Brie en Croûte with Cranberries, Nuts, and Thyme Recipe
Brie en Croûte with Cranberries, Nuts, and Thyme is a delightful appetizer featuring a whole Brie cheese round wrapped in flaky puff pastry, enhanced with a sweet and tangy mixture of honey, dried cranberries, nuts, and fragrant thyme. Baked to golden perfection, this elegant dish offers a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and fruity flavors, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (13-oz [370-g]) ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed
- 1 (453 grams) Brie cheese round (at least 6-inches in diameter)
- 2 tbsp (40g) honey
- 1/3 cup (about 50g) dried cranberries
- ¼ cup (about 35g) chopped nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and/or pecans)
- 4 sprigs thyme, stemmed
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp (15ml) milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot enough for baking the puff pastry to a crisp, golden-brown finish.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the honey, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, thyme leaves, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently to combine these flavors evenly.
- Assemble the Brie en Croûte: Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Place the Brie cheese round in the center. Spoon the cranberry, nut, and honey mixture atop the Brie, spreading it evenly over the top surface.
- Wrap the Brie: Carefully fold the puff pastry around the Brie, sealing all edges to encase the cheese and filling completely. Trim any excess pastry as needed to ensure a neat package.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the egg wash generously over the entire surface of the wrapped Brie to help it brown beautifully during baking.
- Bake: Transfer the wrapped Brie to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the Brie en Croûte rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly making it easier to slice and serve. Serve warm with crackers or sliced baguette.
Notes
- You can prepare the wrapped Brie ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking to save time before serving.
- Feel free to mix and match nuts based on your preference or what you have available.
- To enhance flavor, you can add a splash of bourbon or brandy to the honey mixture.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the puff pastry does not contain animal fats like lard or gelatin.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in a low oven to preserve flakiness.
