Peggy's Fig Brie en Croute
Baked brie is so welcoming around the holidays. Even those who don't like cheese enjoy this appetizer!
I have a good friend named Peggy who LOVES brie! Whenever she comes over, no matter what time of year, I make it for her. Plus, she usually comes with wine and really great stories about her travel or family adventures. She's one of the brightest women I know, highly educated and extremely accomplished in her field. The best part is that I know we’ll see her infectious smile when she sees the Fig Brie En Croute!
The heavenly Fig Brie En Croute has 5 ingredients and starts with thawed puff pastry. Make sure you buy good quality fresh pastry.
Combine the fig jam with moist dried figs. Roll the puff pastry into a larger square on a floured surface or parchment paper.
Place the cold cheese in the center of the pastry square. Top the brie with the jam mixture. Fold up the pastry up around the cheese, gathering like a yummy present, twist and fold it neatly.
Chill for 30 minutes. Keeping the pastry cold helps create those incredible layers!
(At this point, if you would like to bake the brie the next day, wrap it in plastic, store in the refrigerator. Apply the egg wash when you are ready, bake and serve.)
Working quickly, paint the egg mixture all over exterior of the brie with a pastry brush. The egg wash will help create a welcoming crust.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let the brie cool before serving, about 15-30 minutes. This allows the appetizer to set up correctly.
Serve the Fig Brie En Croute with best quality wheat or water crackers, a baguette and a cold white wine. If you like it sweet, drizzle honey on top before serving.
You can adjust this recipe based on your preferences. Try adding fresh thyme and chopped nuts to the jam mixture. Flavor combinations like apricot jam and diced dried apricots, cherry preserves and diced dried cherries or wild blueberry preserves and dried blueberries would be different! If you like it sweeter, the traditional way to serve Fig Brie En Croute is a drizzle of honey on top before serving.
Fig Brie En Croute is easy for beginners. No special tools are needed.
Peggy’s Fig Brie En Croute
ingredients:
- ¼ cup of fig jam
- ¼ cup of dried mission figs, chopped
- 1 sheet of thawed puff pastry, Pepperidge Farm recommended
- 1 8oz. round of brie cheese, chilled with the rind intact
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
instructions:
How to cook Peggy’s Fig Brie En Croute
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the fig jam and chopped figs in a small bowl.
- Roll the pastry into a slightly larger 10" square on a floured surface or parchment paper.
- Move the pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Place the brie in the center of the pastry square. Top the brie with jam mixture. Fold up the pastry around the cheese, gathering like a present, twist and fold it neatly. Chill the brie en croute for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Apply the egg mixture all over exterior of the chilled brie en croute with a pastry brush. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check the brie en croute after the initial 20 minutes, covering the top with a small piece of tin foil if it's browning. Continue to check as it bakes.
- Let the brie en croute cool before serving, 15-30 minutes.
NOTES:
• For savory notes, fold 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh thyme to the jam mixture. • Try apricot jam and diced dried apricots OR cherry preserves and diced dried cherries. • To add a classic contrast, add 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans to the jam mixture. • If you like it sweeter, drizzle a tablespoon of honey on top before serving. • You can prepare the appetizer ahead of time. After step 3, wrap the brie en croute in plastic and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 and apply the egg wash. Continue following step 4
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