Pin it
This DIY New Orleans Cheese Spread blends soft cream cheese with a hot, sweet pecan coating for a tasty mix of flavors that's great at parties. It's super easy to make but looks fancy on your table. The mix of sweet and salty tastes amazing on sturdy crackers, and your guests will definitely want to know how you made it.
What Makes This Spread Special
This treat lives up to its lavish name. The base is smooth and rich with hints of onion and garlic flavor, while the sugary, butter-soaked pecans on top give it an irresistible crunch. You'll love how the savory and sweet elements work together, especially when spread on crackers or bread. Folks can't get enough of it whether it's warm or cool, so it works for both fancy occasions and casual hangouts.
What You'll Need For New Orleans Cheese Spread
- Cheese Mixture:
- 16 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 small grated onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Sugared Pecans:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans
- To Serve With:
- Various sturdy crackers
- Baguette slices
- Herb garnish
Easy Preparation Method
- Mix The Creamy Base
- Blend softened cream cheese with grated onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until completely smooth. Form it into a round disk about 6 inches across on your serving dish.
- Get Pecans Ready
- Put pecans on a baking tray. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until they smell nutty, giving them a stir halfway. Let them cool then chop them up.
- Cook The Sweet Topping
- Mix butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard in a pan over medium heat. Keep stirring until sugar melts and the mix gets a bit thick, around 3-4 minutes.
- Mix In Nuts
- Take the pan off the heat. Fold in your toasted chopped pecans until they're fully covered.
- Put It All Together
- Pour the hot pecan mixture over your cream cheese disk. Add some fresh herbs to make it pretty. Serve right away with crackers.
Helpful Tricks For Best Results
Make sure your cream cheese is truly soft for easy mixing. Don't walk away while toasting pecans as they burn fast. Let the pecan mix cool slightly before pouring it on so it won't melt your cheese. Your butter should be room temp for a smoother sauce. Use the tiniest grater holes for the onion so it blends in better.
Pin it
Ways To Serve This Tasty Spread
Show it off on a pretty plate with different crackers and bread around it. Toss some fresh herbs or extra pecans on top to make it look nice. Keep the topping warm with a warming plate underneath if you can. Serve it as part of a bigger cheese display for more options. It's perfect for holiday parties or when friends come over for drinks.
How To Store And Prep Ahead
You can make the cheese base two days early and keep it in the fridge. Whip up the pecan topping just before your guests arrive for the freshest taste. Any leftovers will last about 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can warm up the topping in the microwave if you want it hot again. Don't try freezing it though - it'll get all weird and grainy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why soften cream cheese first?
- Soft cream cheese mixes better with other ingredients, preventing those pesky lumps in the dip.
- → Can this be prepped in advance?
- Sure, make the cheese base earlier! Just wait to add the pecan topping until it's time to serve for the best crunch.
- → What are good crackers for this?
- Sturdy crackers work best since the spread’s thick. Think wheat crackers, water crackers, or any firm kind.
- → Can I skip chopping the pecans myself?
- Pre-chopped pecans work, but chopping them fresh gives a better crunch and flavor.
- → Why use grated onion?
- Grating onion creates bold flavor without biting into big chunks, keeping the dip smooth.