Description
Cowboy Cream Cheese Spread is a savory and flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings and snacks. This creamy spread combines softened cream cheese with sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, fresh green onions, and a blend of seasonings. Chilled for an hour to meld the flavors, it’s delicious served with crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sour cream
Cheese & Bacon
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Seasonings & Vegetables
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it becomes smooth and creamy, creating the perfect base for your spread.
- Add Ingredients: To the creamy base, add shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using, ensuring all elements are included for balanced flavor.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until the mixture is well combined and smooth, making sure the bacon and cheese are evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate: Transfer the spread to a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the spread to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Once chilled, serve the cowboy cream cheese spread with your choice of crackers, chips, sliced vegetables, or toasted bread. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful appetizer!
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- For extra smoky flavor, do not skip the smoked paprika.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- Refrigerating the spread not only enhances flavors but also improves texture for spreading.
- This spread can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
