Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts

Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts: A Warm and Gooey Delight

 

This baked brie with honey and nuts is the epitome of easy and impressive appetizers. It's perfect for a casual get-together, a romantic date night, or even as a decadent after-dinner treat. The creamy brie cheese gets baked to melty perfection and is then drizzled with sweet honey and topped with crunchy nuts for a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

Ingredients:

1 wheel brie cheese (about 8 ounces)

1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)

2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or a mixture)

Fresh rosemary sprig (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Prepare the Brie:

If the brie rind is very thick, you can trim off a thin layer from the top to promote even melting. However, some people prefer to leave the rind intact for added flavor.

Prep the Puff Pastry:

• Unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If it's too large for the brie wheel, gently roll it out to create a slightly larger square.

Wrap the Brie:

• Place the brie wheel in the center of the puff pastry square. Fold the corners of the pastry dough up and over the brie, overlapping slightly to create a sealed package. You can use a pastry brush dipped in water to moisten the edges for better sealing.

Egg Wash (Optional):

• If you want a golden brown and glossy puff pastry crust, whisk together one egg yolk with a tablespoon of water. Brush the egg wash gently over the top and sides of the wrapped brie.

Bake the Brie:

• Carefully transfer the wrapped brie to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky.

Honey and Nuts:

• While the brie is baking, warm the honey in a small saucepan over low heat until slightly runny.

• Once the brie is golden brown, remove it from the oven and carefully transfer it to a serving plate.

• Drizzle the warm honey generously over the top of the melted brie.

Serve:

• Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the honey-drizzled brie. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig for an extra touch of elegance, if desired.

• Serve immediately with crackers or sliced baguette for dipping.

Tips:

• To make this recipe even more decadent, add a layer of fig jam or chutney on top of the brie before wrapping it in puff pastry.

• If you don't have puff pastry, you can use store-bought pie dough instead. Just follow the same wrapping instructions.

• Be careful not to overbake the brie, as it can become runny and lose its shape.

• This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.

• Leftover baked brie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in the oven before serving again.

Enjoy this warm and gooey baked brie with honey and nuts! It's a simple yet impressive appetizer that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.