Baked Brie with Apples and Bacon

9 Heat oven to temperature before adding the cheese. It's important the oven be fully preheated to 325°!
0 Dice the bacon and cook in an iron skillet or heavy frying pan over medium heat until crispy and golden brown.
10 Remove from the pan. 
1 Drain bacon on paper towels and set aside.
11 Drain off all but about a teaspoon of the bacon drippings from the pan.
2 Melt butter  in the same pan over medium - low heat and add the diced apples.
3 Saute apples about 2 minutes and then add the cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar.
4 Cook the apples mixture a few more minutes until tender.
12 Remove from heat and keep warm.
5 Place the brie wheel on parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
14 Carefully slice a thin layer of rind from just the very top of the wheel.
6 Bake in preheated 325° F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and melty.
13 Remove from the oven.
7 Slide baked cheese wheel on parchment paper onto your serving dish and spoon the apple mixture over the top of the brie. Add the bacon.
8 Surround baked brie with water crackers, baguette slices, apple slices, and other bread, favorite crackers, and "dip-ins" of choice.
Microwave Instructions
16 Cook the bacon and apples as directed and set aside.
17 Place the brie wheel on a piece of parchment on a microwave safe dish.
18 Carefully trim off a thin layer of the top (this isn't necessary - I just prefer it).
19 Microwave on high for 40 seconds - check to see if the cheese has melted.
20 Microwave in 10 -15 second increments until the cheese has gotten melty and gooey.
21 Remove from the microwave, transfer to serving dish, and top with the apples and bacon.