Baked Brie Bites with Carmelized Apple Recipe – Sunday Supper in Maine

No matter how many times we travel to Maine, there is always something new to discover.  This trip it was a beautiful cove in the historic community of Ducktrap.  Thanks to detailed directions from our innkeepers, we found this lovely, secluded cove where locals go clamming and fishing.

It was a soft, grey day with the color of the season more subtle and yet more poignant than the day before.  Pine trees clung to sheer rock as if to acknowledge that Maine is “where the mountains meet the sea.”

Continuing on our journey, we began to roam back hills and small towns that we had not yet visited.  We stopped at the Petunia Pump which at one time, many years ago, must have supplied the village with water.  Have you ever had the privilege of pumping your own water?  I have! Years ago during a severe drought when our cistern had run dry, we had to travel miles with our jugs and were grateful that a pump like this was still working.  Proof that this city girl was once a country kid.

We found a tree where apples were still clinging to branches.  In Autumn I look to the apple harvest for a key ingredient in one of my quick and easy recipes for appetizers.  I have to say that I do cheat when it comes to the preparation…I use prepackaged fillo shells which makes this a recipe my “go to”  when I want something tasty, but I’m in a pinch for time.  Also, these are perfect to make ahead.  Just pop them in the oven minutes before your guests arrive.

Please don’t be intimidated about caramelizing apples.  It’s actually very easy.  A bit of butter, a sprinkle of sugar, fruit. Stir and watch it happen!

My trick is to bake the shells for 3 minutes before I stuff them with creamy cheese and caramelized fruit. They’ll look like this.

Pop a small piece of brie approximately 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch into the pre-baked shell.

Plop on a bit of fruit.

Pop back into the oven for 5 to 8 minutes.

Baked Brie Bites with Caramelized Apple Recipe

Yield: 15 pieces - 5 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

A fast, easy and delicious appetizer, perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

1 box mini fillo shells (15 per box)
1 - 3 inch wedge of high quality brie, approximately 1/3 lb., cut into 1/2 x 1/2 inch pieces
1 large apple (I use Honeycrisp)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (can substitute brown sugar)
Pinch cinnamon and/or nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Caramelize Apples:

Peel and cube apple into approximately 1/4 inch pieces.
Melt butter in a medium pan.
Add apple cubes and sprinkle with sugar and spices. Stir occasionally, for about 10 minutes till apples are a golden, caramel color. See photo.

I like the shells to be very crisp and golden, so I pre-bake the shells for just a few minutes before adding the filling.

Place shells on baking sheet. Bake for approximately 3 - 4 minutes. Remove from oven.

Pop brie into shells and top with caramelized apples. See photo.

Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until brie is hot and melting.

Serve immediately.

Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Posted in Observations, Recipes, Travel

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