It’s hard to beat the combination of creamy, tangy, and just-spicy-enough flavors packed into this Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip. Whether you need a lightning-fast appetizer for unexpected company or want to treat yourself to something uniquely delicious, this recipe promises gooey cheese, a lingering kick of heat, and just a touch of sweetness in every mouthful. Share it at gatherings and watch it disappear or let it anchor your weekend snack spread. This dish is comfort made effortless and is absolutely made for sharing… but honestly, don’t be surprised if you want to keep it all to yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip has a purpose, coming together in a way that’s more than the sum of its parts. You don’t need a long list—you just need great flavors that melt and mingle into pure, crowd-pleasing bliss.
- Cream Cheese: Go for full-fat and make sure it’s fully softened—this is the creamy, dreamy base that makes the dip irresistible.
- Hot Honey: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade version; it adds both sweetness and a subtle lingering heat that elevates every bite.
- Red Pepper Flakes: These ramp up the spice factor and add a gorgeous visual pop perched atop the honeyed surface.
- Fresh Chives (optional): These give a gentle oniony freshness, balancing the dip and adding a hit of green color on top.
- Crackers, Crostini, or Veggies: The ultimate dippers—choose what you love for the perfect vehicle to scoop up all that gooey goodness.
How to Make Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by firing up your oven to 375°F. While it’s heating, grab a small oven-safe baking dish or skillet. A shallow dish works best here, giving you plenty of exposed surface for all that sticky hot honey magic. The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it spreads easily and warms through beautifully once baked.
Step 2: Spread the Cream Cheese
Unwrap that block of softened cream cheese and press it gently into your chosen dish, smoothing the top to an even layer. This helps it bubble and brown just right and ensures you get consistent luscious scoops from edge to edge.
Step 3: Drizzle with Hot Honey and Sprinkle with Chili
Pour a quarter cup of your best hot honey all across the surface of the cream cheese layer—don’t miss any spots! Next, scatter the red pepper flakes over the top. This duo is what gives the Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip its signature sweet-spicy combo that nobody can resist.
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbling
Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Watch for bubbling edges and a lightly golden, glossy top. The heat will meld all those flavors and make the dip irresistibly scoopable; the hardest part now is waiting.
Step 5: Finish and Garnish
After pulling it from the oven, let the dip settle for a few minutes. Drizzle an extra swirl of hot honey for a sticky, dramatic finish, then scatter chopped fresh chives over the top if you’ve got them. They make the color really pop and keep everything fresh-tasting.
How to Serve Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip
Garnishes
Garnishing your dip takes it from “yummy” to “absolutely stunning.” Try a generous sprinkle of fresh chives or thinly sliced green onion. That little touch of green brings out the glossy amber of the honey. For extra decadence, toss a few chili flakes or a crack of black pepper on before serving.
Side Dishes
Crispy crackers and crostini are always a go-to—perfect for sturdy scooping. For a lighter crunch, fresh bell pepper strips, cucumber rounds, or baby carrots are fantastic options. And if you’re feeling indulgent, a basket of warm, sliced baguette or even salty pretzel bites would pair beautifully with the molten cheese and sweet heat of the Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dip sizzling right in the skillet for dramatic effect, or spoon portions into mini ramekins for individual servings. For grazing tables, place the baking dish at the center of a board ringed with colorful crudités, crackers, and toasts; this creates a stunning edible centerpiece. Finish with a honey dipper for an artful drizzle just before guests arrive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to three days, and you’ll find the flavors deepen and mellow after chilling—maybe even better than before!
Freezing
While you can technically freeze this dip, the texture of cream cheese can change after freezing, sometimes becoming a bit grainy. For best results, enjoy this dip fresh or refrigerated, but avoid freezing unless you don’t mind a slight texture difference upon thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, simply place the dip back into an oven-safe dish and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 10-12 minutes. Alternatively, you can use short bursts in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until hot and melty again. Add a fresh drizzle of hot honey and maybe a few more chives to revive that just-baked allure.
FAQs
Can I make my own hot honey at home?
Absolutely! Combine a quarter cup of honey with half a teaspoon of chili flakes in a saucepan and heat gently for a few minutes. Strain if you like it smooth. Homemade hot honey is a breeze and lets you customize the heat level to your taste.
Can I serve Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip cold?
You can, but baking really transforms the texture and melds the flavors. The warm, gooey dip is a true treat, though if you need to make it ahead, it’s still tasty at room temperature or slightly chilled.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese?
Let cream cheese sit out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. In a pinch, unwrap and microwave in 10-second bursts at low power until soft but not melted. Softened cream cheese guarantees a creamy, scoopable dip.
Is there a way to make Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip less spicy?
Of course! You can use less hot honey, swap hot honey with regular honey, or skip the red pepper flakes. The dip will still have a gorgeous sweet flavor with just a subtle hint of warmth.
Can I microwave this dip instead of baking it?
Yes, if you’re really pressed for time, assemble the dip in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals until warm and gooey. It’s not quite as bubbly as the oven-baked version, but it totally works in a hurry.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a recipe that combines crave-worthy flavors and effortless prep, look no further than this Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip. Whether you’re gathering with friends or indulging in a solo snack session, you’re just minutes away from something unforgettable. Give this dip a try, and don’t forget to share the love (and maybe the recipe) once you see how quickly it disappears!
Print
Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the spicy-sweet goodness of this Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip, a creamy and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for any gathering. The combination of creamy cream cheese, spicy hot honey, and a hint of red pepper flakes creates a dip that’s sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Dip:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
Hot Honey Mixture:
- ¼ cup hot honey (plus extra for drizzling)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Additional:
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
- Crackers, crostini, or veggies for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the cream cheese: Place the softened cream cheese in a small oven-safe baking dish or skillet. Spread it evenly.
- Add hot honey: Drizzle ¼ cup of hot honey over the cream cheese. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
- Bake: Bake for 15–18 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cream cheese is warmed through.
- Finish and serve: Remove from the oven, let sit, drizzle with extra hot honey, and garnish with chives. Serve warm with your favorite dippers.
Notes
- To make hot honey, combine ¼ cup honey with ½ tsp chili flakes in a saucepan and heat gently. This dip can also be microwaved in 30-second intervals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
