38 Best Cream Cheese Recipes That Prove It's the Ultimate Secret Ingredient
One block solves all your problems.
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Go beyond the simple bagel spread and try these cream cheese recipes that put the fridge staple to good use! Whether you're looking to make rich homemade cheesecakes or creamy baked pasta, there are so many sweet and savory ideas that start with a block of cream cheese. In fact, cream cheese is one of Ree Drummond’s favorite secret ingredients! It's the key to her velvety smooth mashed potatoes and a main component in her chocolate peanut butter pie. Of course, it's no secret that she uses the ingredient to make cream cheese cookies. "They're perfectly sweet with a little bit of tang," she says.
If you're hosting friends and family, cream cheese-based dips are a genius way to use up a block of cream cheese and this roundup is full of 'em! Pizza dip loaded with toppings, spicy buffalo chicken dip, or a skillet full of sausage dip, you can't go wrong with these crowd-pleasers for a tailgate. You'll also discover so many delicious sweet treats starring cream cheese: cream cheese swirled brownies, caramel apple cheesecake, and red velvet thumbprint cookies with cream cheese frosting. Beyond the snacks and sweets, there's plenty of ways to incorporate a block of cream cheese into a meal, too. Try the viral feta pasta or one-pot French onion pasta, or enjoy a breakfast casserole for dinner with the everything bagel casserole. Have too much on your hands? You can always freeze cream cheese and try one of these recipes later.
Cream Cheese Cookies
You only need six ingredients and a dusting of powdered sugar to make these easy, old-fashioned cream cheese cookies. They have a heavenly texture that'll make you want to go back for more!
Get the Cream Cheese Cookies recipe.
Oreo Cheesecake
Cookies and cream lovers will go crazy for this over-the-top dessert! It starts with an Oreo cookie crust, followed by a creamy Oreo cookie filling, and topped with crushed Oreos for good measure.
Get the Oreo Cheesecake recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
Cream cheese is the secret to giving this chicken chili its irresistible texture. Plus, it helps to balance out all the bold, smoky flavors from the cumin, paprika, and chili powder.
Get Ree’s Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili recipe.
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
The combination of red velvet and cream cheese frosting are a classic pairing, but this recipe turns the popular cake flavor into an easy thumbprint cookie! Perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or anything in between.
Get Ree’s Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip
It's creamy, cheesy, and downright decadent thanks to the mixture of cream cheese, mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and Monterey jack cheese. If that weren't enough to make you want to scoop it up, there's also plenty of crispy bacon!
Get Ree's Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip recipe.
Cream Cheese Danish
Start your morning off with this flaky breakfast treat! It's made with store-bought puff pastry and a package of cream cheese so it couldn't be easier to make.
Get the Cream Cheese Danish recipe.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip
This dip has the perfect balance of rich cream cheese and tangy sour cream as the base. Then, it adds chicken and bacon for texture and ranch seasoning for a pop of flavor.
Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip recipe.
Crab Rangoon
These crispy pockets of cream cheese and imitation crab are just as good as the ones you've had at restaurants! Serve them with a side of sweet chili sauce and dip away.
Get the Crab Rangoon recipe.
Red Velvet Brownies
These brownies are everything you love about cheesecake and red velvet cake in one sweet square! In this recipe, vibrant red velvet brownies made with real melted chocolate are swirled with a delicious cream cheese topping.
Get the Red Velvet Brownies recipe.
Million Dollar Dip
If you're on the hunt for an appetizer that will steal the show at your next gathering, look no further than Million Dollar Dip! Combining smooth cream cheese with a medley of flavor-packed ingredients like bacon, almonds, and green onions, this dip is a real crowd-pleaser.
Get the Million Dollar Dip recipe.
Key Lime Cheesecake
This inventive dessert combines the two classics—key lime pie and cheesecake—into one refreshing treat! The addition of key lime juice and zest infuses the cheesecake with a burst of citrusy freshness, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the cream cheese.
Get the Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
These stunning strawberry bars turn the best parts of cheesecake— the tangy filling and buttery crust—into a handheld treat! They're made of real strawberries and a cream cheese filling.
Get the Strawberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
The secret to Ree's creamiest ever mashed potatoes? A block of cream cheese! It gives these potatoes a rich taste and velvety smooth texture.
Get Ree's Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Fluff salads are a holiday tradition, especially this ambrosia one. Think: juicy fruit, shredded coconut, marshmallows, and a thick cream cheese "dressing." What more could you want?
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Hot Corn Dip
This party dip is chock full of corn, peppers, and green onions folded into a delectable base of melted Monterey jack and cream cheese. Pair it with crunchy tortilla chips or fresh veggie sticks for a dip that's sure to be the star of the spread.
Get Ree's Hot Corn Dip recipe.
Carrot Cake Muffins
What's carrot cake without a decadent cream cheese frosting? These breakfast muffins are topped with buttery streusel and then drizzled in the mandatory thick cream cheese icing.
Get the Carrot Cake Muffins recipe.
Pizza Dip
This pizza dip doesn't lack in the cheese department! It has cream cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella and is topped with your favorite pizza toppings! Scoop it up with hunks of baguette.
Get the Pizza Dip recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
Need to use up the rest of a block of cream cheese? Smear it on bread and make a batch of tea sandwiches! The bite-size beauties are perfect for a baby shower, luncheon, or snack.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Feta Pasta
This pasta dish went viral for good reason—it's incredibly easy and so darn delicious! For this spin, we use feta cheese and cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Get the Feta Pasta recipe.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Cream cheese is what gives cheesecake its creaminess and richness. This fall spin is topped with soft apples and sticky caramel sauce—yum!
Get the Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe.
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