Cranberry Toasted Almond Brie En Croute Recipes

CRANBERRY & TOASTED ALMOND BRIE EN CROUTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Spread almonds in one layer on ungreased shallow baking pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden. Set aside.
• Reheat oven to 400°F.
• In small bowl whisk egg and water; set aside. Unfold pastry sheet on lightly floured surface into a 12-inch square. Cut off corners to make a circle.
• Spread cranberry sauce in center of circle the same size as Brie round. Top with 2 tablespoons each of cranberries and toasted almonds.
• Place Brie over mixture. Repeat layering with remaining cranberry sauce, cranberries and 2 tablespoons almonds.
• Brush edge of the circle with egg mixture. Fold pastry up over cheese to cover. Trim any excess pastry; press to seal. Brush seam with egg mixture. Place seam side up onto baking sheet.
• Brush with egg mixture; sprinkle with ¼ cup almonds that have been coarsely chopped.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is soft and just begins to melt. Allow pastry to cool 30 minutes before serving. Serve with assorted crackers.

PAULA DEEN'S CRANBERRY BRIE

Steps:

• Allow the puff pastry to thaw approximately 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 teaspoon water to make an egg wash. Set aside.
• Lightly flour a large cutting board. Roll out the pastry to a 14" square. Cut off the corners to make a modified circle shape, reserving the cut pieces to make decorative shapes later.
• Spread the apricot preserves on the circle of dough, leaving a 2" margin around the edges.
• Soak the dried cranberries in the orange juice for approx 5 minutes, until they have absorbed some liquid and softened. Drain the excess juice.
• Arrange the cranberries on top of the apricot preserves. Arrange the almonds evenly on the cranberries. Place the brie on top.
• Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg wash. Fold up to completely seal the brie in the pastry, using additional egg wash if necessary, and pinching to help "glue" the edges together.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet or spray with vegetable oil spray. Place the brie seam side down on the sheet. Use small cookie cutters to cut out decorative shapes from the leftover pastry and place on the top. Brush with remaining egg wash.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving plate. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving! If you cut into it too early, the cheese will run out onto your serving plate.
• Serve with water crackers.