On the 6th Day of Christmas

This is my favorite holiday appetizer. And, the most requested recipe I have. I let the bakery slice the baguette. Toast the slices in the oven if you choose. Or not. I dare you to try this and not love it.

Wintertime Brie

3/4 cups chopped dates
1 small apple, pealed, cored and chopped
1 small pear, pealed, cored and chopped
1/2 cup cranberries or craisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup apple juice or wine
2 lb wheel of brie
1 baguette, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, combine dates, apple, pear, cranberries and pecans. Add wine or apple juice. Set mixture aside to allow fruit to marinate and soften for at least 2 hours.

Cut Brie wheel in half horizontally to make two layers. Place one layer, rind-side down, in a serving dish. Spread with 2-1/4 cups of the fruit mixture. Place remaining half of Brie on top of fruit with rind-side facing up to enclose the fruit. Spoon remaining fruit mixture onto center top of Brie Wheel. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to two days.

Bake Brie, uncovered, in a 350 oven until it melts and the edges and the center is warm, approximately 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook as it will be runny and difficult to spread.

To serve, spread melted Brie onto sliced Baguette.