Baked Brie with Maple Caramelized Apples

Ingredients

3 slices bacon
2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
sea salt to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored, and cut into
1/2-inch thick slices
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8 ounce) round Brie cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Lay bacon on the prepared baking sheet. Mix pecans, brown sugar, chili powder, and sea salt together in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the bacon.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until crisp, and browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Chop bacon into rough pieces.
4. Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
5. Saute, stirring only every 60 to 90 seconds, until apples are tender and brown, about 8 minutes. Mix in remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and cinnamon. Transfer to a bowl.
6. Cut a round of parchment paper slightly larger than the round of Brie cheese. Place the Brie cheese on the parchment paper; place onto a baking sheet. Top with the cooked apples to make a big mound.
7. Bake in the hot oven for 5 minutes. Add bacon-praline mixture on top of the Brie. Continue baking until top is bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a serving platter using a large spatula. Sprinkle with sea salt and rosemary.