The Perfect Pairing: Brie And Jam Appetizer

how to serve brie cheese as an appetizer with jam

Baked brie with jam is a simple, elegant, and delicious appetizer that is perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to formal dinner parties. This appetizer is a crowd-pleaser that combines the creamy texture of baked brie with the sweet and fruity flavours of jam, creating a beautiful balance of sweet and savoury. The best part? It's quick and easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients and simple preparation. Whether you choose to top it with fig jam, apricot preserves, or any other variety of jam, and sprinkle it with pecans, walnuts, or pistachios, baked brie with jam is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Characteristics Values
Preparation time 5-10 minutes
Baking time 10-20 minutes
Ingredients Brie, jam, honey, maple syrup, nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, berries, crackers, crostini bread, baguette slices, apple slices, pear slices, grapes
Equipment Baking sheet, parchment paper, oven-safe dish, knife, spoon
Serving suggestions Part of a larger charcuterie board, with a cheese board, with a variety of dipping foods
Toppings Honey, maple syrup, caramelized onions, nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, berries
Substitutions Soft cheeses like Camembert or goat cheese, any type of jam or preserves
Customizations Drizzle with honey or maple syrup, add fresh herbs, serve with crackers, crostini bread, baguette slices, apple slices, pear slices, or grapes

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Baking brie with jam

Baked brie with jam is a simple, quick, and easy appetizer that can be prepared in a few minutes and baked in under 20 minutes. It is a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for any celebration or get-together. The pairing of jam and brie creates a beautiful balance of sweet and savoury flavours. The jam adds a luscious, fruity sweetness that complements the richness of the cheese.

Ingredients

You will need a wheel of brie, jam, and toppings like nuts, honey, maple syrup, or fresh herbs. For the jam, fig is a classic choice, but you can also use apricot, blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, or mixed berry. As for the cheese, an 8-16 ounce wheel of brie is recommended, but you can go larger if serving more people. While brie is the classic choice, you can also experiment with other soft cheeses like Camembert or goat cheese.

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the brie on the baking sheet and make a criss-cross pattern of shallow cuts on the top layer of the cheese. You can remove the rind or leave it on, depending on your preference. The rind adds flavour and texture, but removing it makes it easier to spread the toppings.

Baking

Spread the jam on top of the brie, and sprinkle with your choice of nuts, dried fruit, or herbs. You can also drizzle honey or maple syrup over the brie for extra sweetness. Bake for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your brie, until the cheese is gooey and bubbly. Be careful when transferring the baked brie to a serving dish as it will be hot and melty. Serve with crackers, crostini, or toasted baguette slices.

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Choosing the right jam

The choice of jam to pair with brie depends on personal preference and the type of brie being served. Brie is commonly paired with honey, but there are many jams and preserves that can be used to complement the creamy texture and rich flavour of the cheese.

Fig jam is a popular choice, often paired with orange or balsamic, and sometimes mustard spice. Other jams that pair well with brie include raspberry, strawberry, apricot, sour cherry, spiced apple, and blackberry. For a more savoury option, try an onion jam, such as a triple ale onion savoury spread. If you're looking for something with a kick of spice, pepper jelly is a great choice.

When choosing a jam, consider the flavour profile of the brie. If the brie has a buttery flavour, jams made with darker berries like blackberry or cherry can complement the richness. If the brie has more savoury, mushroomy notes, try a quince or wine-based jelly.

For a festive touch, especially during the fall and winter seasons, consider a jam with festive spices. Wozz! Kitchen Creations offers a Winter Spiced Fruits and Honey Confit that includes dried apricots, cherries, cranberries, and golden sultanas simmered in aromatic spices with fresh rosemary, orange, and honey. This would be a delightful pairing with brie during the holidays.

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Preparing the brie

Once the rind is removed, spread a layer of jam on top of the exposed cheese. You can use any type of jam you like, such as fig jam, strawberry, blueberry, apricot, or blackberry jam. If you want to get creative, you can even make a shape out of the jam or use multiple colours of jam for a festive touch. Place the jam-topped brie in a small cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe dish and sprinkle your choice of nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or pistachios, on top. You can also mix the nuts with maple syrup or honey before spreading them over the jam for extra sweetness and to prevent them from drying out in the oven.

Bake the brie for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the cheese and your oven. The brie is ready when it is soft and gooey, and starting to ooze. Be careful when removing it from the oven as the cheese will be hot and melty. Let it cool slightly before garnishing with fresh herbs and serving with crackers, crostini, or sliced baguette. You can also serve it with apple or pear slices for an even sweeter bite.

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Toppings and textures

When serving brie cheese with jam as an appetizer, the toppings and textures you choose can elevate this simple dish and make it a show-stopping, elegant appetizer.

The creamy texture of the brie pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the jam, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savoury. The jam also adds a fruity sweetness that complements the rich cheese. The pairing of brie and jam is a great base to experiment with different textures and flavours.

Nuts are a popular topping, adding a crunchy texture and extra flavour. Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts are all popular choices. You can mix the nuts with honey or maple syrup to coat them before baking, or mix them with the jam. You could also add dried fruits, such as raisins, dates, dried figs, cranberries, or apricots, to the nut mixture. Fresh herbs like rosemary can also be sprinkled on top, adding another layer of flavour and a pop of colour.

If you want to add another layer of texture, you can score the top of the brie rind in a criss-cross pattern, creating a crosshatch pattern on the cheese. This makes the appetizer more inviting and prevents anyone from getting large chunks of rind in their portion. You can also remove the rind entirely before baking, though it is edible and adds extra texture and flavour to the dish.

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Serving suggestions

Baked brie with jam is a quick and easy appetizer that can be prepared in a few minutes and baked in under 20 minutes. It is a perfect mix of sweet and savoury flavours and is sure to be a hit at your next party.

  • Baked Brie with Jam: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the wheel of Brie into a small cast-iron skillet or oven-safe dish. Score the Brie rind by making parallel cuts across the top, about half an inch apart, and then repeat perpendicular to the initial cuts, creating a crosshatch pattern. This makes the appetizer more inviting and prevents anyone from getting large chunks of rind in their portion. Top the cheese with the jam, spreading it evenly. You can use any jam you have on hand, but fig jam is a popular choice and can be found in the gourmet cheese section of most supermarkets. Blackberry, apricot, raspberry, blueberry, spiced apple chutney, and mixed berry jams are also delicious options. If you want to add a tangy and slightly sweet touch, drizzle a balsamic reduction over the jam. For a spicy kick, substitute the jam with hot pepper jelly. You can also add other toppings like honey, maple syrup, caramelised onions, or fresh herbs. Mix nuts and dried fruits with the jam (or honey) to coat them before baking, preventing them from drying out in the oven. Recommended nuts include pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts. Recommended dried fruits include sliced dried figs, raisins, dates, apricots, and fresh strawberries or kiwis. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and gooey. Serve warm with crackers, sliced baguette, crostini bread, or apple slices for a sweeter bite.
  • Creative Platter Ideas: Cut the Brie wheel into a festive shape, such as a heart for Valentine's Day or a snowflake for Christmas. You can also arrange the Brie and toppings on a platter to create designs, such as a leaf for fall or a butterfly for summer.
  • Cold Brie with Jam: Spread a small amount of jam on the bottom of the Brie wheel. Place the top of the Brie (with a cutout design) on the bottom half. Serve with crackers or as part of a larger charcuterie board.
  • Other Topping Ideas: Pears and Brie is a perfect combination. Salami slices can be rolled into the shape of flowers and arranged with the Brie and pears.

Frequently asked questions

To serve brie cheese with jam as an appetizer, first preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the wheel of cheese on the baking sheet and remove the rind from the top of the brie. You can do this by cutting a border with a knife and using a spoon to scrape the rind off. Top the exposed cheese with jam and bake for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the brie. Once done, serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or fruit.

You can cut the brie into a festive shape, such as a heart for Valentine's Day or a snowflake for Christmas. You can also mix the jam with nuts and dried fruit before baking to coat them and prevent them from drying out in the oven.

Nuts, seeds, honey, maple syrup, and fresh herbs are all popular toppings to serve with brie and jam. You can also add a drizzle of balsamic reduction or caramelized onions for extra flavour.

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