Save A festive, creamy appetizer featuring tangy cream cheese topped with sweet and spicy pepper jelly, shaped into a beautiful star for a party-ready presentation.
This appetizer never fails to impress guests at our holiday gatherings and is always one of the first to disappear.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- Red Pepper Jelly: 120 ml (½ cup)
- Fresh Herbs: finely chopped (optional)
- Assorted Crackers: or baguette slices, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Place the softened cream cheese on a sheet of plastic wrap. Using clean hands or a spatula, gently mold it into a star shape (alternatively, use a star-shaped cookie cutter as a mold).
- Step 2:
- Carefully transfer the shaped cream cheese onto a serving platter.
- Step 3:
- Spoon the pepper jelly evenly over the top of the cream cheese, allowing some to drip attractively down the sides.
- Step 4:
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
- Step 5:
- Serve immediately with crackers or baguette slices.
Save Our family looks forward to this star appetizer every holiday season; it's a true crowd-pleaser that brings everyone together.
Required Tools
Plastic wrap, spatula or butter knife, star-shaped cookie cutter (optional), serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cream cheese). Use gluten-free crackers to keep it gluten-free. Always check pepper jelly and cracker labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 120, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 2 g per serving
Save This delightful appetizer adds festive charm to any party and is incredibly simple to prepare.
Recipe Help
- → How do I shape the cream cheese into a star?
Use plastic wrap to mold the softened cream cheese with your hands or employ a star-shaped cookie cutter for a precise form.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, chilling the shaped cream cheese for 10–15 minutes before adding jelly helps maintain the star shape.
- → What varieties of pepper jelly work best?
Try classic red pepper jelly, or experiment with jalapeño, hot pepper, or fruit-infused options for varied flavors.
- → What can I serve alongside this dish?
Assorted crackers or baguette slices complement the creamy and spicy combination well.
- → Is this suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, when paired with gluten-free crackers, this dish aligns with gluten-free dietary needs.