sliced toasted almonds and dried cranberries,optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut through the bread and leave a shell about 1/2-inch thick on all sides. Scoop out the bread in the center and tear or slice the bread into chunks.
Mix the oil and garlic in a blender (or stir together in a bowl). Brush the garlic oil inside the bread shell and extra slices with the oil mixture. Cut around the top of the brie round with a sharp knife. No need to remove it yet... you're just cutting into it so it will be easy to remove after the cheese melts. Place the cheese inside the bread shell. Place the filled shell and bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Watch closely and remove the bread chunks when they are crisp. Place the bread bowl of cheese on a serving board, and surround it with the toasted bread slices. Gently remove the top rind of the brie, scraping any melted brie that wants to stay attached to the rind back into the shell. Holiday tip: Sprinkle dried cranberries and toasted almond slices around the edges of the melted brie.Your guests should be instructed to dip their toasts into the melted cheese for serving.