Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread
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Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread is a combination of cream cheese, apricots, bacon, and cheddar. It's a tangy, sweet and savory appetizer that's perfect for holidays.
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Recipe Highlights
Cheese Spreads never go out of style. They're so versatile and delicious that you'll frequently see them at holiday celebrations.
My favorite cheese spreads have the perfect balance of jam and savory cheeses blended together. I like to serve this tasty spread with Crockpot Mulled Cider during the holidays.
Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread is creamy, tart, sweet, and crunchy. There's just enough sweetness from the dried apricots (ad) and saltiness from the bacon to wake up your taste buds.
Above all, it's cracker worthy! Any cracker would be proud to call this cheese spread a friend. It's perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as a Game Day spread!
Ingredients
You probably have most of these ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry, so prep will be a breeze! To start with, you'll need bacon, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried apricots and apricot jam.
Add yellow mustard, onion, garlic salt, and pecans to your shopping list. If you want to garnish this recipe, pick up a bag of fresh cranberries and parsley. See recipe card for ingredient quantities.
Instructions
1 - Start by pan frying 6 strips of bacon until crispy, then crumble into small bits.
2 - Set bacon aside and place 2 packages of cream cheese in a mixer. Blend until creamy, then add the bacon and mix well.
3 - Add shredded cheddar cheese, diced apricots, apricot jam and yellow mustard to the mix. It gives this cheese spread its tart flavor.
4 - Blend all ingredients together for about 1 minute on medium high speed. Then add onion and garlic salt. Finish by blending everything together for a few minutes.
Recipe FAQS
For cheese dips you can use either the full fat or reduced fat version of cream cheese. The full fat version creates a thicker dip that holds up well to the weight of a cracker. If using reduced fat cream cheese, the dip will be thinner.
If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, this cheese spread will last up to 7 days in the refrigerator in an air tight container.
Yes! Guests love this dip with veggies like carrot sticks and celery. It's also delicious with cauliflower and cucumber slices.
Serving Suggestions
Simply scoop the cheese spread onto your favorite serving platter and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Garnish with dried apricots, fresh cranberries and parsley if desired.
Watch out for double dippers when you serve Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread because they'll be there. And, make sure you set aside some for yourself because this spread will disappear before you can say 'where did it go?'
More Appetizers
If you're looking for more great appetizers for your party or event, try these additional ideas...
- Pesto Goat Cheese with Raspberry Sauce
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
- Triple Dip Snack Board
- Build Your Own Flatbread Bar
- Best Sausage Ball Recipe
Recipe Card
Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup dried apricots diced (ad)
- ¼ cup apricot jam
- 2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- ½ cup whole fresh cranberries for garnish optional
- parsley for garnish optional
- extra dried apricots for garnish optional
Instructions
- Fry 6 strips of bacon until crispy, then crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
- Place 2 pkgs. of cream cheese in a mixer. Blend until creamy.
- Add bacon and mix well.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, diced apricots, apricot jam and yellow mustard to the mix.
- Blend all ingredients for 1 minute on medium high speed.
- Add diced onion and garlic salt, then blend all ingredients for a few minutes.
- Scoop cheese spread onto your favorite platter and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Garnish with whole cranberries, parsley and dried apricots if desired.
Notes
- Serve with multi grain crackers.
- Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a closed container.
- Cut prep time in half by using a food processor to chop or dice ingredients.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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Sweet, savory, and crunchy on my crackers. I absolutely love this-sooo good!
Thanks Carol! I love it too!
I would have never thought of putting these ingredients together. Sounds delish!
It's definitely a different twist on a dip. Hope you enjoy!