Description
This Vegan Brie Dip with Pepper Jelly is a creamy, cheesy plant-based appetizer that’s perfect for parties and gatherings. Made with soaked cashews, white miso, and tapioca starch for the perfect gooey, stretchy texture, it’s topped with sweet and spicy pepper jelly and baked to perfection. Serve warm with pretzels or crackers for a delightful, dairy-free alternative to traditional brie dips.
Ingredients
Cashew Cheese Base
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch
Topping
- 3/4 cup pepper jelly
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F to ensure it’s ready for baking the dip later.
- Soak Cashews: Boil 2 cups of water and pour it over the cashews. Let them soak for 5 minutes or up to an hour to soften for blending.
- Blend Ingredients: Drain the soaked cashews and discard the water. In a high-powered blender, combine cashews, 2 1/2 cups fresh water, lemon juice, white miso paste, salt, and tapioca starch. Blend until the mixture is very smooth.
- Cook Cashew Mixture: Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan (preferably oven-safe) and heat over medium-high. Stir continuously as it thickens and becomes clumpy, then transforms into a gooey, stretchy, and thick cheese-like consistency. Remove from heat immediately once this texture is achieved.
- Add Pepper Jelly: If the pan is oven safe, pour the pepper jelly directly over the cashew cheese. If not, transfer the cheese to an oven-safe dish and then spread the pepper jelly on top.
- Bake the Dip: Place the dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes to warm through and meld flavors.
- Serve Warm: Once baked, cover the dip with a lid to keep warm until serving. Enjoy with pretzels or crackers for dipping!
Notes
- Soaking cashews longer results in a smoother cheese texture.
- Use a high-powered blender for best results to achieve a creamy mixture.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe pan, use a separate oven-safe dish for baking.
- Adjust the amount of pepper jelly for sweetness or spice preference.
- Serve warm for the best gooey texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.
