This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through those links (at no extra cost to you).
Cream cheese with pepper jelly is a Midwestern delicacy, a beloved appetizer made from just 2 ingredients. Itโs creamy, spicy, and sweet, and youโll love it.
If youโve never tried cream cheese with pepper jelly, youโre in for a real treat. And nothing could be easier! Open a block of cream cheese; open a jar of red pepper jelly. Pour the jelly on the cream cheese and serve with crackers.
Itโs perfect on a charcuterie board, too! The combination of textures and flavors is absolutely delightful.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Pepper jelly: Make your own pepper jelly with 5 ingredients (red peppers, habaรฑeros, sugar, vinegar, and pectin) or use store bought.
Homemade Sweet Pepper Jelly
Sweet and spicy pepper jelly, when properly prepared, is a unique and interesting condiment with so many applications. The tricky part is hitting the right balance of heat and sweet, and many recipes miss theโฆ
View Recipe
Instructions
- In a serving dish, set the block of cream cheese. Top with pepper jelly and serve with crackers.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 8 servings, ยผ cup each (assuming 2 ounces cream cheese and 2 ounces pepper jelly).
- Storage: This recipe is best enjoyed the day it is made.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you donโt love the sweet and spicy heat of red pepper jelly, cream cheese is also delicious with strawberry or apricot jelly.
Pepper jelly is available at many national grocery stores including Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods. Look for brands like Stonewall Kitchen, Reeseโs, or Tabasco brand.
Midwest Charcuterie Board
A Midwest Charcuterie Board ripe with regional offerings is perfect for all-day grazing and parties with people you love. Make a few things, buy the rest, and enjoy it all! I never met a charcuterieโฆ
View Recipe
More classic appetizers
Appetizer Recipes
Veggie Pizza
Appetizer Recipes
Ham Roll Ups
Appetizer Recipes
Deviled Eggs with Mustard
Appetizer Recipes
Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce
Join Us
Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly
Ingredientsย
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces red pepper jelly (see note 1)
- crackers for serving
Instructionsย
- In a serving dish, set the block of cream cheese. Top with pepper jelly and serve with crackers.
Notes
- Pepper jelly: Make your own pepper jelly with 5 ingredients (red peppers, habaรฑeros, sugar, vinegar, and pectin) or use store bought.
- Yield: This recipe makes 8 servings, ยผ c. each (assuming 2 oz. cream cheese and 2 oz. pepper jelly).
- Storage: This recipe is best enjoyed the day it is made.
Do you heat the jelly or pour it cold?
Hi Gramma, thank you for writing! I prefer to have the jelly cool so it spreads evenly over the cream cheese, but still hold some of itโs shape. I also recommend allowing the the cream cheese to soften some before serving, so itโs easier to spread. Take care! โ Meggan
Can you substitute green chilies jelly in place of the red pepper jelly? I vaguely recall attending a dinner party where the hostess served cream cheese with what I believe was green chilies jelly(?) over the cheese. It was quite good, but I canโt recall if it was green chili jelly! I simply remember it was green.
Hi Mary Ann, absolutely! Green pepper jelly is similar to red pepper jelly, but typically uses green bell peppers and jalapeรฑos instead of red peppers and habaneros. Take care! โ Meggan