CRANBERRY RASPBERRY BAKED BRIE in PUFF PASTRY with SPICED PECANS

Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Spiced Pecans

What could be better than Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Spiced Pecans?  Buttery, flaky pastry cocooning creamy and warm brie cheese, bursting with flavorful Cranberry Raspberry Sauce and caramelized spicy pecans is the most luxurious and rich appetizer ever – perfect for holiday entertaining or a quiet night by the fireplace!  So easy to make, impressively delicious, and incredibly good! 

Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Spiced Pecans

HOLIDAY APPETIZER SMORGASBORDS

This decadent crowd-pleasing Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry comes from our family tradition of a smorgasbord of appetizers on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - but it is equally a treat for football parties, or alongside your favorite holiday charcuterie board.  And if you want an appetizer to "WOW!" everyone, this is the one to make!  It disappears so fast that you might be tempted to make two for a larger group.

WHAT TASTES BEST TO SCOOP UP WARM & OOEY CREAMY CRANBERRY & RASPBERRY BAKED BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY?

• Raincoast Crisp Crackers (Hazelnut Cranberry and Rosemary Raisin Pecan are our favorites to serve with this!)
• Breton Cranberry Grain Crackers
• Buttery Crackers
• Fresh pear slices
• Fresh apple slices
• Artisanal Flatbread
• Pretzel crisps

Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Caramelized Pecans

WHAT ARE THE BEST BEVERAGES TO SERVE WITH THIS?

​Pick a few of your favorite adult beverages and you’ve got an instant party!  You can’t go wrong with a red and white, something dry and something sweet:

• A good Pinot Noir or Rose - bubbly is always good!
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Moscato
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
• For something special, serve with Winter Sangria, Hot Apple Cider or Spiced Wine!

Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Spiced Pecans

CRANBERRY RASPBERRY BAKED BRIE in PUFF PASTRY  with SPICED PECANS

What could be better than Cranberry Raspberry Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Spiced Pecans?  Buttery, flaky pastry cocooning creamy and warm brie cheese, bursting with flavorful Cranberry Raspberry Sauce and caramelized spicy pecans is the most luxurious and rich appetizer ever – perfect for holiday entertaining or a quiet night by the fireplace!  So easy to make, impressively delicious, and incredibly good!  
​

INGREDIENTS:
1 (12-14 oz.) wheel brie (rind on)
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from 17.3 oz. pkg.)

CARAMELIZED PECANS:
​1/3 cup whole pecans
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 egg (beaten with 1 teaspoon water)
 
CRANBERRY RASPBERRY SAUCE:
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
½ cup fresh raspberries
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons apple or pineapple juice 
¼ cup raspberry preserves
 
SERVE WITH:
Raincoast Crisp Crackers (Hazelnut Cranberry and Rosemary Raisin Pecan are our favorites to serve with this!)
Breton Cranberry Grain Crackers
Buttery Crackers
Fresh pear slices
Fresh apple slices
Artisanal Flatbread
Pretzel crisps
 
HOW I MAKE THIS:

1. PREPARE CRANBERRY RASPBERRY SAUCE:  Add fresh cranberries, fresh raspberries, sugar and apple (or pineapple) juice to a medium heavy saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until cranberries burst and mixture starts to thicken.  Remove from heat and stir in raspberry preserves.  Allow to cool to room temperature.
2. PREPARE CARAMELIZED PECANS:  Melt butter, brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and cook, stirring often until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to parchment paper until cool enough to chop.
3. PREPARE PUFF PASTRY:  Remove pastry from freezer to begin thawing (it should take around 40 minutes – check package for thawing instructions).
4. Freeze brie for 20 minutes to make slicing easier.  No need to remove the rind!  After brie has been in the freezer 20 minutes, remove and start cutting at the outside edge, holding your knife at a slight angle or slant so that you create a conical crater – centered at the outside edges of the brie and deeper in the center.
5. Lay the two brie halves next to each other, cut side up. Spoon ½ cup of Cranberry Raspberry Sauce into the piece of brie with the deeper hole, and spread into an even layer – adding more Cranberry Raspberry Sauce as necessary (you might not use all of the sauce). Evenly top with chopped Caramelized Pecans. Top the loaded brie with the right piece, cut side down so the rind is on the outside; set aside.
6. Lay thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and lightly dust with flour. Roll into a square approximately 11x11 inches. Place stuffed brie in the center of the puff pastry. Brush egg wash on puff pastry all around brie.  The egg wash is going to act like “glue” to hold everything together while it bakes.
7. Fold one edge of the dough over the brie and brush the top with egg wash. Fold up the opposite side then brush top dough with egg wash. Repeat with remaining edges until the brie is completely encased, trimming off excess dough edges as necessary.  
8. With the excess dough, I use small cookie cutters to create small pastry puff decorations to place on top of brie.  Press the dough together to make sure it is snug and sealed up tight all around. Brush the top and sides of the wrapped brie with egg wash.
9. Place the brie in the freezer for one hour – DON’T SKIP this step! After 45 minutes, preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the brie on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes OR until it is golden brown.  You may start to see a little bit of melted cheese leaking out from the bottom of the crust - you can be certain the cheese is nice and melty through and through! 
10. Let cool 10 minutes before servings with crackers, fruit, etc.  This will ensure the brie is nicely warm and melty but won't ooze everywhere or burn anyone.

​YIELD:  12 servings
 
RECIPE NOTES:
MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS: 

• The Caramelized Pecans can be prepared ahead of time – you might as well double the recipe as everyone loves munching on these!
• The Cranberry Raspberry Sauce can be prepared ahead of time – the sauce should be refrigerated until ready to use.
• The brie can be wrapped in pastry WITHOUT brushing the exterior in egg wash and kept refrigerated for up to a day. When ready to make, brush with egg wash, freeze for 1 hour and bake as directed.

Originally posted December 2016; revised and reposted December 2020.
 
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