Save A festive, elegantly wrapped brie cheese, baked in golden puff pastry shaped like a pine tree, filled with cranberry sauce and toasted pecans—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This recipe brings a classic French-inspired appetizer to my holiday table every year and never fails to impress guests.
Ingredients
- Dairy: 1 whole wheel of brie cheese (approx. 8 oz / 225 g)
- Pastry: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- Filling: 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce (whole berry or jam)
- Filling: 2 tablespoons toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- Topping: 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Topping: 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
- Topping: 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare pastry:
- Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. With a sharp knife, cut out a large triangle (pine tree shape) big enough to completely cover the brie wheel, and set aside the scraps.
- Assemble brie:
- Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Spread cranberry sauce on top of the brie and sprinkle with toasted pecans.
- Shape pastry:
- Fold the pastry over the brie, shaping it into a pine tree. Use the pastry scraps to cut out small triangles or strips to create branches and decorate the tree as desired.
- Brush and bake:
- Carefully transfer the wrapped brie to the prepared baking sheet. Brush all over with beaten egg.
- Add rosemary and bake:
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary if using, and bake for 20 25 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and drizzle:
- Cool for 10 minutes. Optionally, drizzle with honey before serving.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with crackers, apple slices, or fresh bread.
Save This festive dish has become a family tradition, bringing everyone together around the table during the holidays.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, sharp knife, pastry brush
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (brie cheese), egg, gluten (puff pastry), and tree nuts (pecans). For nut allergies, omit pecans. Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 230, Total Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 17 g, Protein 7 g
Save This brie en croûte pine tree is guaranteed to be the star appetizer at your holiday celebrations.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I substitute the cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can use fig or apricot preserves as alternatives to cranberry sauce for a different flavor profile.
- → What type of pastry is best for this dish?
Sheet puff pastry works best due to its flaky texture and ability to wrap easily around the brie.
- → How do I shape the pastry into a pine tree?
Cut a large triangle for the main shape and use leftover pastry to create branches and decorations on the surface.
- → Can this be prepared ahead of time?
You can assemble the pastry-wrapped brie and refrigerate before baking, but bake it just before serving for best texture.
- → Are there nut-free options?
Yes, simply omit the toasted pecans to make this suitable for those with nut allergies.
- → What wine pairs well with this dish?
Dry white wines or sparkling wine complement the creamy brie and tart cranberry flavors beautifully.