Baked Brie en Croûte with Apple Compote

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1 Tbs unsalted butter
2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1 round Brie cheese, 6 to 8 oz. and about 4 1/2 inches wide, slightly chilled
10-inch round puff pastry dough, rolled out to 1/4-inch thickness
1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbs water

In a 2-quart sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apples and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and have released most of their liquid, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the sugar and cardamom, stir to dissolve and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 12 to 15 minutes more. Remove from the heat and let the apple compote cool to room temperature.

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat liner.

With a sharp knife, cut the cheese in half horizontally. On a clean work surface, place one half of the cheese, sliced side up, and evenly spread 1/2 cup of the apple compote over it. Set the other half, sliced side down, over the compote and spread 1/2 cup compote over the top.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and set the cheese in the center of the dough. Fold the dough up over the sides of the cheese, pleating the upper edges to fit snugly around the cheese. Pinch the dough together in the center to seal.   Note: Here you can cut the top of the gathered dough and use the excess dough for garnish on top of the pastry.    Brush the dough evenly with the egg wash and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake until the pastry is golden all over and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes before eating.   Serve any remaining compote alongside with crackers (also delicious without any crackers) and pair it with a glass of wine – or two.

Quick.  Easy.  Delicious.   Elegant!

Prepare up to 2 Weeks in Advance

This can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.  If making in advance, assemble without the egg wash and wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze.    When you’re ready to use, brush the frozen pastry with egg wash and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.