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Baked Brie En Croute with Apples and Pecans – WellPlated.com
Golden, flaky dough wrapped around warm, oozing brie with a center of butter sauteed apples, shower of toasted pecans, and drizzle of honey—if that description of Brie En Croute with Apples and Pecans didn’t just sell you, then its ease of prep and crowd-captivating status will!
This recipe is sponsored by ALDI.
It’s a law of social gathering that no matter what other appetizers you set out for a party, the baked brie will be the first demolished.
Fortunately for the busy host(ess), baked brie is make-ahead friendly, saving you stress on an already busy prep day (for example, I’ll make a double batch of these Brie Bites, then keep half in the freezer and bake them right before guests arrive).
From deciding the menu to time management (both of which this easy baked brie en croute helps solve!), hosting holiday dinners is stressful.
One of the biggest pain points is budget.
That’s why this holiday season, I’m excited to be working with ALDI again, where you can find quality products at a lower price point.
This year is especially exciting because ALDI is doing a “Thanksgiving Rewind.” The prices for many Thanksgiving favorites like apps, sides, and desserts have been dialed back all the way to 2019*!
Retro has never looked so good.
From produce to baking essentials to drinks, you can find everything you need for Thanksgiving at ALDI and save in the process!
This baked brie en croute is made exclusively with ALDI ingredients. My friends loved it.
The gala apples and Southern Grove Chopped Pecans were both “rewind” products (2019 pricing), and I also saved on the other items I purchased at ALDI, like the crescent rolls used to wrap the brie and the baguette for serving it.
How to Make Baked Brie En Croute
Of all the ways to serve brie, baked brie en croute is the most show-stopping of them all.
En croute means “in pastry.”
It refers to the method of wrapping the brie in a layered pastry dough, then baking it until the pastry is golden and flaky and the brie is warm and oozy inside.
It’s heaven.
From there, you can add a variety of other ingredients to vary it up (brie en croute with fig jam is popular, for example).
For the total W-O-W package that the holidays deserve, however, this apple honey pecan version of brie en croute is spectacular.
I served our brie en croute with toasted baguette slices and apple slices, but by the end, we were going at it directly with forks (and ok, you caught me—with our fingers too!).
The Ingredients
- Emporium Selection Brie Cheese Round. Rich and buttery, brie is the ultimate crowd-pleasing cheese. Once baked, it turns ooey-gooey and perfectly spreadable.
- Bake House Creations Crescent Rolls. Using prepared crescent roll dough makes this recipe quick and easy (it’s delicious too!).
- Specially Selected Raw Honey. Naturally sweetens the brie en croute. Plus, honey tastes wonderful with apples and pecans.
- Southern Grove Chopped Pecans. Buttery pecans add crunch and nuttiness to the dish.
- Gala Apples. Sweet, juicy apple chunks taste scrumptious with the gooey brie cheese and crunchy pecans.
- Stonemill Ground Sage. Adds earthiness and warmth to the apple mixture.
- Egg. Egg and water create an egg wash that helps the crescent roll dough become crisp on the outside.
The Directions
- Sauté the apples with honey and butter. Let cool.
- Toast the pecans. Slice the brie in half horizontally.
- Spread one of the brie slices with half of the apples.
- Add half of the pecans.
- Lay the other brie half on top, sliced side down.
- Unroll the dough and pinch the seams to create two large squares.
- Place the brie in the center of one of the squares.
- Drape the second square over the brie.
- Pull the corners of the bottom square up and over the brie to wrap it.
- Brush with eggwash. Bake brie en croute for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees F, rotating 180 degrees halfway through. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve the baked brie en croute with apples, honey, and pecans on top. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 1 day.
- To Reheat. Rewarm brie in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
Meal Prep Tip
You can prepare this baked brie en croute up to 2 weeks in advance. Assemble the pastry with the apples and brie as directed, but do not add the egg wash. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze it for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to bake, unwrap and place it (still frozen) on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with the egg wash and bake at 350 degrees F until the brie is hot and the pastry is golden, about 45 to 50 minutes.
What to Serve with Baked Brie En Croute
- Specially Selected Baguette. Toasted or untoasted, baguette slices are always a hit with baked brie.
- Crackers. Another pairing that’s certain to please.
- Apple Slices. Crisp, juicy, sweet apple slices will pair perfectly with this appetizer.
- Southern Grove Chopped Pecans. Serve this baked brie with a few extra pecans for an added crunch.
- Apricots. Dried fruit like apricots tastes wonderful with baked brie.
- Jam. For those who enjoy a little extra sweetness, serving jam alongside the brie is ideal. Fig jam would be scrumptious!
- Pretzel Crisps. Sturdy and salty, these are a great addition or alternative to traditional crackers.
- Roasted Garlic. Sweet Roasted Garlic would be delicious with this appetizer.
- Appleton Farms Prosciutto. Enjoy this baked brie with some sweet and salty prosciutto.
En croute all the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Trim the Rind off of Brie Before Baking?
The rind of brie is mild and perfectly edible. While you can trim it for a cheeseboard if you like, for baked brie, leave it on to help the wheel hold together.
How Can I Use Leftover Brie En Croute?
Scoop out some of the leftover brie, apples, and pecans, then use them for a truly delicious grilled cheese. Or, you can dice up the entire brie en croute and add it to a salad (Beet Salad or Winter Salad would be tasty options).
Can I Swap the Apples for Something Else?
If you can’t find apples or prefer to use a different fruit, you can swap them for pears instead.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium Gala apples peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
- 1 tablespoon Specially Selected Raw Honey plus additional for drizzling
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch Stonemill Ground Sage
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel Emporium Selection Brie Cheese Round cold from the refrigerator
- 1 can Bake House Creations Crescent Roll Dough
- 1 large egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water to create an egg wash
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped Southern Grove Chopped Pecans
- Crackers or Specially Selected Baguette slices, toasted for serving (or just eat it with a fork)
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In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, honey, salt, and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften and most of the liquid has cooked away, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
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When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast the pecans until they are darkened and fragrant (watch carefully so they do not burn!), about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately transfer the pecans to a small bowl or plate. Shake any pecan dust off the paper and return it to the pan (no need to wash it), then line it with parchment paper and keep handy.
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With a sharp knife, cut the brie in half horizontally through its center. Lift off the top and set it aside with the rind-side down and the gooey, cut-side up.
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Evenly spread one of the cut sides with about 1/2 cup of the sauteed apples.
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Sprinkle with half of the pecans.
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Place the other half of the brie back on top, sliced side down so you create a bit brie sandwich.
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Unroll the crescent dough and gently separate a seam such that you have 2 large, evenly sized squares. Pinch the inner seams of each square together. If any holes form, gently pinch them closed (don’t worry if there are a few small ones; you’ll have another chance at them).
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Set the brie in the center of one square.
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Place the second square on top of the brie. Some of the dough will overlap.
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Lift one corner of the bottom square up and over the top, then press gently to adhere. Working in a circle, lift up the next corner, pleating as you go. Continue all the way around until the brie is fully wrapped. Pinch together any holes. If at any point, the dough becomes tricky to handle, pop it into the refrigerator for a few minutes. (At this point, you can refrigerate or freeze it to bake later). Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the top and sides all over with egg wash. If desired, use your dough scraps to decorate the top, then brush the scraps with egg wash (have fun with it! We’ll be adding apples on top later anyway, so don’t stress).
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Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the top and sides all over with egg wash.
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Bake the brie until the pastry is golden all over and crisp, about 25 minutes, rotating 180 degrees halfway through. Let it rest for 10 minutes (it’s hard to wait, but if you don’t the cheese will completely run everywhere). Transfer to a serving plate. Top with the remaining apples. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with the remaining pecans. Slice and enjoy with crackers and/or baguette slices.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare this baked brie en croute up to 2 weeks in advance. Assemble the pastry with the apples and brie as directed, but do not add the egg wash. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze it for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to bake, unwrap the pastry and place it (still frozen) on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with the egg wash, and bake at 350 degrees F until the brie is hot and the pastry is golden, about 45 to 50 minutes.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 1 day.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm brie in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
Serving: 1(of 8)Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 8gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 55mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 1mg
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More Delicious Holiday Appetizers
*2019 Thanksgiving Price Rewind on select ALDI products based on average retail at ALDI from November 2–29, 2019. Available in store and online from November 2-19, 2022. Taxes and online and delivery fees not included. Products with reduced prices are marked with the Thanksgiving Price Rewind icon. Prices for other Thanksgiving-related products may be higher than 2019 prices at ALDI. Wine and beer available at select ALDI stores.
This post is sponsored by ALDI. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the brands and companies who support Well Plated and make it possible for me to continue to create high quality content for you! For recipe inspiration and to learn more, visit ALDI’s blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.
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