Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese

This easy Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip is a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties, holidays, and casual gatherings. Made with just two ingredients, it comes together in minutes and is always a favorite on any snack table.

What You’ll Love About This Perfect Appetizer Recipe

• It’s So Easy! The best part about this Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip is how simple it is to make. Creamy, savory cream cheese swirled with sweet and spicy pepper jelly is irresistible—and no baking is required.
• Perfect for Charcuterie Boards – Add this dip to a beautiful board with a variety of sliced meats and cheeses. For extra flavor, serve it with crispy bacon for a sweet, spicy, and salty combination.
• What to Serve Pepper Jelly Spread – Enjoy it with assorted crackers, Ritz or club crackers, fresh vegetables, pita chips, pretzels, or crostini.
• More Ways To Use Pepper Jelly – You can also melt pepper jelly and use it as a quick glaze for chicken, pork, salmon and seafood.

Easy Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Recipe

This easy Pepper Jelly Dip is a classic Southern appetizer that my mom has been serving for ages, and it remains one of my all-time favorites to make and share. It’s the perfect last-minute dish you can whip up in just 5 minutes for unexpected guests, holiday parties, or easy entertaining. With a sweet, salty, and spicy flavor profile, it’s delicious served with crackers or pita chips for dipping and is a must-have staple around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make easy Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Dip: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Cream Cheese – Two 8-ounce containers of chive and onion cream cheese. This cream cheese has a soft spreadable texture that’s especially handy when there’s no time to soften.
• Hot Pepper Jelly – There are many brands that offer various flavors of spicy pepper jelly. Stonewall Kitchen is a popular well-known brand, and many specialty shops and local grocery stores have their own private label variations of spicy red pepper jelly.
• Garnish – Fresh rosemary for garnishing.
• Crackers – Assorted crackers, pita chips, crostini, sliced baguette or pretzels for serving.

How to Make the BEST Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Recipe

• Cream Cheese – Remove the cream cheese from the fridge and let it sit on the counter to soften. This will happen fairly quickly using this spreadable cream cheese. If there’s no time to bring it to room temperature, use the soften function on your microwave.
• Spread Softened Cream Cheese on a Serving Plate or Platter – Swirl the cream cheese on a platter using the tip of a teaspoon or offset icing spatula.
• Jelly – Pour the pepper jelly on top. If the pepper jelly has been chilled, use a spoon to spread it over the cream cheese.
• Serve Immediately or Chill – Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Appetizer

• Large serving plate or shallow dish.
• Offset icing spatula or spoon and tablespoon.
• Butter knife or small spreader for serving.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Cream Cheese Substitution – You could use a log of well chilled goat cheese or Boursin cheese in place of cream cheese. You can also use a classic softened 8 ounce block of cream cheese.
• Classic or Spreadable Cream Cheese – This easy appetizer is usually made with a block of classic cream cheese. I serve it with seasoned cream cheese just to give it a little something extra to the flavor. One block of cream cheese will definitely work in place of chive and onion cream cheese.  
• Use a Quality Brand of Pepper Jelly – There are many types of jelly that come in many colors and spice levels, typically made with diced peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. You can find it at grocery stores, specialty shops, general stores, craft fairs, and retailers like World Market. Since it’s one of the two main ingredients in this dip, choose a pepper jelly blend that suits your taste.
• Adjust the Spice – Some jars of pepper jelly brands feature a variety of peppers such as red peppers and green pepper jelly which are fairly mild. Others amp up the spice with habanero peppers, jalapeno peppers and beyond. The level of spice is directly related to the type of pepper featured in the jelly, so choose your favorite based on your personal taste.
• Serving Suggestion – I always serve this easy dip alongside a bowl of toasted pecans. Adding a pecan to each bite brings a savory note that balances the sweetness, and you can also pair it with cheese adding an extra touch of salt to the flavor.
• Mix-Ins – If you’d like to add shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the cream cheese mixture, you can. Fold 1/2 -1 cup of finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the chive and onion cream cheese. 
• Fresh Herbs – You could add fresh chives or chopped green onion to the softened cream cheese for texture. You could also add other fresh herbs like chopped rosemary or parsley to expand the flavor profile. Beat the herbs into the cream cheese using a hand mixer.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftovers covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Easy Appetizers to Make

• Creamy Beer Cheese Dip.
• Loaded Tater Tots can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish.
• Spicy Fire Crackers are another retro snack the family is sure to love.
• Shrimp Toast is an easy and impressive appetizer.
• Marry Me Chicken Dip is a spin on the popular Marry Me Chicken.
• Greek Whipped Feta Dip features Mediterranean flavors.
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a party favorite!
• Fresh Mushroom Appetizer from Land O Lakes.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Kitchen Utensils
• Shallow Bowls
• Offset Spatulas
• Measuring Set