Blueberry Carolina Reaper Baked Brie

The sauce is cooked down with blueberry jam and honey into a glossy topping that holds onto the scored rind instead of running straight into the baking dish. Most goes on before the brie hits the oven. The rest stays bright and sharp for the finish.

Blueberry Carolina Reaper is the bottle. Blueberry reads first, the honey rounds the middle, and the pepper comes through at the end against the warm, salty cheese.

Score the top rind without cutting down into the cheese. Those shallow cuts give the berry topping somewhere to settle while the brie softens, and they keep the wheel from splitting open in the oven.

Time 30 min · Serves 6 to 8 · Sauce Blueberry Carolina Reaper · How it is used 1/4 cup in the berry topping, spooned over the brie before and after baking

How hot is it The finished brie has a steady medium warmth, and you can make it milder with 2 tablespoons of sauce or hotter with an extra tablespoon.

Ingredients

For the Berry Topping

• 1/4 cup Blueberry Carolina Reaper
• 2 tablespoons blueberry jam
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

For the Brie

• 1 wheel brie, 8 ounces
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Crackers or sliced baguette, for serving

Method

1. Heat the oven to 375F. Line a small baking dish or rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine the Blueberry Carolina Reaper, blueberry jam, honey and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring until the jam loosens.
3. Add the blueberries and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring gently, until a few berries split and the sauce looks glossy enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove it from the heat.
4. Set the brie on the prepared pan. Score the top rind in a shallow crosshatch pattern, keeping the cuts about 1/4 inch deep so the wheel stays intact.
5. Spoon about two-thirds of the warm berry topping over the brie, working some into the scored lines. Scatter the pecans over the top.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the wheel looks slightly puffed and the center gives easily when pressed with the back of a spoon. Do not wait for the sides to split.
7. Let the brie stand for 3 minutes. Spoon the reserved berry topping over it, add the thyme, and serve warm with crackers or sliced baguette.

One more thing

Make the berry topping up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate it in a covered container. Warm it gently before assembling the brie so it spreads into the scored rind.

Questions people ask

How spicy is Blueberry Carolina Reaper baked brie?
It has medium heat that builds after the blueberry and cheese. Use 2 tablespoons of sauce for a milder version, or add 1 more tablespoon for a hotter finish.

Can I make blueberry baked brie ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the berry topping up to 3 days ahead, but score and bake the brie just before serving. Refrigerate leftover baked brie for up to 3 days and reheat it at 325F until soft.

Can I make baked brie with hot honey instead?
Yes, but this version gets more blueberry flavor by cooking honey with Blueberry Carolina Reaper and blueberry jam. Keep the total honey to 1 tablespoon so the topping stays balanced against the cheese.

What should I serve with spicy baked brie?
Serve it with sturdy crackers, sliced baguette, apple slices or pear slices. Choose something crisp or salty enough to stand up to the soft cheese and berry topping.

More with this sauce: Blueberry Reaper Bacon Jam Burger.