Description
This Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer is a quick and delightful party starter combining creamy, smooth cream cheese with sweet and spicy pepper jelly. It’s garnished with optional red pepper flakes and rosemary sprigs and served with crispy crackers, making it a perfect easy-to-make snack for gatherings or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup Red Pepper Jelly (Braswell’s brand recommended; green pepper jelly can be used as an alternative)
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 13.7 ounces Box Club Crackers or your favorite crackers for serving
- 2 sprigs Rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Place the softened block of cream cheese on a serving plate or platter, ensuring it is centered and ready to be topped.
- Warm Pepper Jelly: Transfer the red pepper jelly into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds until warmed through.
- Top Cream Cheese: Stir the warmed pepper jelly well, then spoon it evenly over the top of the cream cheese block to create a flavorful glaze.
- Garnish: Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes on top for added spice, and place rosemary sprigs around for an aromatic and visual garnish, if desired.
- Serve: Present the pepper jelly cream cheese alongside your choice of crackers, encouraging guests to scoop and enjoy the appetizer immediately.
Notes
- If you forget to soften the cream cheese beforehand or are short on time, place the block of cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 10 seconds before proceeding with the recipe.
- This appetizer is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours; bring to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and flavor.
- You can customize the appetizer by using green pepper jelly or other flavored jellies to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the spread with crackers (approx. 30g cream cheese with 3 crackers)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
