My garlic and herb cheese spread is a delectably creamy and savory appetizer that's sure to be a hit at your next gathering. A beloved favorite paired with crackers and cut veggies, this garlic and herb cheese spread recipe features sweet and earthy roasted garlic, tangy goat cheese, whipped cream cheese, with fresh dill, chives and thyme!
An Irresistibly Delicious Cheese Spread with a Gourmet Slant
When it comes to serving appetizers for a gathering, if there's one food item that I can always count on to disappear in no time, it's cheese.
Cheese is always a welcome and beloved staple to offer up, and when it's in dip or spread form, that's even better.
Being a cheese lover myself, I know very well how deliciously a hot melty dip such as my artichoke dip or my cheesy butternut squash dip can hit the spot, or even a cold one such as my labneh or my scrumptious and colorful cheese ball recipe.
But my latest favorite cheese option to serve at family gatherings is my garlic and herb cheese spread, in all of its fluffy, creamy, savory and irresistibly herby glory—it is so easy and so good!
I gave this cheese spread a gourmet twist by adding in roasted garlic and a trio of fresh herbs such as chives, dill and thyme, and used both whipped cream cheese and mild, creamy and tangy goat cheese for added depth and balance.
Whipped together until smooth, light, fluffy and creamy, this garlic and herb cheese spread is sure to disappear from the table when served alongside of yummy crackers, cut veggies or toasted baguette slices.
It's definitely one for the recipe tin if you're a cheese lover like I am, perfect for the holidays, or anytime you crave a savory cheese spread!
My Recipe for Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread
For this mouthwatering cheese spread recipe, I took some inspiration from pub cheese, which we've always loved in our household.
My hubby and son would go through tubs of this stuff when we'd visit a local cheese shop, or when I brought it home from a trip to my local Trader Joe's.
For my cheese spread here, I'm going in an herby and garlicky direction instead of a cheddar and beer-infused one (the classic pub cheese profile), yet still creating a smooth, rich, fluffy and creamy consistency that is easy to spread on with a knife just the same.
For the cheese base of this spread, I'm using whipped cream cheese for neutral flavor and light, fluffy texture, and I'm adding to this mix a tangy goat cheese. They get blended together in the food processor until super creamy and with light, whipped consistency.
These two cheeses pair really well with the sweet and earthy roasted garlic cloves that I mash up into a paste and fold in, along with the woody thyme, and the fresh clean chives and dill, plus Italian seasoning (a dried herb blend).
Here's a glance at my garlic and herb cheese spread recipe: (or just jump to the full recipe...)
- To get started, I roast my heads of garlic in foil, and once golden-brown and deliciously soft, I allow them to cool just enough so I can handle them, and then squeeze the cloves from their papers. I mash with a fork to create a paste, and then set the paste aside.
- Next, I whip together my whipped cream cheese and my goat cheese using my food processor until light, creamy and fluffy.
- I then spoon the cheese mixture into a bowl and fold in my roasted garlic paste, my fresh herbs and dried herbs, plus a pinch of salt and pepper until combined.
- To serve, I spoon the garlic and herb cheese spread into a large serving bowl or jar, and serve with crackers, toasts, and cut vegetables.
Recipe
Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread
by Ingrid Beer
This garlic and herb cheese spread made with a touch of goat cheese is loaded with roasted garlic and a savory trio of fresh herbs!
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Yield: Serves 10
Nutrition Info: 247 calories per serving
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes (to roast garlic)
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 4 whole, small heads of garlic, or 3 medium size heads
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 2 (8 ounce) containers whipped cream cheese, room temp
- 8 ounces goat cheese, room temp
- 3 tablespoons minced chives
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Begin by gathering and prepping all of the ingredients according to the ingredient list above to ready and organized for use.
- Preheat your oven to 400°, and prepare 3 or 4 medium size squares for foil for the garlic heads. Cut the tops off of the garlic heads, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and wrap each head tightly in the foil. Roast on a small baking sheet for 50 minutes, until the garlic is golden-brown and the cloves very soft and fragrant.
- Allow the garlic to cool just enough to handle, then squeeze the soft cloves from their papers and mash into a paste using a fork or knife. Set aside for a moment to cool.
- Next, add the room temp whipped cream cheese and the goat cheese to the bowl of a food processor, and process for roughly 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is incredibly smooth and creamy, like frosting.
- Spoon the creamy cheese mixture into a bowl, and add in the roasted garlic paste, the fresh chives, dill and thyme, plus the Italian seasoning. Sprinkle in a pinch or two of salt and pepper, to taste.
- Fold the ingredients together until thoroughly combined, and if using immediately, spoon into a large serving bowl or glass jar, and serve with crackers or toast and cut veggies, or keep covered and cold in the fridge until ready to serve.
Tips & Tidbits for my Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread recipe:
- Whipped cream cheese out of a tub: When opting for cream cheese, make sure it is whipped cream cheese, not traditional. Whipped cream cheese is very light and fluffy rather than super thick, and blends incredibly well with the rest of the ingredients. It can typically be found in a tub container next to traditional cream cheese.
- Mild, creamy goat cheese: The mild, slightly tangy and savory flavor of goat cheese is a delicious ingredient in this gourmet tasting cheese spread. It's rich and creamy, and blends into a smooth, light consistency with the whipped cream cheese in the food processor. If you're not a fan, you could sub feta cheese or blue cheese, but the consistency may not be quite as smooth as the goat cheese.
- Make this garlic and herb cheese spread ahead: This is such a terrific and easy appetizer to have ready and on hand for the holidays, or any gathering. You can make it days in advance and it'll taste absolutely delicious! Just keep it in a covered container in the fridge until about 15 minutes before you're ready to serve, to allow to come to room temp a little bit.
- What to serve with garlic and herb cheese spread: I love garlic or plain flatbread crackers here, or wheat crackers (woven or flat), as well as mini toasts, toasted baguette, or cut vegetables such as celery, radishes, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Craving more cozy and delectably cheesy appetizers? Check out my Cheese Ball recipe, my Burrata Recipe, or my recipe for Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions, Whipped Goat Cheese, Labneh, Cheesy Garlic Bread, or even my recipe for French Onion Mushroom Tarts!
Em
Could I whip my own cream cheese? Just have a block in the fridge that needs to be used.
The Cozy Apron
Hi Em, if you have a block you're looking to use up, then yes, it will work OK (though, depending on how many ounces the block is, you may still need to supplement with additional whipped cream cheese in a tub). Make sure it is room temp and very soft when you're ready to add it to the food processor and whip (along with the goat cheese), and it will become creamy and smooth just fine.
Hope you enjoy!