Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze Recipe
This Baked Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. Cream cheese and sharp white cheddar blend harmoniously with fresh garlic, onion, and parsley, then baked to warm perfection. Topped with sweet and spicy pepper jelly, this dip offers a delightful balance of creamy and tangy flavors that pairs beautifully with crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (standard block, at room temperature)
- 4 oz old white cheddar cheese (about 1 3/4 cup packed, shredded)
- 1 teaspoon onion (grated or very finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic (grated or very finely chopped)
- 1-2 Tablespoons parsley (chopped)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping and Garnish
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup pepper jelly (choose your preferred variety such as jalapeno or mixed pepper)
- Additional parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (non-convection). Prepare a baking dish or two shallow round ramekins about 5 inches in diameter. The depth of the cheese mixture should be about 1 inch when spread out.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, shredded old white cheddar, grated onion, grated garlic, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth.
- Fill the Baking Dish: Spoon the cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish(es), spreading and leveling the top to create a uniform layer.
- Bake the Dip: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dip is warmed through. Take care not to overbake as this could cause the sides to puff up and result in an uneven surface for the jelly topping.
- Warm the Pepper Jelly: While the dip is baking, melt the pepper jelly until it is pourable. You can do this by microwaving it for short intervals or heating gently in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the Jelly Topping: Remove the baking dish from the oven and immediately spoon the warm pepper jelly evenly over the top of the hot dip. Use the back of a spoon to spread it gently to cover the surface completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dip with additional chopped parsley. Serve the dip warm or at room temperature with crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
- Optional Make-Ahead: You can bake the dip ahead of time without the pepper jelly topping. Refrigerate and then warm gently in the microwave or oven before topping and serving.
Notes
- You can choose different types of pepper jelly for variation, such as jalapeño, habanero, or mixed pepper jellies depending on your preferred spice level.
- This dip is best served warm or at room temperature to fully enjoy the melted cheese texture and the pepper jelly’s sweetness and spice.
- Use fresh parsley for both mixing into the dip and as a garnish to add brightness and color.
- Do not overbake the dip as it may puff up and become lumpy, which makes spreading the jelly topping difficult.
