When thinking of what appetizers I wanted to make this go around, I wanted to focus on appetizers that were quick to make, but I still wanted the recipe to be something that will impress your party guests more than just cheese and crackers. So, for our first recipe this month, I thought it would be fun to do a fancy cheese and crackers recipe.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how quickly you can get it all together. The only time intensive part is if you plan on making your own fig jam. Otherwise, this really only takes at most 30 minutes to preheat the oven and bake the brie, while preparing the fruit and crackers, making it a great recipe to make if you need a quick appetizer to impress your guests with.
Speaking of making the jam, for any extra jam you might have leftover, I recommend storing it in the fridge for up to 3 months and you can use it for this recipe again or for another or even just for some jam on toast for breakfast. Fig jam can be a bit expensive depending on where you live, so making it yourself is certainly worth it. And by making it from scratch, you can adjust its sugar and flavor intensity to your preferences.
In addition, you can adjust the recipe to your liking, substituting or omitting any of the toppings, as well as any of the other accouterments. Brie cheese has a very mild, creamy, earthy flavor that goes well with a lot of various foods, so try pairing it with your favorite meats, fruits, nuts, and crackers, and you should be able to create a charcuterie board of your liking.
But regardless of if you adorn your baked brie with homemade fig jam as well as a cornucopia of fruit or if you just keep it simple with just the cheese and some crackers, this creamy, quick-to-make appetizer will be a great hit at your next party!
Ingredients:
- 1 large (12-16 oz) round brie
- 1/4 cup (store-bought) fig jam
- 1/2 cup figs (I recommend using fresh figs, but I couldn’t find any, so I’ll be using dried figs, we’ll just need to add a little more water)
- 1-2 lemon’s worth of juice and zest
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1-2 tsp honey
- Some crackers and/or sliced baguette
- Some apple slices, pear slices, grapes, and/or other fruits
Step 1: Prepare Fig Jam (If Making Homemade)
Step 1.1: Dice Up Figs, Zest and Juice Lemon(s), & Rehydrate Dried Figs (If Needed)
First, we’ll prepare the fig jam, so if you plan on making it from scratch, dice up your figs if needed and zest and juice your lemon(s). If you are using dried figs, I recommend soaking them in water for at least 15 minutes or so, to help rehydrate them.
Step 1.2: In a Saucepan, Add Fig Pieces w/ Sugar, Lemon Juice & Zest, & Water; Let Simmer for 30-40 Minutes
Then in a saucepan, add in your fig pieces along with the sugar, lemon juice and zest, and water. Bring this to a boil, making sure to stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Then, simmer this over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and mashing the fig pieces, until the mixture thickens and turns jammy, about 30-40 minutes or so.
Step 1.3: Spoon Jam into Mason Jar, Let Cool to Room Temperature Before Storing for Up to 3 Months in Fridge
Then, once the jam is ready, spoon it into a mason jar, close the lid, and let it cool to room temperature before using. This will last up to 3 months in the fridge.
Step 2: Preheat Oven to 350°F; Score Top Rind of Brie; Mince Up Rosemary & Pecans, If Needed
Once your jam is ready, we’ll prepare the baked brie, so preheat your oven to 350°F and while that’s warming up, score the rind of the brie by cutting parallel and perpendicular lines through the top rind of the cheese.
Just make sure to only cut into the top portion since if you cut too deeply, the brie will lose its shape and melt into a puddle. Also, mince up your rosemary and pecans at this time.
Step 3: Place Scored Brie into Oven-Safe Dish, Top w/ Fig Jam, Minced Rosemary, & Pecans, Then Bake for 10-15 Minutes
When your brie is ready, place it into a small cast iron skillet or oven-safe dish and then top this with some of the fig jam as well as some minced rosemary and pecans, if desired. Then, bake this for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese becomes soft and is starting to ooze out of the score marks.
Step 4: Drizzle w/ Some Honey, If Desired; Serve w/ Crackers/Baguette Slices & Favorite Fruits, & Enjoy!
Then, once your baked brie is ready, drizzle it with some honey, if desired, and serve this alongside your crackers and/or sliced baguette as well as your apple slices, pear slices, grapes, and/or other fruit, and with that, your Baked Brie with Fig Jam is ready to eat.