Fig Brie and Thyme Braid

Keeping a box of puff pastry in the freezer is a good idea. Puff pastry is so versatile and easy to use and today’s recipe is no exception. Fig Brie and Thyme Braid is a flavorful and savory sweet concoction that makes an elegant appetizer for a special dinner or party. There is not much that can go wrong with fruit, cheese, and herbs in pastry. This simple throw together appetizer uses puff pastry, fig preserves, Brie cheese, and fresh thyme. It looks hard, but really isn’t and will impress people.

I like to serve it with pear or apple slices along the sides. Fresh thyme sprigs are also pretty. Keep a knife along side it, so people can take slices as they wish.

Fig Brie and Thyme braid

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

3/4 cups of fig preserves

1 8-9 ounce round of Brie cheese cut into slices (rind removed)

Fresh thyme plus optional thyme sprigs for garnish

Finishing salt (optional, or use sea salt)

1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. of water (for wash)

Optional: fresh pear or apple slices for garnishes

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll the puff pastry out on a floured surface to approximately 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Transfer the pastry to a large, parchment lined baking sheet. Make 2 inch cuts every inch along both sides of the pastry (see pictures for reference). Don’t make the cuts too deep, but leave space for the preserves and cheese. Also, if the cuts are too deep then preserves and cheese will leak out.

Down the middle of the pastry spread the fig preserves. On top of the preserves place cheese slices. Starting at top fold down end of pastry and “braid pastry as shown in pictures. Once the braid is closed brush the entire thing with the egg wash. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and finishing salt. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes. Serve.

Intermittently braid the pastry by placing alternating strips diagonally across preserves.

Carefully, remove parchment from pastry and transfer to desired serving plate.

Garnish with fresh fruit and thyme sprigs.

Enjoy!