Spooky & Delicious: Puff Pastry Wrapped Mummy Brie for Your Halloween Party

Prepare for a ghoulishly good time this Halloween with an appetizer that’s both festive and incredibly delicious: Puff Pastry Wrapped Mummy Brie. This delightful creation is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, transforming a simple wheel of brie into a fun, spooky centerpiece for your holiday spread. Loaded with sweet apple or pumpkin butter, encased in flaky puff pastry, and baked to golden perfection, it’s an edible masterpiece that promises gooey, cheesy goodness in every bite.

This recipe proudly features Kroger’s Private Selections Parisian Style Brie, making it possible to craft this frightfully delicious Mummy Brie with high-quality, accessible ingredients.

An appetizer so irresistibly good, you’ll actually want your mummy – pun absolutely intended! Seriously though, we’re delving into the world of baked brie cheese, elevated with a sweet and savory filling, all wrapped up in a charmingly spooky package. Imagine a rich, creamy brie, generously filled with luscious apple butter, pumpkin butter, or your favorite fruit preserves. This cheesy delight is then enveloped in strips of golden puff pastry, carefully arranged to resemble ancient bandages. To complete the Halloween transformation, we add eerie eyes using vibrant red peppers and dark black olives, giving our little mummy its signature creepy stare.

Before baking, a quick brush with an egg wash ensures that the puff pastry achieves a beautiful, golden-brown hue and a wonderfully flaky texture. Pop this entire creation onto a baking sheet, and let your oven work its magic until the pastry is perfectly golden, the brie is gloriously bubbly, and luxuriously melty. The aroma filling your kitchen will be enough to entice any Halloween guest!

Baked brie is undeniably one of the easiest yet most impressive appetizers you can whip up, almost always guaranteeing a resounding success with your guests. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity; it requires a surprisingly small list of ingredients, making it incredibly quick and effortless to assemble, even amidst the busiest holiday preparations. I love to serve this warm, gooey mummy brie with an assortment of crisp, fresh green apple slices and a variety of crackers. The tartness of green apples provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy decadence of the baked cheese, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that results in an explosion of taste in every single bite. The combination is simply divine, leaving everyone craving more.

Mummy Brie isn’t just a meal; it’s a fun experience, making it an ideal Halloween recipe to create with children, friends, or a significant other. It adds a playful and festive touch to any party or gathering. Beyond being a fantastic standalone appetizer, it also serves as an eye-catching and delicious centerpiece for a bountiful charcuterie board or a festive cheese spread, inviting everyone to gather around and enjoy its spooky charm.

Essential Ingredients for Your Spooky Mummy Brie

Crafting the perfect Mummy Brie relies on a few key components that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each ingredient plays a crucial role:

• Private Selections Parisian Style Brie: At the heart of this appetizer is a high-quality brie cheese. We specifically recommend a French-inspired brie, typically made from cow’s milk and cream, known for its exceptionally creamy and buttery texture. When baked, this cheese transforms into a luxuriously molten state, pairing exquisitely with the bright, tart notes of apples and the warm, comforting spices of apple or pumpkin butter. Its mild, earthy flavor provides the perfect foundation for the sweet fillings and flaky pastry.
• Apple Butter, Pumpkin Butter, or Your Favorite Preserves: The filling is where you can truly customize your Mummy Brie! While apple butter or pumpkin butter are ideal choices for a festive, autumnal flavor that perfectly suits Halloween, don’t hesitate to explore other options. Raspberry jam or strawberry preserves can add a “gore factor” with their vibrant red color, making the mummy even more dramatic. For a more sophisticated palate, a rich fig preserve offers a wonderful depth of flavor that complements brie beautifully. To prepare the brie for filling, you’ll carefully cut a shallow ring around the top rind, gently remove the cap, and then generously slather the inside with your chosen fruit butter or preserve before carefully replacing the cap and wrapping it in puff pastry.
• Puff Pastry: This is the secret to our mummy’s “bandages” and its wonderfully flaky exterior. You’ll need one sheet of store-bought puff pastry, ensuring it’s cold but completely thawed before you begin. The cold temperature is crucial for the pastry to puff up properly in the oven, creating those irresistible layers. Once unfolded, use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to slice the pastry into thin strips. Don’t stress about making them perfectly even; the charmingly imperfect nature of a mummy’s bandages is part of its appeal and adds to the rustic, homemade feel of the appetizer.
• A Beaten Egg (for Egg Wash): After you’ve artfully wrapped your brie wheel in puff pastry, a quick brush with an egg wash (a lightly beaten egg mixed with a touch of water) will work wonders. This simple step not only imparts a beautiful, glossy sheen to the puff pastry but also helps it achieve that desirable golden-brown color, giving our mummy a “sun-kissed” (or rather, “oven-baked”) tan as it emerges from the oven. It also aids in creating a crisp, flaky crust.
• Mummy Eyes: This is where the spooky fun really comes alive! You have several creative options for crafting those essential mummy eyes. For the base, consider a small piece of red bell pepper, dried cranberries, or even mini pepperonis – anything that provides a pop of red for a slightly bloodshot effect. On top of this red base, we’ll place a thin slice of black olive to complete the creepy, Halloween-ready gaze. If olives aren’t your preference, two small raisins can also work wonderfully in a pinch to create that distinct mummy face. The goal is to make it look playfully eerie!
• Fresh Apples & Crackers (for Serving): To truly round out the experience, serve your baked brie with crisp fresh green apple slices and your favorite crackers. As mentioned, the vibrant tartness of green apples cuts through the richness of the warm, creamy cheese, creating a refreshing counterpoint. We trust Kroger for their consistently fresh and high-quality produce, ensuring your serving accompaniments are just as delicious as the main event. A variety of crackers, from plain water crackers to artisanal options, will offer different textures and flavors for your guests to enjoy.

How to Make a Yummy Mummy Brie: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this adorable and delicious Mummy Brie is a straightforward process that’s perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps to bring your Halloween appetizer to life:

1. Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Brie

   Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack positioned in the center. This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for baking as soon as your mummy is ready. Next, lay a sheet of parchment paper on a clean cutting board; this will make transferring your brie to the baking sheet much easier and prevent sticking. Place your wheel of brie on the parchment paper. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully cut a shallow, circular ring around the very top surface of the brie wheel, about ½ inch from the edge. Once the ring is cut, turn your knife so it’s parallel to the cutting board. With one hand gently placed on top of the brie wheel to steady it, slowly and carefully slice horizontally to remove the top rind (the “cap”). Don’t worry if a bit of cheese sticks to the rind; you can gently scrape off any excess cheese from the underside of the cap and add it back to the brie wheel. This step creates a small cavity, maximizing the space available for your delicious filling.

2. Step 2: Fill the Mummy and Wrap It Up!

   Now for the delicious filling! Give your apple or pumpkin butter (or chosen preserve) a quick stir, then generously spread it over the exposed top surface of the brie wheel. Ensure an even layer, reaching close to the edges. Once filled, carefully place the brie rind cap back on top of the cheese wheel. Next, unroll your cold, thawed puff pastry sheet onto a clean work surface. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the pastry into approximately 8 thin strips, each about ½ to ¾ inch wide. These will be your mummy’s bandages! Begin wrapping the strips around the brie wheel in a crisscross or random pattern, just like real bandages. You can layer them, leave gaps, and generally create any design you like – remember, perfectly imperfect is the goal here! Make sure to tuck and pinch the ends of the pastry strips securely underneath the brie wheel to prevent them from unraveling during baking. Now, it’s time for the mummy eyes! Place two small pieces of red bell pepper (or dried cranberries/mini pepperonis) where the eyes should be. Then, top each red piece with a thin slice of black olive to create that iconic, creepy look. Feel free to overlap one of the eyes with a pastry strip for an extra authentic “bandaged” appearance. If you have any remaining pastry scraps, you can discard them or bake them separately for a little chef’s treat. Once satisfied with your mummy’s appearance, transfer the entire sheet of parchment paper with the wrapped brie onto a baking sheet.

3. Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

   In a small bowl, lightly beat the large egg with about 2 teaspoons of water to create your egg wash. Using a pastry brush, gently and evenly brush the egg wash over all the exposed puff pastry strips of your mummy brie. This will give it that beautiful golden sheen. If the puff pastry has become very soft or warm from handling during the wrapping process, it’s a good idea to pop the entire baking sheet with the mummy into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. Chilling the pastry before baking helps it to maintain its structure and achieve maximum flakiness. Once chilled (if necessary), place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the puff pastry is a gorgeous golden brown, visibly puffed, and no longer appears raw. The brie inside will be perfectly melted and bubbly. Carefully remove from the oven. Serve your Mummy Brie immediately while it’s warm and gooey, accompanied by fresh green apple slices and an assortment of your favorite crackers.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Your Mummy Brie

This Mummy Brie recipe is already fantastic, but with a few extra tips and variations, you can truly make it your own and ensure a perfect outcome every time:

• Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble the Mummy Brie (up to the point of brushing with egg wash) a few hours in advance. Wrap it loosely in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, apply the egg wash and proceed as directed. This is a great way to save time on party day!
• Customizing Your Filling: While apple and pumpkin butter are autumnal favorites, the possibilities are endless.
  • Sweet & Fruity: Try cherry preserves, apricot jam, or even a mixed berry compote for different flavor profiles.
  • Savory Twists: For a less sweet option, consider a thin layer of pesto, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomato spread, or a fig and balsamic reduction. These will create a more sophisticated appetizer perfect for adult gatherings.
• Alternative Cheeses: While brie is ideal for its meltiness and mild flavor, you could experiment with other soft, rind-on cheeses like Camembert for a slightly stronger flavor. Ensure they are suitable for baking inside pastry.
• Puff Pastry Handling: Always work with cold puff pastry. If it becomes too warm and sticky, simply pop it back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up. This will prevent it from tearing and ensure maximum puffiness.
• Eye-Catching Decorations: Get creative with the mummy eyes! Besides red bell pepper and black olives, you can use capers, small pieces of roasted red pepper, or even tiny edible googly eyes for a super kid-friendly version. A small piece of thinly sliced salami or pepperoni can also create a reddish base for the eyes.
• Serving Suggestions: Beyond green apples and crackers, consider adding:
  • Toasted Baguette Slices: A classic pairing for baked brie.
  • Fresh Fruit: Grapes, pear slices, and berries add color and freshness.
  • Nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or almonds provide a delightful crunch.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup Drizzle: A light drizzle just before serving can enhance the sweetness and add a beautiful glaze.
  • Small Sprig of Rosemary: For an aromatic and visually appealing garnish.
• Storage and Reheating: Leftover Mummy Brie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, place it on a baking sheet in a preheated oven (around 300°F/150°C) until warmed through and the cheese is melty again, about 10-15 minutes. While it won’t be as flaky as fresh, it will still be delicious!

A big thank you to our friends over at Kroger for sponsoring this post. We are grateful to partner with companies that consistently provide fresh, affordable, and high-quality ingredients, making delicious recipes like this accessible to everyone!