Halloween Mummy Brie Appetizer (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 (8-ounce) wheel of brie cheese
02 - 2 tablespoons apple or pumpkin butter (or your favorite fruit preserve)
03 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but still cold
04 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
05 - 2 small pieces of red bell pepper, cut into small rounds for the eyes
06 - 2 sliced black olives for the pupils
07 - Fresh green apple slices, for serving
08 - Assorted crackers, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or prepare a piece of parchment on a cutting board. Now for the brie preparation: using a sharp serrated knife, carefully cut a shallow ring around the top of the wheel of brie. This will create a "lid" that you can remove. Once you've cut the ring, turn your knife parallel to the board and gently slice off the top rind. Take care not to cut too deep – you just want to remove the rind while leaving the cheese intact. If some of the cheese sticks to the removed rind, gently scrape it off and return it to the wheel.
02 - Spread the apple or pumpkin butter evenly over the exposed cheese surface where you removed the rind. The slight tanginess of these fruit butters pairs perfectly with the creamy brie! If using jam or preserves instead, choose one that complements the cheese – raspberry, fig, or apricot all work beautifully. Once filled, place the rind "lid" back on top of the brie. This helps contain the filling when the cheese melts during baking.
03 - Unroll your sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the pastry into approximately 8 strips, each about ½-¾ inch wide. You want the strips thin enough to look like bandages but thick enough that they won't disappear when they puff up during baking. Keep in mind that puff pastry works best when it's cold, so if your kitchen is warm or the pastry starts to feel too soft, pop it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before continuing.
04 - Here's where the fun begins! Place your filled brie wheel in the center of your prepared parchment paper. Take the strips of puff pastry and begin wrapping them around the brie in a random pattern to resemble a mummy's bandages. Leave a small area near the top unwrapped – this will be the mummy's "face" where you'll place the eyes. Tuck the ends of each strip under the bottom of the brie to secure them. You don't need to completely cover the cheese; having some gaps between the "bandages" actually enhances the mummy effect and allows you to see some of the golden cheese as it bakes.
05 - Once your brie is wrapped to your liking, it's time to give your mummy some personality! Place two small rounds of red bell pepper where you want the eyes to be. Then top each pepper piece with a slice of black olive to create pupils. Press them gently into the exposed cheese so they stay in place during baking. These simple additions transform your wrapped brie from a typical appetizer into a festive Halloween character!
06 - In a small bowl, beat the egg with 2 teaspoons of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the egg wash over all the puff pastry strips. This will give your mummy a beautiful golden color as it bakes. If your puff pastry has warmed up significantly during the wrapping process, place the prepared mummy brie in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. Cold puff pastry creates better layers and puffs more dramatically when baked.
07 - Transfer the parchment with your mummy brie onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and fully cooked. Keep an eye on it – you want the pastry to be beautifully golden, but you don't want the cheese to melt so much that it oozes out completely. The brie inside should be soft and warm but still contained within its rind and pastry wrapping.
08 - Allow the mummy brie to cool for just 5 minutes before transferring it to a serving platter. This brief rest helps the melted cheese set slightly so it doesn't completely run out when cut. Arrange sliced green apples and an assortment of crackers around the mummy. The tartness of green apples pairs wonderfully with the warm, creamy brie and sweet filling. For a complete presentation, add some small clusters of grapes, dried cranberries, or roasted nuts around the base of the mummy. Serve while still warm so guests can enjoy the gooey, melted center!

# Notes:

01 - This festive appetizer is perfect for Halloween parties but can be adapted for any fall gathering by changing the decorative elements.
02 - The combination of creamy brie with sweet fruit filling and buttery pastry creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
03 - For best results, make sure your puff pastry is cold when it goes into the oven – this ensures the maximum puff and flakiness.
04 - If serving as part of a larger cheese board, this mummy brie makes an impressive centerpiece surrounded by other cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers.

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