At Last it's Christmas

The holiday is upon us. Windows are decorated. Candles are lit. Friends gather. Laughter fills the air. What better time to enjoy a rich, melty, cheesy, treat. I love warm brie. There are few things that entice me to make the yummy noise more than this dish. I often wrap a trimmed brie wheel with puff pastry and bake it until the center is molten. Lately, I have been baking the brie naked- with just a dressing of dried fruit and a sprinkle of maple sugar. Either way you slice it- you'll be singing it's praises.
Baked Brie with Dried Cherries
Unbelievably easy and rich, an elegant addition to your dinner party.
1 wheel Brie cheese (6-8 inches in diameter)
3/4 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit of your choice
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans or other nuts of your choice (Optional)
2 Tablespoons pure maple sugar
Unwrap the Brie. Place the wheel on its side on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, trim off the top layer of rind until the cheese is visible.
Set the wheel, trimmed side up, in a cast iron pan. Mound the top of the cheese with the cherries (and nuts if you like). Sprinkle with the maple sugar. Place in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is bubbly- about 20 minutes. Be careful that the fruit and nuts do not burn.
Carefully remove from the oven and set on a large wooden cutting board. Serve right out of the oven with bread rounds or crackers.

This recipe is one we have made for years. It guarantees that Santa will discover the way to your chimney.
Magic Christmas Dust
Just in case you want to be double triple sure that Santa finds your chimney, mix up a batch of Magic Christmas Dust. Sprinkle it outside your door and the starlight will illuminate a path to your rooftop. The Reindeer will smell the oats and Santa will know just where to land.
1 cup oats
1 teaspoon glitter
1 teaspoon sequins or other sparkly things
Place all ingredients in a bowl. Stir gently until completely combined- saying "Thank You Santa, Thank You Santa!". Sprinkle outside your door- and be sure to say, "Merry Christmas Santa!" Make enough to share with your friends.
Merry Christmas!

Baked Brie with Dried Cherries and Maple Sugar

Be careful with this one! If you serve it to hungry guests as an appetizer they might not leave room for dinner. Its outstanding with a soup and salad for a delicious meal.
Ingredients:
6” wheel of brie
1 sheet of puff pastry at room temperature
1/2 c dried cherries
2 T crumbled maple sugar
1/2 c rough chopped pecans or pinenuts (optional)
water
Place a piece of waxed paper or parchment on your work surface.
Unwrap and unfold your puff pastry sheet. Press any cracks to seal pastry into a whole sheet.
Sprinkle the maple sugar in the center of the pastry and smooth out to the size of the wheel of brie.
Mound the dried cherries and pecans on top of the sugar.
Gently place the brie upside down on top of the fruit and nuts.
One by one carefully pull the corners of the puff pastry up onto the brie. Use a touch of water when you place the pastry corners on top of each other to seal. After the four corners are touching- encasing the cheese- trim the four sides if you need, so they will not be too bulky. Save the trimmings. Now carefully pull the sides down to fully encase the brie.
Use the trimmings to decorate the top. You can slice long thin triangles and roll them up from one point. Dab a bit of water on the top of the brie with your finger and gently press your decorations on.
Bake in a 400’ oven according to the puff pastry package directions. 30 minutes is usually enough. Bake until golden brown.
Serve with a knife and crackers or bread rounds.