Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword cream-cheese-pepper-jelly-dip, pepper-jelly-cream-cheese-appetizer, pepper-jelly-cream-cheese-precipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 112kcal

Ingredients

2 8 oz containers spreadable chive and onion cream cheese softened
1 10-12 oz jar hot pepper jelly or jalapeno jelly
fresh rosemary for garnishing
assorted crackers, pita chips, ritz crackers, club crackers and fresh vegetables for serving

Instructions

Spread softened cream cheese on a platter or shallow bowl using the tip of a spoon or an offset icing spatula.
Pour the pepper jelly on top. If the pepper jelly has been chilled, use a spoon to spread it over the cream cheese.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill until serving with ritz crackers, club crackers, vegetables, pita chips or crostini.

Notes

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 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.

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