For your Easter Table:
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
For your Easter Table: Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
Time to forget all that chocolate, as well as any cakes, biscuits and scones that are kicking around, we are on a cheese mission today, and it doesn’t get cheesier than this recipe, as Greg Wallace (of Masterchef) might say; it’s packed with cheese, as well as having spring onions, crispy bacon bits and a smidgeon of garlic in herbs in it, behold the mighty “Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs“, soon to be beloved of all cheese and bacon fans, and my family! Yes, this is a wonderful recipe, and one that came into existence based on an error of mine…..I DIDN’T read the original recipe correctly and created my own version of this delectable spread-cum-dip.
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
I originally made this recipe last week, it was shared by a friend of mine Sarah, who lives in the States, and I made it as part of a cooking challenge; however, I misread the WHOLE method part of the recipe – in my defence I was following the recipe on my phone and having mixed all the ingredients together, I made some sandwiches for a picnic as well as “tested” some of the delectable spread on crackers……WRONG! I should have scrolled down the recipe method and seen that the mixture is then popped into an oven-proof dish and is BAKED, before being served as a hot dip! But, although I will try the baked “hot” dip method next time I make this, I have to say that my mistake was very serendipitous as it is such an amazing spread when made this way.
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
It’s a fabulous recipe to have tucked away for an alternative sandwich filling to the usual ham and tomato or cheese and onion, although I am a BIG fan of cheese and onion as a combination. And furthermore, vegetarians NEED not quake in their boots, as it is easily adapted for their needs by omitting the bacon and adding something else, such as grilled red peppers or spinach, or even artichoke hearts. I see this simple recipe as being a great addition to the Easter Table – simply serve the spread on crackers, or make sandwiches with it, as I did last week. If you want to wander down the “hot dip” route, that’s good too, and I did add the instructions in my recipe card below for those who want to walk on the wild side.
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
So, for an easy recipe for Easter Saturday, perfect for the tea-time table or a picnic, or even as a filling for a baked spud as a simple Saturday supper, why not make a batch of this divine cheesy spread today – I bet most of you will have all the ingredients to hand in your fridge and pantry. Batch number THREE has already been made by me, and I plan to take it along tomorrow, for a seaside picnic with friends, avec baguette et vin of course! Have a wonderful Easter weekend, and I’ll be back after the weekend with a secret recipe, a new giveaway and a wonderful way to brighten up the family meal table with an easy recipe using pantry staples. Bye for now, Karen
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
Print recipe
| Serves | 6 people as a dip or 6 rounds of dsandwiches |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack, Starter |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Formal Party, Thanksgiving, Valentines day |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 150g "Tartare" cream cheese with garlic and herbs (or an equivalent such as Boursin or Philadelphia)
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 100g grated mature Cheddar cheese
- 3 to 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely diced
- 8 rashers of streaky bacon, cooked and crumbled into small pieces (or 100g lardons, cooked)
Optional
- Ritz style crackers, crumbled
Note
This delightful cheese, onion and bacon spread makes a wonderful filling for sandwiches, or a dip when served with crudités, crackers or bread sticks. The recipe serves 6 people as a dip and makes about 5 to 6 rounds of sandwiches. The spread/dip can also be baked for a "hot" dip, as was suggested in the original recipe, as shared by my friend Sarah in the States, although I have adapted it considerably to suit my own requirements! For vegetarians, just omit the bacon and add extra onions or cooked red peppers.
Directions
| Step 1 | Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated Cheddar cheese, diced spring onions and the cooked bacon together in a bowl. Adjust the seasoning if necessary with salt and pepper. |
| Step 2 | Use the spread as a sandwich filler or to spread on crackers as a snack or for pre-dinner appetisers. |
| Step 3 | Note: the original recipe suggests you bake this as a "hot" dip or spread; if you wish to serve this hot, then please follow the instructions below. |
| Step 4 | To serve this spread hot, mix the spread as before, keeping back half of the crumbled cooked bacon. Spoon the spread into an oven proof dish that is suitable as a serving dish too and sprinkle the rest of the bacon bits over the top of the spread. You can also add some crumbled cracker crumbs for an extra crunch too. |
| Step 5 | Bake at 200C/400F/Gas mark 6 for 20 minutes and serve with crackers or bread sticks. Please note, I have not made the recipe this way, so it has not been tested. |
Cream Cheese & Cheddar Spread with Bacon and Herbs
Sylvia says
Super idea, I love spreads with cheese and herbs and crackers are one of my ultimate comfort snacks! In my home country we always eat quite a lot for Easter breakfast so this would be a nice refreshing change 🙂
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Sylvia! This spread would be great for breakfast with assorted bread buns etc!
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
what a lovely spread I will try it without the bacon and maybe add mushrooms instead.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Nayna! This would also be wonderful with grilled red peppers too!
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
This looks so tasty. I have an idea for a variation which I may just make this weekend!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Brilliant! Look forward to seeing what you make Janice!
London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel says
LOL karen, I take it this ISNT a 5:2 diet recipe! sounds delish, but probably for a treat!
Karen Burns-Booth says
NOPE! Definitely NOT 5:2 diet food Fiona! 🙂
Dom says
Such a simple idea but so lovely and so useful. This reminds of the kind of spreads my mum used to serve as canapés for dinner parties.. Gorgeous. Have a lovely Easter x
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Dom! You have a lovely time too! Karen
miss messy says
Lovely lovely spread. This would be a great starter or with cheese and biscuits!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks! Yes, this would make a great starter with home-made bread!
Choclette says
Big cheese fan that I am, I know I would love this spread Karen, even without the bacon.
Karen Burns-Booth says
This spread is great with or without bacon and is therefore suitable for veggies! I know as I have made another batch up yesterday sans bacon Choclette!
cheri says
Beautiful looking spread, your mistake is our gift, and actually turned out not to be a mistake. Love this!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Cheri! I agree that this was very serendipitous!
Glamorous Glutton says
This looks so delicious, Mr Glam would love it. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks GG! Glam Spread it is then! 😉
Lucy Zelazowski says
Looks delicious, think my sons would eat it too.
Lynne stratton says
Hi why can’t I print your receipes
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hi Lynne, I don’t why you can’t print them as I’ve printed this recipe with ease. Have you checked your settings, as in print settings, as the print function is definitely working for me. Karen NB: This is a British recipe plugin and isn’t mine, but a really good recipe plugin.