Easy Holiday Appetizer

Hello Friends! Today I’m sharing an easy holiday appetizer with you, and it just so happens to be my favorite! Whether you are hosting a holiday get together, or going to one, and you need an easy, yet crowd-pleasing appetizer, this one is sure to do the trick! Plus I’m teaming up with some blogging friends who are also sharing some holiday recipes, that you are going to want to try out as well! 

This recipe came from my love for actually two different appetizers. Growing up, my mom used to always put this appetizer out, because it was tasty and super quick to make. She would place a block of room temperature cream cheese on a platter, top it with red pepper jelly and serve it with cracker, and you’re done! And let me tell you it is delicious! And usually the one thing people can’t walk away from. Well, baked brie just happens to be probably my most favorite appetizer ever! In any form, and a friend once brought it to my house for a holiday get together. It was stuffed with some fruit concoction, and wrapped in crescent roll dough, and baked until it was gooey goodness! Well I loved it so much, I thought to myself – “why not combine both?”. I’ll take the flavors I love from the appetizer my mom always made – with the red pepper jelly, and the warm, flaky goodness of the baked brie, and combine then! 

And, thus my favorite appetizer was born. Now I’m not saying this is the only version, there are probably some others out there, but this was just how I came up with it! 

Every time I make it, people love the unexpected sweetness of the jelly, with a hint of spice, that is calmed down by the creamy brie cheese. And who doesn’t love the flaky goodness of crescent rolls. 

It goes together quicker than you think, and then you just throw it in the oven.

Here’s how : 

Step 1 : Place half the crescent roll dough on parchment paper, then lightly press seams together. 

Step 2 : Place brie cheese wheel in the center of the dough, then top with an even layer of red pepper jelly. 

Step 3 : Place remaining half of crescent roll dough on top of brie cheese, and press the edges together. 

You can go as simple or fancy with this step. This time around I chose to separate my remaining 4 crescent roll pieces, and attach them at each corner. Then where they met in the middle I rolled them around each other creating a sort of rose bud top with the dough. I folded up the remaining bottom portion of the dough, making sure my brie was securely covered inside. 

Ingredients : 

• 1 {13 oz} Brie Wheel
• 1 {8 oz.} Crescent roll tube
• 1 jar Red-Pepper Jelly
• 1 egg
• Crackers & apple slices for seriving

Directions : 

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll the crescent roll pastry, and place half on a parchment lined baking sheet.. Press seams together slightly.
• Place the brie wheel in the center and spread the red pepper jelly on top in an even layer.
• Place remaining half of crescent roll dough on top of the brie, crimping the top together and sealing the edges. 
• Whisk egg and brush the egg wash on the dough pastry covered brie.
• Place in the oven to bake for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Top with 3-4 spoonfuls of red pepper jelly and serve with crackers and/or apple slices.

While my brie is baking I get my platter ready. Grab any serving platter, and to make it festive for the holidays I like to add a little “greenery” around the edges. I tuck in sprigs of rosemary for an extra holiday touch, and then place crackers around the edge. 

Once my brie comes out of the oven, I let it rest for just a few minutes, but not too long, because you don’t want it to start to harden again. I place my brie on a salad plate, and then place the plate in the center of my platter. *TIP – I found that this helps the crackers not get soggy from the jelly and over flow of the warm brie. *

Now take a look at some more great holiday recipes my friends are sharing : 

How to Make Mulled Wine (Glühwein Recipe) at The Happy HousieDIY Colonial Gingerbread House at Sincerely, Marie DesignsChristmas Wreath Veggie Pizza at Clean & ScentsibleHomemade Egg Nog at Town and Country Living Easy Holiday Appetizer at Rooms FOR Rent

Secret Ingredient Gingerbread Cookies at Jenna Kate at HomeSnowball Cookies at Finding Silver PenniesEasy Gluten Free Shortbread with White Chocolate and Toffee at Home Made LovelyBrown Butter Sugar Cookies with Chocolate GanacheThe Best One Hour Orange Rolls at Summer Adams Designs

Cake Mix Quick Bread Recipe at On Sutton PlaceBest Waffle Recipe Ever at The DIY MommyThe Most Chocolatey Hot Chocolate Cookies at A Pretty LifeEggnog Bread Recipe at Tauni EverettInstant Pot Ham at TIDBITS Marci

Toblerone Shortbread with Browned Flour at Life is a PartySpicy Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies at Modern GlamChristmas Tree Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Toppers at The Turquoise HomeEasy Creme Brule for the Holidays at Hallstrom Home