One thing I remember so vividly about my brief foray into law school is how loud people typed during exams, like they were purposefully trying to throw the others off. And, if you know anything about the weirdness that is law school, that’s not too far fetched an idea. And, if you know anything about the longness that is law school exams, you’ll understand just how annoying that keyboard bashing can be around hour 3. So I made you some baked brie bites! Or.. well.. let me segue. I’ve been trying to transition Master Leo into his crib for a little while now. Except that totally failed and he–no matter what magic I work–will not sleep through one sleep cycle in the crib, and since we’re getting (relatively) decent sleep at night these days, I’m not too keen on working through night after night of 45-minute sleep bursts. Anyway, so we’re trying the pack ‘n play instead, in our bedroom where he sleeps normally in his rock ‘n play (so much ‘n play in our lives these days). Except that didn’t work either, until one morning I let him nap right next to me in bed while I basically Facebooked for an hour and a half, confused as to how this was even happening.. Leo.. sleeping unswaddled.. on a flat surface.. for more than 45 minutes?! Witchcraft! And then I realized it might have something to do with me being there, so I started sneaking into the bedroom to work sitting on the bed around minute 35 of his nap, hoping my sheer presence would guide the little cub through a sleep cycle. And it worked! Sort of. Well, it worked.. twice. If my timing is off at all it’s disastrous, so what am I doing this morn? I’ve committed fully and have spent his entire nap typing silently on my laptop next to him. Every time he flinches I feel a surge of adrenaline course through my veins, akin–I can only imagine–to being chased by a masked murderer equipped with a chainsaw, trying to pant silently whilst hiding behind a tree as he looks around for you, his murder victim. I’m pretty sure I feel the exact same. Except, the problem is that none of this has anything at all to do with baked brie bites with apricot jam, not one little bit. Other than the fact that I’m trying to finalize video edits with zero volume and I have two sources of white noise blasting my zen and I’m trying to whine every so silently about being trapped on the bed because I really a) need more coffee and b) really have to pee. So I made you baked brie bites with apricot jam! Baked brie en croute is pretty much my absolute go-to when it comes to simple entertaining that’s elegant, indulgent, and so, so easy. Baked brie bites, in particular, I fell in love with years ago when I saw them on the Joy the Baker blog, and I even wrote them up myself! This was, of course, during the period in my life where I was not completely and totally clueless about photography but mostly clueless. Like 90% clueless. So, for a laugh, go visit the old post, but don’t judge me. It’s the journey, amiright? Anyway, these bites are absolutely perfect for holiday entertaining! The puff pastry is so crispy and flaky, the brie so rich and melty, the apricot jam so perfectly sweet without being overly fruity. They’re the perfect little size, so much easier than cutting into an oozy brie volcano, and you can eat like twelve without anyone really noticing. I put these on the menu for a little family brunch we’re throwing to celebrate Leo’s 100th day of living, which just so happens to be on New Year’s Eve! Fancy, non? So I of course had to throw baked brie on the menu, but I loved the idea of making bites instead of a whole wheel en croute. Oh, that.. and I can make these in advance and freeze them! One less thing to do that day, which I’m all about. You can make them as larger pops on popsicle sticks or go with smaller bites–all depends on your crowd, really. I’ve made both and love them equally! Well.. gotta go. Little man’s awake.. my silent typing all for naught! I won’t waste words to express my feelings right now, when an emoji does the job perfectly: ? Make these! They are so good.
