Ingredients
Cheese and Topping
- 16 ounces Brie or Havarti cheese (choose your favorite)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed (or more, if desired)
Dough
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
Optional
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
- 4 apples, sliced right before serving (or serve with crackers)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the appetizer.
- Prepare the Cheese: Take the Brie or Havarti cheese and place it on one of the refrigerated pie crusts placed on a baking sheet.
- Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle the ½ cup of packed dark brown sugar evenly over the top of the cheese, adjusting the amount to your preferred sweetness.
- Wrap the Cheese: Cover the cheese with the second pie crust, pressing down edges to seal the cheese inside. You can trim any excess dough and crimp the edges for a neat seal.
- Optional Egg Wash: If desired, brush the top crust with the beaten egg to give the crust a shiny, golden finish after baking.
- Bake: Place the wrapped cheese on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool Slightly and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Slice apples just before serving to maintain freshness, and serve alongside the baked cheese with crackers if preferred.
Notes
- Use refrigerated pie crusts for easy preparation; homemade crusts can also be used if preferred.
- The brown sugar adds a lovely caramelized sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese.
- Serving with freshly sliced apples provides a fresh and crisp contrast, but crackers make a great alternative.
- Ensure the cheese is fully sealed inside the crust to prevent leakage during baking.
- Let the appetizer cool slightly before cutting to avoid burning from hot melted cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
