Delicious apricot jalapeno jam cheese topper recipe, perfect for holiday get-togethers or as holiday gifts from your kitchen.
This Apricot Jalapeno Cheese Topper is technically a jam, so if you make this and you've never made jam, you've now made jam :) I'm just not calling it a jam because I'm not really treating it like one (not "canning" or storing it for any length of time).
This savory jam is for making now and popping in the fridge or gifting. Then you can enjoy it over the holidays (or grab a jar to give as a hostess gift). Because it's made with dried apricots, you don't have to put it up when a fruit is in season. You can just make a batch whenever you need some.
I love to spoon some on top of warm brie, but it's also great for just putting out a small bowl and spoon, and using a bit to top crackers and cheese (goes great with aged white cheddar or goat or cream cheese).
This cheese topper is a perfect kitchen gift project, because it's quick and easy, it's made with dried apricots (easily available year round) and doesn't need commercial pectin, so it's more economical to make and needs less sugar. I like to pick up some pretty little jars and put it with a round of brie and crackers or bread in a little basket or container. If you like, include a recipe card with the Spicy Sweet Apricot Sauce below, as an idea for any left-overs.
Cook's Notes for Apricot Jalapeno Cheese Topper
This recipe will make about 2 cups of cheese topper, enough for four 4-oz. (125ml) or two 8-oz. (250ml) gift jars. You can double the recipe, but I wouldn't make too much at once. Other than the 4 hour soak, this cooks up quickly, so it's easy to make another batch when you need some more.
Ideally, you'll have a thermometer to make this. If you don't, it's still easy enough to give it a try.
Other ways to use your Apricot Jalapeno Cheese Topper
Beyond using to top cheese, try this jam on chicken or salmon, too! Simply mix up the sauce below ...
Spicy Sweet Apricot Sauce: In a small microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup, combine 1/2 cup Apricot Jalapeno preserve, 1 tsp. soy sauce, 1 tsp. Sriracha, 1 tsp. sesame oil, 1 Tbsp. shredded coconut. Heat for 30-45 seconds. Spoon over grilled or pan-seared salmon or chicken.
Apricot Jalapeno Cheese Topper
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried apricots (diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup red onion (diced in 1/4-inch dice)
- 1/4 cup red pepper (diced in 1/4-inch dice)
- 3 - 4 Tbsp. jalapeno pepper (diced in 1/4 inch dice (seeds removed))
- 2 cups white sugar
Instructions
- Place diced apricots in a small bowl and add the white vinegar. Stir and push the apricot pieces down so that they are covered by the vinegar. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours, stirring a couple of times.
- Near the end of your 4 hours, dice up your onion and peppers.
- Add the soaked apricots and any remaining vinegar into a medium saucepan. Add your diced red onion, red pepper and jalapeno pepper into the saucepan and then the 2 cups of sugar. Stir to combine.
- Over medium heat, stir the mixture until it becomes very liquid and the sugar has dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and attach a thermometer. Cook the mixture until it reaches at least 222° F. on your thermometer then remove from heat and carefully pour into a jar and place lid on it. (If you don't have a thermometer, you'll want to allow it to cook at a full, rolling boil for about about 1 minute. A full, rolling boil is a vigorous boil - one that can't be stirred down). Allow to cool at room temperature, stirring or flipping the jar over every 10 minutes or so, to distribute the solids. Once cooled, refrigerate. (If giving as gifts, be sure to label or tell the recipient to refrigerate).
Heidi says
How long will this keep in the fridge?
Jennifer says
Hi Heidi, it will keep in the fridge for several weeks.
LeAnn Brooks says
Wondering if this is safe to can ?
Jennifer M says
Absolutely, LeAnn.
LeAnn says
Thank you so much ! this is by far the best jalapeno jelly recipe ive tried I now have 10 pint jars between my friend and I that we canned . YUM:)
Jennifer M says
So glad to hear, LeAnn. Enjoy!
Caroline says
I have bought this hot pepper jelly or jam in jars from the grocery store. We can do some serious damage to an open jar in my house! I love that sweet and spicy combination. I've never thought to make it! I'm bookmarking this and making it soon!
Jennifer M says
This is one of my favourite things to make around the holidays, because we can do some serious damage as well ;)
Sue/the view from great island says
This looks fabulous, and I love the way you've photographed it. This is the way I make 'jam', in small batches to eat right away, and the combination of sweet and hot is one of my favorites.
Jennifer M says
Thanks so much, Sue. I do the same small-batch thing. I learned my lesson after a summer of big batch preserving a few years ago that I STILL have hanging around ;)
Sophie says
this looks AMAZE Jennifer! oh man, hot pepper jelly and some kind of cheese on crackers is one of my faaaavorite holiday eats! and baked brie in general, i cant get enough of. i love that this sounds so simple to make, i totally have a Christmas party i could bring it to this weekend! love all your different serving suggestions, too :)
Jennifer M says
Thanks Sophie. This stuff is awesome with baked brie. If you like a bit of heat, definitely do the 1/4 cup jalapeno.
sara says
This looks SO yummy...I love fruit jams with cheese, and the jalapeno sounds awesome with apricot.
Jennifer M says
Thanks Sara. It's one of my favourites, especially this time of year. Great to have on hand for entertaining.
Betty says
This jam is wonderfully addictive and perfect for the holidays and gifting. I've always made it with habaneros, but the jalapenos would be better for those that don't like so much heat. (my sister, for one!)
Jennifer M says
Hi Betty. Habaneros are never available around here, so I've always made this with jalapenos. It's definitely milder, but a nice balance between sweet and heat. I agree about the addictive part!