brie is a soft cheese that is typically made from cow’s milk, but can also be made from goat’s milk. It originated in France actually and is produced all over the world.
The flavor profile of Brie is a cheese that is rich, fruity, buttery and when it is baked it is offers a creamy texture that is just begging for a cracker or crostini to scoop it up!
Baked Brie Recipe Ingredients
The essential ingredients for Baked Brie are above. To This, you will add your favorite nut and preserve it to bring it up a level.
- 1 (8 ounce) wheel of Brie Cheese
- 1 thawed sheet of Puff Pastry
- 1/4 cup Apricot Preserves, or your flavor of choice on hand (*)
- 1/2 cup pecans, more if you desire, or your favorite nut (*)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoons of milk or cream
- 4 pieces of kitchen string, 12 inches long
- 1 stem, top of green pepper for garnish
(*) Not shown.
How To Make Baked Brie?
You want to unwrap your 8 ounce wheel (not wedge) of Brie cheese. You will leave the rind on here. While the French would certainly throw their nose in the air on this in disapproval, however many believe that the rind on the cheese enhances the flavor.
Take your puff pastry out of the wrapper. It should be thawed, but still cold. Lay it on a flat surface with a bit of all purpose flour. Roll out the puff pastry so it is about 11 inches square. Just eyeball it, no need to measure. You want the Brie to sit center of the pastry to overall coverage.
Add some of the apricot preserves in the center of the puff pastry. Then top the preserves with pecans.
Place the wheel of Brie onto top of the pecans and apricot preserves.
Now to create the pumpkin you are going to pull up the sides of the puff pastry until they all meet and cover the Brie entirely. Then turn the bundle over so the smooth edge is at the top. This makes sure that when you cut into the pumpkin after it is baked the delicious apricot pecans are on the top of the Brie.
Now, let’s make this little bundle look like a pumpkin. You are going to need 4 piece of kitchen string that are pre-cut by you, at about 12 inches long.
With the Brie Bundle in front of you, tie the first string North to South. The second string East to West. Then Tie the 3rd and 4th strings in between those strings until the bundle looks like the image three below.
How To Bake Brie
Place the tied bundle of Brie on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg that has been beaten with the milk or cream added. The cream will thin the egg wash and it will make brushing a little easier. This also helps make the curves in the pumpkin more prevalent too. Just be sure that the egg wash does not pool at the bottom of the Brie and stick to the baking sheet.
Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes until the puff pastry is cooked and a nice brown color.
Let the cheese cool a bit, like 5 to 10 minutes so the cheese can firm up a bit and it be too hot to eat.
Serving Baked Brie
Carefully remove the baked Brie from the baking sheet and place it on the Charcuterie Board after it has had a chance to cool. Gently, remove the the green pepper stem and place it on the pumpkin to replicate the stem of the pumpkin.
Surround the Baked Brie with your favorite crackers, crostini, nuts, fruits, etc… and serve!
Tips & Tricks
- The Brie: Grab the brie from your local market. Do not waste money on the expensive ones. Most stores offer a variety of options without having to go to a specialty store. 8oz size is perfect. Be sure you grab a wheel of Brie not a wedge in your excitement to make this!
- You can use any type of preserves that suits your fancy. If orange marmalade is your thing then use that!
- The Bake Brie stays warm for about 15-20 minutes, but you can reheat it in a flash with the microwave for 2 minutes if needed or for adding life in the leftovers.
Looking For Other Amazing Appetizers To Serve, Then Check These Out:
- Sweet And Savory Cheese Ball
- Veggie Dill Dip Appetizer
- Easiest Mexican Dip With Just 4 Ingredients
- Best Warm Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Creamy baked Goat Cheese Dip
- Baked Cheesy Onion Appetizer Dip
- Calzone Pumpkins With Dipping Sauce
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