Apple-Pear Brie Bread

This is delightful fresh from the oven - with warm, sweet pears balanced out by the savory brie, all wrapped up in fresh baked bread. I made this bread a bit too long considering the size of my oven (tiny) but it still came out. I only had 2 apples so I diced 2 pears to make up for the filling.

Bread

• 1 c milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 c butter (75 grams)
• 1/3 c sugar
• 1/2 t salt (or less if using salted butter)
• 4.5 c all purpose flour
• 1 T yeast

Filling

• 1 T butter
• 4 c fruit (apples, pears), diced
• 1/4 c brown sugar, lightly packed
• 4 T sliced almonds
• 4 oz brie (110 g), rind removed

Topping (Optional)

• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1 t flour
• 1 T butter

1. In a bread machine, combine dough ingredients. Set to dough cycle.
2. Saute fruit with butter for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add brown sugar and continue stirring on low for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 12x15 inches or if using a mini oven to length of tray. Transfer to greased foil.
4. Mix almonds with fruit. Spread mixture evenly down the center.
5. Top with globs of brie.
6. Cut sides at a diagonal to 1/2" from fruit, about 1.5" apart. Lift dough on alternating sides to lay over center as a braid.
7. Let rise until doubled - about 1h30.
8. Mix flour, sugar and butter. Sprinkle on top.
9. Bake at 180C for 30 minutes or until browned.

Variations

• The original recipe calls for Granny Smith. I used Fuji and two red pears.
• Sprinkle some spices in for additional flavor: nutmeg, cinnamon, etc.
• Use a different cheese - cheddar, mozzarella, your favorite, etc
• Use a completely different filling. Check out this one with mustard, onions, pears, walnuts, cranberries and brie!
• Don't use the topping - just spread melted butter on top before baking - or nothing at all.

Notes
I was expecting the topping to melt over the bread - instead it stayed in clumps and came out as a strangely brown-spotted bread. Not the prettiest, but when you bite into it, it's a little crunchy, and of course sweet. So it does have its benefits.