Smoked Cream Cheese with Hot Honey
Cream cheese smoked, topped with spicy hot honey. Quick smoker tips, variations, and serving ideas for a sweet and savory dip.
Cream cheese topped with a savory salty seasoning, smoked then topped with hot honey. Dip seasoned crackers into cream cheese for a delightful dip on a charcuterie board or by itself. Try it with a savory or sweet seasoning blend!
This recipe comes from our friend, In Krista's Kitchen.
Yield: 6 servings
- Smoke a cold 8 oz block of cream cheese at 160°F to 180°F for about 1.5 hours after scoring and seasoning the top.
- Warm honey with crushed red pepper right before serving and spoon over the smoked cream cheese for a sweet and spicy finish.
- Use a smoker, grill, stovetop smoker, or smoked seasonings if you do not have a smoker. Serve with seasoned crackers or charcuterie.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a smoker?
No. A smoker gives the best flavor, but you can use a charcoal or gas grill set up for indirect heat with wood chips, a stovetop smoker, or a smoking gun. If you have none of those, mimic smoke by sprinkling smoked paprika or smoked salt on the cream cheese and oven-warming at low heat.
What temperature and time should I smoke the cream cheese?
Smoke at 160°F to 180°F for about 1.5 hours. Keep the heat low so the cheese softens without liquefying. Scoring the top helps smoke reach the center.
How do I stop the cream cheese from melting while smoking?
Start with cold cream cheese, keep smoker temps in the 160°F to 180°F range, place the block on parchment and a cool part of the smoker, and check it partway through. Remove it if it becomes too soft.
Can I make this ahead and store it?
Yes. Smoke the cream cheese ahead, store it covered in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the warmed honey separate in a jar. Rewarm the honey and bring the cheese toward room temperature or gently warm before serving.
What can I use instead of cream cheese or honey?
Substitutes for cream cheese include mascarpone, labneh, or a mild whipped goat cheese. For honey swaps try maple syrup, agave, or a fruit jam warmed with chili flakes for heat.
How can I make sweet or savory variations?
For savory, use Italian or herb-based blends with fennel and garlic. For sweet, swap the seasoning for cinnamon-maple sugar or brown sugar plus cinnamon. Keep amounts similar and finish with warm honey or a warm spiced syrup.
What should I serve with smoked cream cheese?
Serve with seasoned crackers, toasted baguette, charcuterie meats, fresh fruit, or pickles. It pairs well with sparkling wine, a light white, or a crisp beer.
Do I have to use a smoker?
No. A smoker gives the best flavor, but you can use a charcoal or gas grill set up for indirect heat with wood chips, a stovetop smoker, or a smoking gun. If you have none of those, mimic smoke by sprinkling smoked paprika or smoked salt on the cream cheese and oven-warming at low heat.
What temperature and time should I smoke the cream cheese?
Smoke at 160°F to 180°F for about 1.5 hours. Keep the heat low so the cheese softens without liquefying. Scoring the top helps smoke reach the center.
How do I stop the cream cheese from melting while smoking?
Start with cold cream cheese, keep smoker temps in the 160°F to 180°F range, place the block on parchment and a cool part of the smoker, and check it partway through. Remove it if it becomes too soft.
Can I make this ahead and store it?
Yes. Smoke the cream cheese ahead, store it covered in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep the warmed honey separate in a jar. Rewarm the honey and bring the cheese toward room temperature or gently warm before serving.
What can I use instead of cream cheese or honey?
Substitutes for cream cheese include mascarpone, labneh, or a mild whipped goat cheese. For honey swaps try maple syrup, agave, or a fruit jam warmed with chili flakes for heat.
How can I make sweet or savory variations?
For savory, use Italian or herb-based blends with fennel and garlic. For sweet, swap the seasoning for cinnamon-maple sugar or brown sugar plus cinnamon. Keep amounts similar and finish with warm honey or a warm spiced syrup.
What should I serve with smoked cream cheese?
Serve with seasoned crackers, toasted baguette, charcuterie meats, fresh fruit, or pickles. It pairs well with sparkling wine, a light white, or a crisp beer.
Comments