CONNIE’S G/F BAKED CRANBERRY, PECANS & BROWN SUGAR BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY

Hey Friends, 

This is such a festive and delicious appetizer for your holiday parties.  If you aren’t g/f, then use the gluten puff pastry.   I’ll be honest with you, gluten pastry is easier to work with.   But, if you’re g/f or some of your guests are, they’ll be thrilled you made this yummy app for them!   

This can easily become a savory Brie en Croute.  I love making it with mushrooms & bacon!   Ham is also great.  Or, keep it totally veg for your vegetarian friends!

What you’ll need:

• G/F Puff Pastry, thawed
• 8 oz. wheel of Brie, I used President
• ½ cup (a little less) toasted pecans, chopped
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• little bit of cinnamon
• 1 egg beaten & 1 tsp water (for egg wash)
• Red & green apples   (I like Granny Smith & Fuji)
• Gluten free crackers

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 375*F
2. If you have time, soak the dried cranberries in a little bit of water to soften up.   (no time, no problem).
3. In a small bowl stir cranberries, pecans & brown sugar.   Set aside.
4. Score an 8 oz wheel of Brie and slice through with dental floss.   If you’re confident to cut through with a very sharp knife, go for it.  I’m not! LOL
5. Place some of the cranberry mixture on one side of the Brie
6. IF you plan to bake the Brie “right side up”, add more mixture to the top of the Brie
7. IF you plan to flip the Brie after wrapping with the pastry, don’t add mixture to the top
8. Roll the puff pastry on a lightly G/F floured surface until approx 1/8 inch.   If the pastry is too thick, it may not bake all the way through.   Too thin may crack / break.
9. Place the Brie on the puff pastry.   Apply the egg wash to the edges
10. Bring the sides up over the wheel to completely cover.
11. If you want to flip, now’s the time. 
12. Using cookie cutters, cut some Christmas trees, holly, bells with the remaining puff pastry and place on top with more egg wash.
13. Bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper at 375 for approximately 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.  If it’s leaking Brie, that’s okay.   You’ll know it’s completely done.  LOL!  I’ve baked it and didn’t have any leaking Brie only to find out it wasn’t completely baked!   
14. Let rest for a minute.
15. Serve with your favorite sliced apples and G/F crackers!

ENJOY A LITTLE TASTE OF HEAVEN

RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, TX!