This Brie en Croute is easy, yet elegant and makes the perfect appetizer for entertaining! Easily customizable with your favorite nuts and preserves, this buttery puff pastry oozing with cheese is sure to be a hit!
Prep Time10mins
Cook Time25mins
Total Time35mins
Course: Appetizer, starter
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: brie, cheese, en croute, holiday, puff pastry
Toast nuts: Melt butter in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pecans and sauté until golden in color, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir until combined. Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Roll out pastry: On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll the puff pastry out to an 11-inch square (SEE NOTES).
Add toppings: Place the wheel of brie cheese in the center of the puff pastry. Spread the preserves over the top of the cheese. Top the preserves with the sautéed pecans. Brush the outer 1-inch of puff pastry with the egg wash.
Fold puff pastry: Make a cut from each of the four corners of the pastry in towards the center of the cheese. (Make sure you leave a little bit of space around the cheese! See photos in the post) . Bring each corner (there should be 8) up and over the brie. Use your hands to gently pat the pastry to secure it. Transfer the brie en croute to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the outside of the brie en croute with the remaining egg wash.
Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown.
Cool and serve: Transfer brie en croute to a clean work surface or serving platter and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve with fruit, crackers, and artisanal bread.
Video
Notes
If you use a 13-16 ounce wheel of cheese, roll the pastry out to a 13-inch square.
Thaw your puff pastry on the counter at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, or thaw according to package instructions.
If you don't like the taste of the rind on brie cheese, you can use a sharp knife to carefully shave it off. Please note, if you remove the rind the cheese will really ooze after being baked once you cut into it! Allow the cheese to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
Brie en croute can be prepared and wrapped in puff pastry (do not brush the outside with egg wash until ready to bake) up to 1 day in advance. Lightly cover the wrapped brie and store in the refrigerator.
Recipe serves 6-8 peopleNutritional information is an approximation and based upon 8 servings.