Description
Homemade pepper jelly cheese dip delivers zesty comfort with creamy Southern charm. Spicy sweet flavors blend perfectly, inviting guests to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Cheeses:
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120g) pepper jelly
- Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
- Crackers or toasted baguette slices (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the creamy foundation by blending softened cream cheese with sharp cheddar, incorporating garlic and onion powder for depth of flavor, then season with salt and black pepper until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Select a compact oven-safe ceramic or glass dish, ensuring the cheese blend is distributed evenly across the surface with a gentle, consistent motion.
- Position the prepared dish into a preheated oven calibrated to 350°F, allowing the cheese mixture to transform into a molten, bubbling canvas of savory richness for approximately 15-20 minutes.
- During the baking interval, gently warm the pepper jelly in short microwave bursts, creating a more fluid texture that will cascade effortlessly over the hot cheese landscape.
- Remove the golden, effervescent cheese base from the oven and immediately drape the warmed pepper jelly across its surface, creating an elegant marbled pattern of crimson and ivory.
- Enhance the visual appeal and add a fresh, mild onion accent by delicately scattering finely chopped chives across the top of the dip.
- Present the vibrant, aromatic creation immediately alongside crisp crackers or toasted baguette slices, inviting guests to indulge in this harmonious blend of creamy and spicy flavors.
Notes
- Choose full-fat cream cheese for a richer, more indulgent texture that melts smoothly in the dip.
- Grate your own sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that can affect melting consistency.
- Adjust the heat level by selecting mild or spicy pepper jelly depending on your preference for a mild or fiery kick.
- Prep the dip ahead of time by mixing the cheese ingredients and refrigerating, then bake just before serving to save time during gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg