Bake brie is a super simple hors d'oeuvre or snack that looks much more complicated than it is. In this Maple Bacon Brie, I've increased the savory factor by sandwiching crumbly bacon and real maple syrup between two halves of brie before baking it in a puff pastry shell. Enjoy it at your next May Day celebration or any time.

This instructable is entered into the Bacon and Snack contests. I would appreciate your support.

Step 1: Ingredients

Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees F and gather the following ingredients.

1 Brie, an approximately 13 oz wheel
4 strips of Bacon, I used medium size strips but you can choose your favorite.
3 T. Maple Syrup, preferably from Vermont but any will do so long as it's real.
1 Puff Pastry sheet, thawed.
1 Egg white.

You will also need:

A frying pan
A small bowl to mix in
A cutting board and knife
A baking sheet
A rolling pin
A brush

Step 2: Prepare Your Bacon

Start by frying up your bacon using your preferred frying method. You want your bacon crispy and well rendered, but not burned. If you're using medium size strips you will need 4 strips of bacon, but go ahead and cook it all up anyways. You know it'll get eaten.

Once fried and cooled, crumble your 4 strips of bacon into a bowl and mix with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup.

Put aside so you can prepare the brie.

Step 3: Prepare Your Brie

Unwrap your brie wheel and slice it in half widthwise so you have a top and bottom. Gently pat down the bottom half of the cheese to created a small depression to hold the bacon and syrup mixture.

Prepare the puffed pastry next.

Step 4: Assemble a Brie Sandwich

Unroll the puffed pastry onto a baking sheet lined with parchment (or otherwise made nonstick). Lightly roll the pastry a little thinner with a rolling pin.

Transfer the bottom of your brie to the center of your puffed pastry. Spoon the bacon and syrup mixture on to the the bottom half of the brie. Gently place the second half the brie on top.

Wrap the puffed pastry around the entire sandwich, ensuring that there are no holes or spaces that syrup or melted cheese could leak out of.

Step 5: Bake and Enjoy

Brush the top of the puff pastry with egg whites and pop the baking sheet into a 425 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until the top is well browned and you can hear the cheese sizzling.

Transfer your freshly baked brie to a serving plate, drizzle with a little more syrup if desired and serve. Enjoy!

Bonus Tip: Baked bries are generally best eaten fresh from the oven, but they microwave the next day surprisingly well. Try making two and saving the second for yourself after the party.