Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie Appetizer
As Halloween approaches, we all seek that perfect recipe that will make our gatherings memorable. Look no further because we have a unique, flavorsome, and visually appealing suggestion for you – a Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie Appetizer.
This appetizer is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Not only is this recipe perfect for Halloween but also a great choice for Thanksgiving. By swapping apricot jam for cranberry, you can instantly transition it to a Thanksgiving treat.
Lets dive in to see how to create this simple yet impressive appetizer.
Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie Recipe:
Choose your Flavors
What makes this appetizer so mouthwatering is the combination of apricot jam and a layer of pecans or walnuts beneath the brie.
You have the flexibility to select your preferred jam flavor, with options like fig jam or various fruit flavors.
Likewise, you can choose between pecans and walnuts according to your taste.
Quick and Easy Preparation
The best part is that this dish is quick and easy to prepare, thanks to puff pastry. To get started:
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out a sheet of puff pastry and cut the largest possible circle around the wheel of brie.
- Add Jam and Nuts: Place your brie in the center of the pastry circle and spread the jam and nuts evenly around it.
- Fold the Pastry: Fold the sides of the pastry up to meet in the middle.
Shaping Your Pumpkin Brie
To create the pumpkin-like appearance, use kitchen twine to tie the pastry-covered brie with slight pressure at intervals of about an inch.
This will create indentations resembling the lines on a pumpkin.
Flip the pastry-wrapped brie over, ensuring that all the twine meets at the bottom, and trim off the excess. Then, give it a beautiful touch with an egg wash.
Adding the Pumpkin Touch
For a charming pumpkin appearance, you can tint your egg wash with orange food coloring.
Brush the brie generously with the orange egg wash and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until it turns a lovely golden brown.
This extended baking time ensures your brie becomes delightfully ooey and gooey.
Complete The Pumpkin Look
Once your baked brie has cooled, gently remove the strings. Take care to avoid pulling off the pastry.
To complete the pumpkin look, add a sizable stem from a bell pepper. Secure the stem by inserting it into a toothpick and then placing it in the center of the brie.
This will prevent it from toppling over.
Your Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie Appetizer is ready to be served.
Serve and Enjoy!
Place your masterpiece on a serving platter with crackers or bread slices surrounding it. You can also add some fruits, like apples and pears, as well as some nuts for added crunch.
The combination of creamy brie, sweet jam, and crunchy nuts creates a perfect balance of flavors.
So, serve your Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie Appetizer at your next Halloween or Thanksgiving gathering and impress your guests with this unique and delicious treat. Happy feasting!
Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Piece of Parchment Paper
- 1 Pastry Brush
Ingredients
- 1 Wheel Brie**
- 1 Sheet Puff Pastry
- 1/4 Cup Apricot Jam Or any flavor of your choice
- 2 TB Chopped Pecans or Walnuts
Garnish
- 1 Egg White
- 3 Drops Orange Food Coloring
- 1 Large Stem from a Bell Pepper
Instructions
- Remove the rind from your brie by gently slicing the rind off from all sides. You do not have to remove the rind but it makes it melt better
- Center the brie on the pastry and cut large circle of puff pastry around the brie wheel
- Lift the brie and add your jam and nuts then place the brie back on top
- Pull up the sides of the circle of pastry to enclose the brie and pinch the edges together so the form the pumpkin
- Take 2 ft long strings of kitchen twine and wrap around the brie every inch or so so that it's tight enough to leave indentations to resemble the rind of a pumpkin
- Tie all in the middle and cut off excess twine then flip the brie over and place on parchment lined baking sheet
- Mix egg white with orange food coloring and brush the pumpkin completely
- Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes
- Once slightly cooled add your "pumpkin stem" and serve
