A classic appetizer gets a new take with Tart Cherry Spread from The Gracious Gourmet. Gooey baked brie mixes with the bright flavor of the tart cherries. Serve it with fruit, crackers and a knife. And guests are ready to dig in!

Tart Cherry Spread works well for this recipe because it's alway ready to serve with your favorite cheese for a match made in heaven. The sweet and tangy flavors of the spread complement the creamy richness of cheese, creating a perfect balance of tastes. Flaky pastry dough makes it feel extra special. Even when you don't have time to bake the brie, this spread is great on crackers or bread to provide a delightful combination of flavors.

ingredients

• 1 (approx. 13 oz) round of Brie, cold
• 1/2 jar of Tart Cherry Spread
• 1 lb package of frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 Beaten egg

instructions

1. On a lightly floured surface, lay out one piece of puff pastry and roll it slightly with a rolling pin to even out the cracks. Be sure there are no holes in the pastry so cheese can’t leak out.
2. Approximate the size of dough you will need to wrap the cheese, including enough to overlap across the bottom. Cut off the excess dough and save for decoration (if desired).
3. In the middle of this dough, spoon on a circle of Apple Sweet Cherry Jam the size of the round of cheese. Place the cheese directly on top of jam.
4. Wrap the pastry dough around the sides and over the bottom of the cheese. Make a neat little package completely encasing the cheese and brush inside the bottom flaps with the beaten egg. Press with your fingers to seal the pastry flaps. Turn over the entire package and brush the top and sides with more of the beaten egg. You can even decorate the top with bits of the leftover dough. It will adhere to the wet egg wash. Place the wrapped cheese into the refrigerator until ready to bake. This can be done hours or even the day before you intend to bake it.
5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place the wrapped cheese on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. Bake about 15 minutes or until the pastry is a nice golden color. Serve at once while the pastry is hot and the cheese is runny with crackers and sliced fruit. 

One Brie will serve 4 to 6 persons, and two will serve 8 to 12.