Hey there, fellow food lovers and BBQ enthusiasts! Ready to blow your taste buds away with something absolutely divine? Today, we're diving into the smoky, creamy, utterly irresistible appetizer of smoked cream cheese. Yes, you heard me right—smoked cream cheese!
Picture this: a rich, velvety block of cream cheese, beautifully infused with the tantalizing aroma of smoldering wood and barbecue rub, drizzled with sweet hot jalapeno jelly or hot honey, creating a flavor explosion that will leave you and your guests begging for more.
It's the perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication, turning a humble ingredient into the star of your summer gatherings.
Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or just someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen, this is the game-changer your BBQ repertoire has been waiting for.
So, dust off your smoker, grab a block of cream cheese, and let's whip up this tasty appetizer. Trust me, once you try this, you'll be spreading (pun intended) the word to all your friends. Let's get smokin'!
How To Smoke Cream Cheese
- Score the cream cheese with a sharp knife in a crosshatch pattern
- Cover the surface of the cream cheese and all sides with barbecue rub
- Smoke the seasoned cream cheese uncovered for 20-30 minutes
- Drizzle the top of the cheese with hot pepper jelly, hot honey, or candied jalapenos
- Serve with crackers, chips, pretzels, and other favorite scoops
Smoke the cream cheese at the lowest setting (usually 225°F, but can go lower) for 20-30 minutes.
Topping The Cream Cheese: So Many Great Choices
You'll want to choose a sweet-hot topping (or I have some creative dessert and seasonal combinations listed below). We pick up various jams and jellies on our travels and they make creative toppings for smoked cream cheese.
Candied Jalapenos known as Cowboy Candy is also a terrific topping. Here is my recipe if you'd like to make your own.
Smoked Cream Cheese Substitutions/FAQS
FAQS
- This great appetizer can be made on a pellet smoker, a griddle, gas grill, a stick smoker, or even a campfire (tented with aluminum foil).
- For the calorie conscious low-fat cream cheese or a block of Neufchatel cheese may be substituted.
- For extra razzle dazzle this easy smoked cream cheese can be the center of a charcuterie board with additional meats, cheeses, and assorted jams.
- This is a delicious recipe for the holidays, potlucks, and family get-togethers. It can be smoked, covered with a piece of foil, and reheated in the oven at a friend's house.
Substitutions & Recipe Ideas
Any favorite seasonings can be used-- and you can switch it up! Here are some extra suggestions for alternative smoked cream cheese recipes.
- Taco seasoning with salsa verde, topped with green onions and served with tortilla chips.
- Use your favorite dry rub like Montreal steak seasoning, topped with bacon jam.
- A dessert version can be made with cinnamon sugar topped with apple pie filling, peach pie filling, blueberry pie filling, and served with vanilla wafers and apple slices.
- Ranch seasoning mix or bagel seasoning, served with bagel chips and bell pepper slices.
- Top the blocks of cream cheese with dark brown sugar, drizzle with cherry pie filling and serve with bunellos (fried flour tortillas tossed in cinnamon sugar).
- Make a hearty version with chili powder rub and top with a can of chili and shredded cheese. Serve with Frito Chips.
- Make a cajun version full of spicy flavors with cajun spice mix such as Tony's Chacheree's and topped with this recipe for garlic butter crawfish tails.
Commonly Asked Questions
Making smoked cream cheese is a simple process that anyone can do! But here are some common questions we've received...
How To Store Leftover Smoked Cream Cheese Dip
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days, or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. Store crackers and chips in a separate container.
How Can The Cream Cheese Be Prepped Early For A Party?
You can place the bricks of cream cheese in aluminum pans and score the cheese ahead of time. Season the cream cheese bricks and store them refrigerated until ready to place on the smoker.
How Many People Will One Block Of Cream Cheese Serve?
One block of cream cheese and crackers can serve about 4-6 people. This is the perfect appetizer to double or triple for a crowd!
How Long To Smoke Cream Cheese?
In 20-30 minutes the block of cream cheese will be golden and warm throughout. The surface level of the dry rub will have the best smoky flavor. The longer it smokes the more smoky flavor you will achieve.
What Types Of Pellets Should Be Used When Smoking Cheese?
Cheese isn't picky and can be smoked with whatever wood you are using for the main course. Woods classically linked to smoked cheese are applewood, pecan, and hickory, but this is a personal preference.
For best results, use the type of pellets already on hand and then experiment as you wish.
What Temperature Should Cream Cheese Be Smoked At?
225°F or the lowest heat possible, so that the cream cheese gets as much smoke flavor as possible. If your pellet smoker has a low setting for extra smoke, use that.
Some electric smokers start at 200°- 225° F, which is low enough. Even cold smoking cream cheese is possible, though you will want to warm it up for serving.
Have questions? Need help? Have an addition or a suggestion to a recipe? Drop me a comment below!
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Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package of cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons barbecue rub of choice
- 1/3 cup any of the following: pepper jelly cowboy candy (candied jalapenos), hot honey, or any sweet hot jelly
- 1 box of favorite crackers
- You will also need a cast iron skillet or disposable aluminum pan
Instructions
- Start your pellet grill or traditional wood smoker as usual. For pellet smokers, set the temperature to low. This will allow the cream cheese dip to absorb the most smoke flavor.
- Open the brick of cream cheese and using a sharp knife score the cream cheese across the top in a diamond pattern.
- Sprinkle the top and all sides of the block of cream cheese with your favorite bbq rub. Place the block of cream cheese in the cast iron skillet or aluminum pan.
- Place the cream cheese in the chamber and close the lid. Smoke 20-30 minutes, or until warm throughout.
- Remove the cream cheese and top with any of the suggested sweet-hot toppings. I used pepper jelly.
- Serve with your favorite crackers, bagel chips, pita chips, or tortilla chips as an easy appetizer whenever you're smoking a nice piece of meat.
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