Easy creamy smoked blocks of cream cheese will become your new favorite summer BBQ appetizer.
Smoking cream cheese softens it and gives it an earthy smoky flavor that is perfect for smearing across your favorite crackers.
This smoked cream cheese recipe is so easy to whip up. Go ahead and add a block of cream cheese to your smoker the next time you are making one of your favorite smoker recipes like these smoked chicken wings or this smoked meatloaf.
I love appetizers! In fact some days we have entire meals made up with nothing but appetizers.
This smoked cream cheese couldn’t be easier to make. Just coat a block of cream cheese with olive oil and sprinkle on some of your favorite seasonings then smoke it for a few hours.
The results are a gooey lightly smoked block of cream cheese that tastes good enough to rival even the best baked brie. Serve it with some crackers or freshly cut vegetables to make the perfect appetizer.
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Ingredients
Block of Cream Cheese: This isn’t the time to count calories. Go ahead and use full-fat cream cheese.
Olive Oil: Coating the cream cheese in olive oil will help keep the outside of the cream cheese from drying out. Don’t worry about using fancy extra virgin olive oil regular olive oil will work just fine.
Your Favorite Seasoning: There are so many options for flavoring the cream cheese. Check out some popular variations below.
Dippers: Try dipping crackers, chips, produce, or bread in this delicious cream cheese appetizer.
Variations
There are so many different variations of smoked cream cheese that you could make depending upon your chosen seasoning. Here are some you should definitely try.
- BBQ Spice Blends
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper
- Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Onion Soup Mix
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust
Try serving smoked cream cheese topped with fresh fruit jam, spicy pepper jelly, bacon jam, pesto, tomato chutney, or chimichurri sauce.
Equipment
Aluminum Foil
Smoker: A few years ago we bought a Traeger grill during a Father’s Day sale. Initially, I was reluctant to spend the money on a second grill but it has been one of the best purchases we have ever made. Not only does it produce amazing results, but it’s also incredibly easy to operate!
I don’t remember the last time we went out for barbeque because we get such great results at home for a fraction of the cost. I know our Traeger grill has already paid for itself with the money we have saved on eating out.
Directions
Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Score the top of the cream cheese in a criss-cross pattern. Brush all sides of the cream cheese with olive oil and place it on a sheet of tin foil.
Coat the cream cheese in the seasoning of your choice.
Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours at 250 degrees Farenheight. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.
Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.
This weekend I served smoke cream cheese with tomato chutney on top of wedges of homemade flatbread.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to use mild wood pellets like apple or cherry.
If you don’t have a smoker you can still make this delicious cream cheese appetizer. Prepare the cream cheese as recommended in the recipe. Instead of using foil place the cream cheese in a shallow pan and add a small dash of liquid smoke to the top of the cream cheese. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cream cheese uncovered for one hour. If it has softened, remove the cream cheese from the oven. If it is still firm continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. Allow the cream cheese to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Try smearing savory smoke cream cheese across your favorite bagel or baguet. Or scoop some up with crackers, pretzels or serve it along with some freshly chopped vegetables.
For sweet smoked cream cheese, I would serve it with some fresh fruit, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Smoked Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 8oz block of cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of your favorite spice mix
Instructions
- Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Score the top of the cream cheese in a criss-cross pattern. Brush all sides of the cream cheese with olive oil and place it on a sheet of tin foil.
- Coat the cream cheese in the seasoning of your choice.
- Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours at 250 degrees Farenheight. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.
- Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.
Notes
What if I don't have a smoker?
If you don't have a smoker you can still make this delicious cream cheese appetizer. Prepare the cream cheese as recommended in the recipe. Instead of using foil place the cream cheese in a shallow pan and add a small dash of liquid smoke to the top of the cream cheese. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cream cheese uncovered for one hour. If it has softened, remove the cream cheese from the oven. If it is still firm continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. Allow the cream cheese to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How do you store leftover smoked cream cheese?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from an online calculator. Although raspberriesandkohlrabi.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
More easy summer recipes!
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