Red Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese

Delicious foods are required for the best holiday party! We have tons of great dip recipes and finger foods to serve up, and one of the most perfect appetizer recipes is a red pepper jelly cream cheese dip. 

Spicy red pepper jelly does all the work, and when dipped with assorted crackers or tortilla chips is a simple appetizer that is perfect for holiday entertaining. 

Why you will love Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip!

No-bake appetizer dip – It’s a myth that great food requires long baking times. This dip recipe is loved by so many as a favorite appetizer and requires no dipping at all.

Prep time is almost non-existent! 

Just take your favorite red or green pepper jelly and smother a package of cream cheese for the most amazing and quick appetizer. 

Simple recipes rule the cheese platter – When serving dishes like pepper jelly cheese spread at a party, one of the most important rules is to replace devoured cracker dip.

Basic ingredients like cold cuts and slices of cheese keep a charcuterie board full, but it’s still nice to have quick, simple dips and a cheese ball recipe for a classier and more unique layout. 

Simple Ingredients:

• block cream cheese softened
• jar of hot pepper jelly
• red pepper flakes
• Buttery crackers for serving

How to make Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly

1. Place a block of cream cheese on a platter and use the back of a spoon to create a divot in the cheese.
2. Microwave jelly for 30 seconds and stir until smooth.
3. Spoon pepper jelly dip on top of the softened cream cheese and sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
4. Serve with the suggested buttery crackers below.

How to soften cream cheese for dips

Remove the brick of cream cheese from the foil packaging. Leave on a plate for 20 minutes at room temperature. 

If you microwave cream cheese for long periods, it will melt, so we do not recommend this method.

What is the Best Red Pepper Jelly?

There are very few arguments from me on making homemade hot pepper jelly. Unfortunately, I do not have a recipe to showcase now, and truthfully I prefer a storebought red pepper jelly for ease. 

I purchased Braswells Red Pepper Jelly for my dips (Walmart, Publix), and Stonewall Kitchen has a great version. 

Spicy Red Pepper Jelly Dip Variations

As this is a spicy dip, we like dusting the top with more red pepper flakes. But if you want to keep the flavor toned (or the red pepper jelly is enough), try adding a topping of crispy bacon pieces.

Another great idea is to skip the plain cream cheese and opt for a goat cheese or feta cheese mixture as the base. 

Must-have for Cream Cheese Dips

You must have a condiment spreading knife for cream cheese dips. Crackers break really easily with the toughness of even softened cream cheese. 

Here is an inexpensive set to keep on hand for holiday appetizers.

Best Crackers for Serving Red Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese

Hands down, our favorite cracker to serve hot pepper jelly and cream cheese is a Ritz cracker. 

We also love club crackers to serve. One thing to note is that these types of buttery crackers like Ritz, while delicious, may break under pressure, and it’s best to use a small cheese knife to keep the cracker from breaking. 

Dipping directly into cream cheese blocks requires a stronger cracker like a pretzel cracker or a toasted garlic or bagel chip. 

If you want to serve without crackers, this goes great with harder veggies like sliced cucumbers or celery sticks.

More Easy Cream Cheese Dip Recipes

Need some more incredible cream cheese dip recipes? Hands down, my favorite cream cheese dip is this cranberry cream cheese dip recipe. We make it for every party we take something to.

Don’t tell the doctor dip and boat dip are thick potato chip dips that are perfect for summer.

Cream cheese also makes a great base for hot dips and melts perfectly in dips like this spicy pepperoni dip recipe and bacon spinach dip.