Cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, onions, and pepper jelly. This party cheese spread recipe is wildly addictive.
So… full confession? I didn’t mean to create a signature party dish. It kind of just… happened. You know those potlucks where everyone brings “a little something,” but somehow you end up with five bags of chips and a store-bought fruit tray that nobody touches except for like, three grapes?
Yeah. I’d been burned one too many times. I wanted to bring something—real. Something that looked a little fancy but didn’t require three hours, five burners, or a degree from Le Cordon Bleu.
What I had in my fridge was… well, random. A block of cream cheese I was probably saving for bagels that never showed up. Half a bag of cheddar. An unopened jar of pepper jelly that I’d bought at a craft fair from a woman named Dot (who promised it’d “change your life”). And some bacon bits. Not the good kind, either. The kind that come in a plastic jar and smell like crunchy salt.
But I made it work. I pressed all that stuff into a bundt pan, crossed my fingers, and shoved it in the fridge. No expectations, just survival mode. When I flipped it out at the party? People gasped. Gasped.
One guy literally said, “What is that?” like I’d reinvented cheese. And once they tried it… gone. Every crumb. Dot’s jelly finally had its moment. And that, my friend, is how this Party Cheese Spread Recipe became my thing.
Why You’ll Love This Party Cheese Spread Recipe?
I’ll be honest: I’ve made this when I was tired, grumpy, and wearing a hoodie with dried ketchup on the sleeve. I’ve also made it for fancy gatherings where people pronounce “hors d’oeuvres” correctly and don’t microwave their wine.
It works for both. That’s the beauty of this cheese ring. It’s got this salty, creamy base, a little tang from the sour cream, melty cheese goodness, crunchy pecans, and then—bam—pepper jelly. That little bit of sweet heat takes it from “okay, cool” to “wait, who made this and can they marry me?”
Plus, you don’t have to cook a single thing. You can make it in your pajamas. You can make it while watching Netflix. I once made it while having a mini meltdown because I forgot we were supposed to bring something to a neighborhood BBQ until, like, 30 minutes before.
Ingredient Notes:
Nothing fancy here. Just ingredients with stories behind them. And yes, you can swap stuff around if your grocery run got weird.
-
Cream Cheese – This is the glue. The body. The best part. Soften it or you’ll be cursing while trying to stir it. Trust me.
-
Mayo + Sour Cream – You need both. Mayo adds richness. Sour cream adds tang. Kinda like that friend duo who balance each other out.
-
Shredded Mozzarella + Cheddar – Mozzarella melts like a dream. Cheddar brings the sharpness. If you only have one… go with your gut.
-
Green Onions – Bright, fresh, and green so you can lie to yourself that it’s “kind of healthy.”
-
Bacon Bits – Do I use real bacon? Sometimes. Do I also reach for the fake crunchy ones when I’m in a rush? You bet.
-
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder – This is your flavor base. The backbone. Don’t skip it.
-
Pepper Jelly – The drama. The twist. The jelly is what makes people say “oooh.”
-
Pecans (optional, but not really) – The crunch is everything. They’re like the soundtrack to your cheese movie.
How To Make Party Cheese Spread?
Step 1: Line your bundt pan.
You know that 8-cup bundt pan gathering dust in the back of your cabinet? Dust her off. Line it with plastic wrap. Let it hang over the sides. It’s gonna save you later. Future you will be grateful.
Step 2: Make the cheesy base.
In a big bowl (and I mean big—it gets messy), toss in the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, cheddar, mozzarella, green onions, bacon, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Now stir. Use a spoon, your hands, whatever. Just get it mixed and don’t overthink it.
Step 3: Layer in the pretty stuff.
In the bottom of the bundt pan (which becomes the top later—ta-da), sprinkle the pecans, green onions, and bacon. No need for perfection. This isn’t a wedding cake.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 4: Press in the cheese mix.
Scoop the cheese spread over the toppings. Press it down. Firmly. Like you’re trying to squeeze out all your stress from the week. Flatten the top. Cover with more plastic wrap.
Step 5: Chill. You and the cheese.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Overnight is even better. You’ve earned a break.
Step 6: Flip and serve.
Ready? Peel off the top wrap. Flip the pan onto a plate. Take a deep breath. Lift. Remove the plastic. If it unmolds cleanly, you’re basically a kitchen wizard. Spoon the pepper jelly into the center like you’re crowning it queen of the snack table.
Storage Options:
Wrap it up and toss it in the fridge. It’s still amazing the next day. I’ve spread it on toast, added it to sandwiches, and maybe once ate a spoonful straight from the container while standing in front of the fridge. Zero regrets.
Variations and Substitutions:
I’ve tried all kinds of tweaks. It still works.
-
No nuts? Cool. Use sunflower seeds. Or skip the crunch entirely.
-
No pepper jelly? Fig jam is amazing. Apricot is good. Grape jelly is… okay.
-
No bundt pan? Use a bowl. Shape it with your hands. Call it rustic.
-
Hate mayo? Add more sour cream. Or Greek yogurt. It’s not sacred.
Make it yours. The Party Cheese Spread Recipe is chill like that.
What to Serve with Party Cheese Spread?
-
Crackers – Any kind. I like the buttery ones.
-
Pretzels – That salty crunch is A+.
-
Toasted baguette slices – Makes you feel like you’re hosting a wine tasting.
-
Veggies – Because balance.
-
Mini bagels, pita chips, tortilla chips – Whatever you have, honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yep. I recommend it. The flavors deepen and it holds better.
What’s the best jam if I don’t like pepper jelly?
Fig is my personal fave. Raspberry with a little balsamic? Amazing. Just avoid super sweet stuff like strawberry unless you balance it.
Can I freeze it?
Nah. It gets weird. Cream cheese doesn’t freeze like a champ. Make it fresh—you’ll be glad you did.
This Party Cheese Spread Recipe has made its way into more gatherings than I can count—football Sundays, New Year’s, even my cousin’s bridal shower where we drank sangria and laughed way too hard over trivia games.
Try it. Tweak it. Tell me how it went. Or just eat it straight from the plate and call that dinner. I won’t tell.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Party Cheese Spread Recipe
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions finely chopped
- 1 cup bacon crumbles
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Topping (Placed in Bundt Pan):
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 1/3 cup bacon crumbles
For Serving:
- 3/4 cup pepper jelly or alternative jam of choice
Instructions
Prepare the bundt pan.
- Line an 8-cup bundt pan with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap extends slightly over the edges for easy removal. Press the wrap against the surface of the pan to eliminate air gaps.
Combine the cheese spread.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon crumbles, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the mixture is uniform in consistency.
Arrange the topping layer.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans, additional green onions, and bacon crumbles evenly into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan. These will form the decorative top when the spread is inverted for serving.
Fill the pan.
- Carefully spoon the cheese mixture into the pan over the toppings. Press the mixture firmly with the back of a spoon or spatula to compact and level the surface. Cover the top with the excess plastic wrap.
Chill.
- Refrigerate the filled pan for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the spread to set. For best results, chilling overnight is recommended.
Unmold and serve.
- When ready to serve, remove the top layer of plastic wrap and invert the bundt pan onto a serving platter. Gently lift the pan and peel off the plastic lining. Spoon the pepper jelly into the center cavity of the cheese ring and serve with crackers, bread, or vegetables.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
