Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Food

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY-PECAN-BACON CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lay the bacon in a large skillet, then cook over medium heat until golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain the bacon on paper towels, let cool, then finely chop.
• Combine the bacon, pecans, cranberries, apricots, rosemary, vinegar, pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Remove the Brie from its packaging. Cut off the top rind of the round of Brie, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges (use a sharp knife and go in from above at a slight angle). Discard the rind you have removed. Put the Brie in a small baking dish. Top with some of the cranberry-pecan-bacon crumble, and scatter the rest around the Brie. Cover the dish with foil, and bake until the cheese is warm and gooey, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Serve with bread, crackers and apple and/or pear slices for dipping.

CRANBERRY PECAN BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Put the cheese in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to chill.
• Bring the cranberry juice and brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan and add the cranberries. Turn off the heat and let the cranberries plump for about 10 minutes. Transfer them with a slotted spoon to a bowl, add the pecans, honey and cinnamon and mix together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roll one of the sheets of puff pastry thinner with a rolling pin. Place the cheese on the center of the pastry. Top the cheese with the cranberry-nut mixture. Bring the edges of the pastry to the center and press together; brush the edges with the egg wash so they adhere.
• Cut three 1-inch-thick strips from the remaining puff pastry sheet. Cross the first 2 strips on top on the cheese so they intersect in the center like a ribbon wrapping a present. Seal the edges with egg wash. Bring the ends of the third strip of puff pastry up and over to create a bow shape, with the ends hanging down. Place in the center of the cheese and secure with egg wash. Brush the remaining pastry with egg wash.
• Bake until the pastry is light golden brown, tenting it if it begins to brown too much, about 40 minutes. Let rest briefly. Serve with crackers.

CRANBERRY-PECAN BRIE CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Press wonton wrappers into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Spritz wrappers with cooking spray. Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, marmalade, honey, brandy and spices; heat through over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat., Divide cheese among wonton cups; top with cranberry mixture. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake 8-10 minutes or until heated through and wonton wrappers are golden brown.

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Peel or slice off the top rind of the brie and scrape out a small amount of cheese to form a shallow hollow in the center. Place the cheese in a small baking dish like a pie pan. (If you plan on transferring the cheese to a serving dish after it's baked, line the pie pan with a square of parchment paper.).
• Mix the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, zest, and nutmeg. Top the brie with this cranberry mixture and sprinkle the hazelnuts (optional) over it.
• Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the cheese is gooey. This is a delicate process, and baking time can vary. The goal is to take the cheese out after it has softened, but just before it collapses into a heap.
• If desired, lift the parchment paper and use a spatula to carefully slide the cheese onto a prettier serving dish. Garnish with a rosemary sprig (optional) and serve immediately with assorted crackers.

CRANBERRY BRIE PECAN PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Beat trimmed Brie on medium until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes., On a lightly floured surface, unfold 1 sheet puff pastry; spread half the Brie to within 1/2 in. of edges. Spread half the cranberry sauce over Brie. Starting with a short side, roll up jelly-roll style. Cut crosswise into 12 slices. Place pastries on parchment-lined baking sheets. Whisk egg with water; brush over slices. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Repeat with remaining puff pastry. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

CRANBERRY RUM BRIE

Steps:

• Mix cranberry sauce, sugar, rum or extract and nutmeg.
• Remove rind from TOP of brie only, leaving 1/4-inch edge. (Leave sides and bottom of Brie intact) and place in an ovenproof dish.
• Spoon cranberry mixture on top and sprinkle with pecans.
• Bake in a 450°F preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese softens.
• Transfer to a serving plate and surround with crackers or bread slices.