As an adult, I have discovered you do not need to spend endless hours in the kitchen just to have good food for a party or other gathering of family and/or friends. You just need a few key ingredients to make yummy appetizers and snacks.
One of the must have key ingredients is cream cheese. It is a versatile, time-saving, and tasty ingredients that makes the party food preparation easy and affordable.
When I find on sale, I stock up (especially, if I have a coupon as well). I don’t freeze it as freezing changes the consistency (although, I understand it can be whipped and used in many foods with success, ie. cheesecake). I do carefully look at the expiration dates as cream cheese usually lasts a long time if unopened in the refrigerator.
Although I have already posted party food recipes for crescent chicken rolls and cheese balls, there are many other great, and easy cream cheese containing snacks/appetizers. Here are some of my favorites:
Salmon and Spread
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. sour cream
2 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped fine
smoked salmon
crackers, baguette rounds or other breads
Blend sour cream and cream cheese. Fold in dill. Place in a small bowl to serve with salmon and crackers/bread. OR, spread mixture on cracker bread and top with salmon or vice versa.
Crab Spread
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
1/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
1 can lump crab meat, drained
1 bottle seafood cocktail sauce
Blend sour cream, cream cheese, and seasoning. Place mixture in a shallow bowl or dish. Top with crab meat and cocktail sauce. Serve chilled with crackers.
Simply Topped: Jelly
8 oz. brick of cream cheese
1 jar hot pepper jelly (or other jelly flavor of choice)
Pour jelly over cheese. Serve with crackers.
Simply Topped: Olives
8 oz. brick of cream cheese
1 jar sliced olives (green-stuffed or ripe)
Pour olives on top of cream cheese. Serve with crackers.
Fruit Dip 1
8 oz. cream cheese
7 oz. marshmallow creme
Blend until well incorporated. Serve in a bowl or hollowed out fruit with washed and cut fruit.
Fruit Dip 2
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. yogurt (plain or vanilla)
1 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Combine all ingedients. Serve in bowl or hollowed out fruit with washed and cut fruit.