This Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Appetizer recipe takes so little time and has just three ingredients!
If you've never tried this starter, you're in for a treat. Whether this is your first time making it or you're an experienced host, you’ll want to add this recipe to your favorite appetizers collection.
This is one of the most popular appetizer recipe for parties. Whether it's served during a holiday party, special occasions, or just an evening at home with a glass of wine, it's always delicious.
Serve this with a couple of other apps like this white bean dip recipe with veggies or chips and this scallop and shrimp seafood salad and you've got a party in the making!
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is the perfect appetizer for late minute gatherings. It's easy and super-quick to prepare.
It’s unique: The flavor is an unusual blend of sweet, spicy, and creamy; this combination of ingredients is so tasty. You’re going to love it!
An excellent choice for beginners, this is an easy recipe that just can’t go wrong! You really couldn't mess it up if you tried!
What Goes In This Cream Cheese Appetizer
Cream Cheese: We like Philadelphia Cream Cheese because it has the perfect texture and pairs well with many other ingredients. It’s lovely in this Maryland Crab Dip recipe and this Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Red Pepper Jelly: With the combination of spice and sweetness, spicy red pepper jelly is the perfect complement to cream cheese.
Rosemary: A popular addition to many dishes, rosemary gives this dish a slightly minty and sage-like flavor.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full instructions for this red pepper jelly appetizer.
How to Make this Recipe
Place block of cream cheese on a platter or serving dish. If you don’t have enough time to let the cream cheese soften, you can microwave it for about ten seconds.
Spoon the jelly into a medium sized bowl and stir until it's smooth.
Spoon the pepper jelly over top of the the cream cheese. Help it drip down the sides by smoothing it a little with the spoon. If there isn't enough red pepper jelly, add a little bit to the top.
Garnish the appetizer with rosemary and add Ritz crackers or your favorite salty crackers.
Place an appetizer spreader on the serving plate with the pepper jelly cream cheese dip.
Top Tips for Making this Appetizer
For best results, be sure to prepare this easy appetizer with cream cheese right out of the refrigerator. If preparing ahead of time, place back in the fridge until serving.
You should always use the red hot pepper jelly while it's at room temperature. Microwaving the jelly will help if you don't have time, but don't do it for more than 15 second increments until it's smooth.
Variations
Make this with red or green pepper jelly.
Salsa makes a nice topping for cream cheese, too. Try this homemade cranberry salsa or this fresh peach salsa recipe.
Cranberry sauce or relish is also a nice pairing with the cream cheese.
Wheat Thins are really good with this simple appetizer. You can also pair your cream cheese and pepper jelly appetizer with Pink Himalayan Salt Multigrain Flatbread Crackers. You’ll get a perfect combination of spicy and sweet!
This would be pretty to add to a charcuterie board, too. See how to make a simple charcuterie board if you've never done it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Besides cream cheese, Aged Cheddar Cheese and Bleu Cheese are a great combination with pepper jelly because they share the same flavor profiles.
You can! The flavor will be just a little different, but still delicious. You could even try combining half the red pepper jelly with half of the green for a really festive dish!
As cream cheese is perishable, any leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container. Don't freeze this dip.
I can't wait to see what you think of this easy appetizer!
More Cream Cheese Appetizers
Recipe
Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Appetizer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Light Philadelphia Cream Cheese We used Neufchatel.
- 4 ounces Red Pepper Jelly
- 1 sprig Rosemary Chopped well. Optional: 1 or 2 sprigs for garnish.
Instructions
- Place a room temperature block of cream cheese on a platter or serving dish. If you don’t have enough time to let the cream cheese soften, you can microwave it for about ten seconds.
- Add pepper jelly to a medium bowl and stir well.
- Spoon pepper jelly over cream cheese and help it drizzle down the side a bit by smoothing the top.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary. (Optional: place sprigs of rosemary alongside the dish.)
- Serve.
Share your Thoughts!