Smoked Cream Cheese That Steals the Show Every Time
This smoked cream cheese recipe transforms a simple cream cheese block into a smoky, caramelized appetizer with a golden crust and a warm, creamy center. It's packed with bold BBQ flavor, easy to customize, and perfect for serving with crackers, veggies, or a sweet drizzle of pepper jelly.
Equipment
- Smoker or oven
- Heavy-duty foil or cast-iron skillet
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Small knife for scoring
- Tongs or spatula for lifting
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sweet BBQ rub
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 tsp maple syrup for a lightly sweet finish
- 2 tbsp crushed pecans for added crunch
- Everything bagel seasoning or chili flakes for flavor twists
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225°F (or oven to 250°F).
- Unwrap cream cheese and place on foil or skillet. Score top in a crisscross pattern.
- Brush with olive oil and coat evenly with BBQ rub, paprika, and pepper.
- Smoke for 2 hours, rotating once halfway through.
- For oven version, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the olive oil before brushing.
- Let the block rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Drizzle with maple syrup or pepper jelly and top with pecans.
Notes
Contains dairy. For best results, use full-fat cream cheese and allow the block to rest briefly before serving to help it hold its shape.