Cream cheese and hot pepper jelly dip is the easiest party appetizer you can make. Two ingredients and no cooking! What’s better than that? In our house, this pepper jelly and cream cheese appetizer is served at all our gatherings all year long.
Every party or family get-together in the South will include some version of this simple, delicious hors d'oeuvre. Some people use red pepper jelly, and others use green.
You can even use fig preserves or orange marmalade in place of the pepper jelly. If you can’t eat cow’s milk products, goat cheese works well, too! I know you will want to add this simple, classic Southern recipe to your recipe repertoire.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
It is creamy, sweet and savory and usually served with crackers or toast points. And it takes less than 5 minutes to make a beautiful, tasty appetizer.
Here are a few other reasons to love it:
Awesome taste and texture. Spread the cream cheese and pepper jelly dip on crackers and take a bite. You will love it. The combination of the sweet and spicy jelly with the cream cheese is absolutely scrumptious!
Easy to make. The recipe calls for only 2 ingredients, 3 if you include the crackers. All it takes is a block of cream cheese, a little pepper jelly, some crackers, a plate, and a butter/cheese knife. So simple, a five-year-old can do it.
We generally serve the pepper jelly over the top of the cream cheese, with crackers along the side. However, you could easily put everything in individual little bowls if you have people who don’t like their foods mixed. 🙂
Beautiful and inviting. Pepper jelly comes in red or green. When you spread it over the cream cheese, it is an inviting appetizer everyone will love.
This recipe is known by different names:
- cream cheese and pepper jelly
- cream cheese and pepper jelly dip
- pepper jelly dip
- pepper jelly cream cheese appetizer
Whatever you call it, it’s delicious!
Jump to:
WHAT GOES INTO THIS RECIPE
Cream cheese. Use the solid, block kind of cream cheese instead of the whipped kind.
Pepper jelly. Pepper jelly is a sweet, clear jelly with hot pepper seeds added to it. You’ll usually find it in the grocery store with the other jellies or near the specialty cheeses.
Substitutions And Variations
- Other Jellies. You can substitute spicy fig preserves, orange marmalade, or another sweet or savory jelly.
- Neuchâtel cheese. This cheese looks and tastes like cream cheese, but it has less fat.
- Goat cheese. For those who cannot eat cow’s milk, but who can eat goat or sheep's cheese, plain goat cheese is a wonderful alternative!
- Gluten-Free Crackers. It doesn’t matter what crackers you use. They all taste great with cream cheese and pepper jelly dip. I’ve even been known to put it on chips! Try my gluten-free 5 seed crackers. YUM!
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Place the softened block of cream cheese on a pretty appetizer tray. Spread the jelly over the top. Arrange the crackers or toast points around the cream cheese.
If you like, add a sprig of rosemary or parsley for a garnish. Put a little knife or spoon on the plate, and it’s ready to serve.
Storage
Cover it with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated for up to one week (if, of course, your guests don't devour it all).
FAQ
No. You can use Neuchâtel cheese, which is much lower in fat.
In a pinch, you could use whipped cream cheese, but it will not be as pretty and it will be somewhat messy.
Many people who are allergic to cow’s milk are able to eat goat’s and sheep’s cheese. Substitute a plain “log” of goat’s cheese for a delicious alternative.
Just about any jelly will taste good with cream cheese. Spicy fig jelly is excellent. Or try orange marmalade.
Select a colorful jelly or jam to fit the theme for special holidays.
If you tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Hot Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip Appetizer
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup hot pepper jelly (red or green)
- 1 sprig rosemary or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the softened cream cheese on a plate or platter.
- Spread the pepper jelly alongside or over the top of the cream cheese.
- If using, garish with a sprig of rosemary or parsley.
- Serve with crackers.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese by letting it sit out in its original container for 30 minutes or do it in the microwave. If you are using the microwave, take it out of its original packaging, put it on a plate, and microwave it for 10 seconds.
- You can add more hot pepper flakes to the jelly if you like your dip more spicy. Simply sprinkle the hot pepper flakes over the top of the jelly.
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
