Home DIY 5 Easy Cream Cheese Recipes

5 Easy Cream Cheese Recipes

One would have a hard time finding someone who does not like a creamy, rich cheesecake. The main ingredient in cheesecakes is cream cheese. The texture of this decadent ingredient contributes to the smoothness and creamy nature of both dessert and savory dishes.

Unlike most cheeses, cream cheese does not feature in the group known to us as ‘Stinky Cheese’. Cream cheese is smooth and spreadable and has a mild cheese flavor. When one talks about cream cheese, we immediately think of cheesecake. While cheesecake is one the greatest inventions since chocolate, cream cheese can be used as the primary ingredient in an array of culinary treats. Here are a few of the many recipes that will help you along on this creamy, cheesy journey.

1. Bacon and Caramelized Onion Dip/Spread

Bacon and caramelized onion dip recipe.

Ingredients

  • Cream cheese – 250g, softened and lightly whipped
  • Bacon – 4 rashers, chopped
  • Fresh cream/sour cream – 1 cup
  • Onions – 1.250kg, thinly and evenly sliced
  • Brown sugar – 4 tsp
  • Olive oil – 5 tbsp (3+2)
  • Tabasco sauce to taste (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • On medium heat, add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a heavy, non-stick pan.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the bacon and sauté till shriveled and almost crispy
  • With a slotted spoon, place the cooked bacon on paper towel to remove excess oil.
  • Using the oil in the same pan, add 3 tbsp more of olive oil and add the onions and sugar.
  • Cook the onions till they are soft and golden brown, sautéing continuously. It takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • To the whipped cream cheese, fold in the cream, bacon and the slightly cooled onions.
  • Add a few splashes of Tabasco if you want a spicy kick.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve warm or refrigerated.

2. Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • Cream cheese – 450g, at room temperature
  • Butter – 300g, at room temperature
  • Icing sugar – 650g, sifted
  • Vanilla extract/essence – 1 tsp

Method

  1. With a cake mixer or beaters, whip the cream cheese, butter and extract.
  2. Once combined, slowly add the sugar little by little till smooth.

3. Carrot Cake Waffles with Zesty Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake waffles and cream cheese frosting recipe.

 Ingredients

1. For the cake:

  • Flour – 1 ¼ cups
  • Sunflower oil – 1/3 cup
  • Sugar – ½ cup
  • Carrots – 3 (medium), peeled and grated
  • Eggs – 2 (large)
  • Baking powder – 1 tsp
  • Baking soda – ¾ tsp
  • Ginger powder – ½ tsp
  • Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp
  • Milk – ¼ cup, room temperature
  • Vanilla extract/essence – ½ tsp
  • Orange zest – 1 tsp

2. For the cream cheese frosting

  • Using the above cream cheese frosting recipe, add 1 ½ tsp of orange zest.
  • Roast chopped walnuts in an oven till crisp. Use to sprinkle on frosting.

 Method

  • Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius.
  • Whisk together the sifted dry ingredients. Keep aside.
  • Whisk the wet ingredients in another bowl. Add the carrots and stir.
  • To the wet mix, add the flour mix until combined.
  • Do not overmix. The batter will be lumpy.
  • Preheat the waffle maker and grease both sides with oil or butter.
  • Fill the iron with ¾ of the full capacity with batter.
  • Close the waffle iron and cook till golden brown and slightly crisp.
  • Encase the waffle in foil and leave in oven to stay warm while making the rest of the waffles.
  • Spread the frosting on the waffle and sprinkle the walnuts.
  • Serve immediately.

4. Spicy Cream Cheese and Cheesy Chicken Salad Sandwich

Cream cheese chicken sandwich recipe

Ingredients

1. For the spicy cream cheese

  • Cream cheese – 250g, softened
  • Spring onions – 2, finely chopped
  • Lime juice 1-1 ½ tsp
  • Jalapenos/red paprika – 2 tbsp

 2. For the cheesy chicken salad

  •  Cream cheese – ¼ cup, softened
  • Sour cream – ¼ cup
  • Cooked chicken – 1 cup, shredded
  • Tomato – 1 (medium), deseeded and chopped
  • Onion – 1 (medium)
  • Coriander – ¼ cup
  • Lime juice – 2 tsp
  • Avocado – ¾ cup, diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. For the spicy cream cheese:

  •  Mix all the ingredients well with a fork. Season well.

2. For the cheesy chicken salad:

 Add the lime juice to the avocado in a medium bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

3. To assemble:

  •  Slice a bun or bagel in half.
  • Spread the spicy cream cheese on one half and then add a heaped tbsp of the chicken salad.

Variations

  • Add olives or capers to the salad.
  • Use slices of bread for the sandwich or serve the salad and spicy cream cheese as dips on crackers.

 

5. Cream Cheese Samosas

Cream cheese samosa recipe

Ingredients

  • Cream cheese – 250g at room temperature and softened
  • Spring onions – 2, finely chopped
  • Tabasco/Sriracha sauce – 2 tsp
  • Ready-to-fry samosa wrappers – 24
  • Egg – 1
  • Sunflower oil – for frying
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. For the filling:

  •  In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, onions and hot sauce. Beat egg with ½ cup water in another bowl.

2. To assemble:

  •  Place ½ tsp of the cream cheese mix on one corner of the wrapper. On all the corners, apply some of the egg wash with your finger.
  • Diagonally fold the wrapper from the side of the filling in half, till the filling is covered.
  • Stick the 2 ends together with the egg wash.
  • Let the pointed part fold and tuck naturally.
  • Deep fry till golden.
  • Serve immediately.