Description
This no-fuss appetizer brings creamy cheese, warm spicy-sweet honey, and a crunchy finish to the table in minutes. Perfect for game day, holiday grazing boards, or when you need a last-minute snack that looks fancy but takes almost no effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 1/4 cup hot honey (store-bought or make your own — recipe below)
- 1 Tbsp chopped toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts, or pistachios), optional
- Pinch red pepper flakes or a sprig of fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)
- Dippers: crackers, pretzel chips, crostini, or apple slices
Make-the-honey (optional)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature so it becomes easy to spread. Place it on a small serving plate or in a shallow bowl and shape into a mound or smooth it with the back of a spoon.
- If you’re making hot honey: warm the honey gently in a small saucepan (or microwave 10–15 seconds) with the red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and let the spices steep for a few minutes. Strain if you want a smooth finish.
- Warm store-bought hot honey very briefly so it pours — you want it pourable, not scalding.
- Drizzle the hot honey generously over the cream cheese so it pools and runs down the sides.
- Scatter the chopped toasted nuts and a light pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh thyme on top.
- Arrange crackers, pretzels, or fruit around the plate and serve immediately while the honey is still warm.
Notes
- Tips & notes
- Bold tip: Soften the cream cheese well — it makes spreading and dipping effortless.
- Whipped cream cheese works great if you want an extra-spreadable texture.
- Toast nuts first in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to boost their flavor.
- Make the dip ahead: shape the cheese and keep covered in the fridge; add warm honey and toppings right before serving.
- Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated (store honey separately if you don’t want it to soak the cheese).
- FYI: For a richer, baked version, mix the cream cheese with shredded cheddar or Boursin, bake until bubbly, then finish with hot honey and nuts.
- Swap ideas: use goat cheese, whipped ricotta, or softened Boursin in place of cream cheese; try candied nuts or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a different flavor profile.