This French Quarter Cheese Spread is the ultimate blend of sweet and savory, perfect for pairing with your favorite crackers. This irresistible appetizer starts with a base of creamy, savory cream cheese infused with a subtle kick of garlic and onion flavor. To top it off, a generous layer of sweet, glazed pecans adds a delightful crunch and a touch of sweetness, creating a flavor combination that’s sure to impress.
Easy Cheese Spread with Glaze Pecans
With the holidays upon us, we’re enjoying more family movie nights. Pizza and popcorn is always good, but sometimes we just want something new for movie night snacking. This Pecan and Cream Cheese French Quarter Dip is a new favorite! You can make the cream cheese portion of the recipe ahead of time then whip up the pecan topping right before serving. In a snap you have a delicious and hearty sweet and savory snack.
Why You’ll Love This French Quarter Cheese Spread
- Quick to prepare. It only takes about 20 minutes total to prepare this cheese spread.
- Great to make ahead. Since it requires chilling time, it’s perfect to prepare ahead of time.
- Many serving ideas. There are various ways to serve this recipe.
What You’ll Need
Here are all the ingredients needed for the savory cream cheese base and the sweet and tangy pecan sauce that is served on top. For more info and measurements, scroll to the recipe card below.
- Cream cheese: This is going to be the base of this cheese spread recipe. It provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor that works well with the other ingredients.
- Onion: I add onion for sweetness. I like to grate it so there aren’t any large pieces.
- Garlic powder: I use garlic powder because it adds the perfect sharp flavor, and I always have it on hand.
- Worcestershire sauce: I use Worcestershire sauce in the cream cheese and in the brown sugar and mustard mixture that goes on top. It’s the perfect savory element.
- Butter: The butter adds fat and flavor to the topping for the French Quarter spread.
- Brown sugar: I add brown sugar to sweeten it. It helps thicken the mixture and adds a depth of flavor you wouldn’t get from white sugar.
- Brown mustard: You may use either brown mustard or spicy mustard. It adds a sharp flavor to balance out the appetizer.
- Pecans: I add pecans for a little crunchy texture.
How to Make French Quarter Cheese Spread
Below are the instructions on how to make both components of this delicious cheese spread. It’s a super easy process that doesn’t require a lot of hands-on cooking.
- Grate the onion. Use a cheese grater to finely grate the onion.
- Make the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese, onion, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to a large mixing bowl. Stir until it’s well combined.
- Form into a disk and chill. Scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Ensure it is tightly wrapped and place it on a plate and in the refrigerator. Chill it for about 2 hours or until firm.
- Melt the butter. When the cream cheese mixture is ready, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Stir in brown sugar, mustard, and the remaining teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Cook the sauce until the sugar has dissolved and it has a smooth consistency. Then, stir in the pecans.
- Pour it over the cream cheese. Pour the warm sauce directly over the top of the cream cheese disk.
- Serve. Enjoy with crackers!
Tips for Success
- Soften the cream cheese. Allow the cream cheese to soften to room temperature so it mixes more easily with the other ingredients.
- Don’t freeze leftovers. The texture of the spread isn’t the same after you thaw it. It is best served immediately after adding the pecan sauce.
- Serving ideas: Here are some suggestions for dippers; Air Fryer Tortilla Chips, Crispy Zucchini Chips, Ritz or Townhouse crackers, celery sticks, or baby carrots.
The Best Crackers
The best crackers to serve with your Pecan and Cream Cheese French Quarter Dip are whatever you enjoy. Here are some of our favorites:
- Wheat Thins
- Triscuit
- Pita crackers or chips
- Ritz (original or wheat)
- Club Crackers
Proper Storage
If you have any leftover French quarter cheese spread, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The pecan topping will harden a bit.
More Appetizer Recipes to Try
French Quarter Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon onion grated
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce divided
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon brown mustard
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Peel a small onion and grate with a cheese grater to get 1 teaspoon of very finely grated onion. It will almost be pureed. This texture is important so it mixes well with the cream cheese without creating any chunks of onion.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, grated onion, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of the Worcestershire sauce. Scoop onto a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a disk. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Chill for 2 hours or over night to allow the flavors to meld. After chilling the cream cheese, unwrap it and place on a serving plate.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the brown sugar, brown mustard, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the pecans to the sauce and stir to coat.
- Pour the pecan mixture over the cream cheese disk and serve immediately with crackers.
Last Step:
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