Description
A creamy and spicy Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip that combines smooth cream cheese with shredded Monterey Jack, garlic, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. Perfectly baked until bubbling and best served warm with crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetables for a delightful appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping & Serving
- 3 tablespoons hot honey
- Crackers, crostini, or veggies for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the dip evenly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the cheese mixture evenly into a small baking dish, creating an even layer to allow for uniform baking.
- Bake the Dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges, signaling it’s perfectly heated through.
- Add Hot Honey: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and immediately drizzle the 3 tablespoons of hot honey over the top of the warm dip to add a sweet and spicy flavor contrast.
- Serve Warm: Serve the hot honey cream cheese dip warm alongside crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetables for dipping and enjoy.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot honey depending on your preferred spice and sweetness level.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer, creamier texture.
- If you don’t have Monterey Jack cheese, mild cheddar or mozzarella can be good substitutes.
- The dip is best served warm but can be prepared ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- For a smoother dip, you can blend the cheeses with a hand mixer before spreading.
