Best 4 Paula Deens Cranberry Brie Recipes

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.

BRIE EN CROUTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 °F.
• Defrost 1 sheet of puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold (place remaining sheet in freezer for later use). Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté walnuts in butter until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon and stir until walnuts are well coated. Place walnuts on top of Brie and sprinkle brown sugar on top of nuts.
• Lay the puff pastry out on a flat surface. Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Gather up the edges of the brie, pressing around the brie and gather at the top. Gently squeeze together the excess dough and tie together with a piece of kitchen twine. Brush the beaten egg over top and side of Brie. Place Brie on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden brown.

BAKED BRIE WITH QUICK CRANBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly caramelized, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add the cranberries, orange juice, sugar and salt, then stir and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is very thick and the liquid in the pan has completely evaporated. Stir in the orange zest and transfer to a small bowl to cool completely. (The jam may be made up to 1 day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.)
• When you are ready to bake the brie, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Working quickly, unfold the sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured piece of parchment. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll it out to an 11-by-11-inch square (the pastry should be about 1/8-inch thick). Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Use a paring knife, and leaving a 3 to 3 1/2-inch border, trim the pastry to form a circle around the brie. Discard the scraps or save them for another use.
• Spoon the reserved cranberry jam on top of the brie, spreading it into an even layer about 1/4-inch thick. (You might not use all the jam.)
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the pastry border lightly with egg wash, then lift the puff pastry to wrap the brie snugly, one side at a time, trimming the pastry so you don't have too many overlapping layers. Press all sides of the brie firmly, making sure to tightly seal any seams in the pastry with your hands. Transfer the puff-pastry wrapped brie and the parchment to a sheet pan. At this point, if the pastry has warmed up considerably, place the brie in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill slightly before baking. (You can assemble the brie up to this point and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before brushing on the egg wash and baking.)
• Brush the whole exterior of the pastry generously with egg wash, then bake until the pastry has puffed and is golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
• Drizzle the brie with honey and sprinkle with pistachios, if using. Allow to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into it, so the cheese has time to firm up slightly. Serve warm with baguette slices or crackers.

PAULA DEEN'S BRIE EN CROUTE #2

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Defrost 1 sheet of puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold (place remaining sheet in freezer for later use).
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Saute nuts in butter until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes.
• Place nuts on top of Brie and spread jam on top of nuts.
• Gently roll pastry with a rolling pin to increase the size of the sheet 1 to 2 inches in each direction.
• Brush both sides of the sheet with beaten egg.
• Center the wheel of Brie on top of the pastry sheet.
• Bring all four corners of the sheet together above Brie and twist slightly to form a "bundle."
• Tie gathered pastry with kitchen/cooking string (tie string in the form of a bow), arranging pastry until you are satisfied with the "bundle" shape.
• Place "bundle" on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until pastry is golden brown.
• Serve with top-quality crackers.