Our Artisan Brie Baked Pumpkin

Enjoy the delightful combination of the warm, creamy brie cheese and the flaky, golden pastry in the shape of a charming pumpkin. It's the perfect appetiser for your Halloween gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 Cheshire Cheese Company Artisan Brie
• 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed)
• 1 egg (beaten - for egg wash)
• 1 small cinnamon stick (optional - for decoration)
• Fresh sage or rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
• Crackers, crusty bread, or sliced veggies (for serving)

Method

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Prepare the Cheshire Cheese: Unwrap the brie and place it in the centre of the puff pastry sheet, cut a circle around the pastry and remove any excess pastry.
2. Wrap the Cheese: Carefully fold the puff pastry over the cheese, creating a pumpkin-like shape. Tie the pastry and cheese with string to form 8 triangles.
3. Decorate the Pumpkin
   1. Brush with Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg, then brush it over the entire surface of the pastry. This will give your baked Brie Pumpkin a beautiful golden colour.
   2. Bake the Pumpkin: Place the Brie Pumpkin on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
   3. Garnish: Once baked, carefully transfer to a serving platter. Remove the string carefully and use a knife to gently score lines on the pastry, resembling the lines of a pumpkin. This will give it a more realistic appearance. If you have a small cinnamon stick, you can insert it into the top of the "pumpkin" as a stem. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs to add a touch of greenery.
4. Serve: Serve your pumpkin with crackers, crusty bread, or sliced veggies for dipping.