Description
Homemade pepper jelly blends sweet and spicy flavors in a quick, delightful spread perfect for cheese platters or appetizers. Cooks can easily prepare this condiment with fresh peppers, sugar, and pectin for a zesty kitchen creation you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 7 oz (198 g) pepper jelly
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz (113 g) sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 tsp onion flakes
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack centered for uniform heating, ensuring optimal cooking environment.
- Mixing: Blend cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion flakes, and kosher salt in a medium bowl until ingredients form a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
- Assembling: Spread the cheese blend evenly into a ceramic or glass oven-safe dish, creating a uniform surface for consistent baking.
- Baking: Roast the cheese mixture for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until edges turn golden and cheese develops a luscious, bubbling texture.
- Jelly Preparation: Warm pepper jelly in microwave using 20-30 second intervals, stirring between each cycle to achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
- Finishing: Extract the baked cheese dip from oven, then drizzle melted pepper jelly across the surface, distributing it elegantly with a spoon or spatula.
- Serving: Rest the dip for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and preventing potential mouth burns when enjoying this delectable appetizer.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Use high-quality, full-fat cream cheese and sharp cheddar for the richest, most flavorful dip experience.
- Prevent Overheating: Watch the cheese carefully during baking to avoid burning or separating, which can result in a grainy texture.
- Jelly Heating Technique: Microwave pepper jelly gently to maintain its vibrant color and prevent scorching or caramelization.
- Serving Temperature: Let the dip rest briefly after baking to allow flavors to develop and prevent potential mouth burns from extreme heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg