Garlic Cream Cheese Spread (Printable version)

Smooth cream cheese whipped with caramelized garlic for a flavorful, creamy spread option.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/4 cup sour cream

→ Garlic

03 - 1 large head garlic

→ Seasonings & Add-ins

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For Roasting Garlic

07 - 1 teaspoon olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil.
02 - Place wrapped garlic in oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until cloves are soft and caramelized. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
03 - Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a mixing bowl. Mash with a fork until completely smooth.
04 - Add softened cream cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper to the bowl with roasted garlic. Whip with a hand mixer or vigorously by hand until smooth, light, and fluffy.
05 - Fold in fresh chives if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
06 - Transfer to a serving bowl and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted garlic is sweet and creamy, not harsh or overwhelming like raw garlic can be.
  • It takes just 10 minutes of actual hands-on time, with the oven doing the heavy lifting while you relax.
  • One batch makes enough to share, and it keeps in the fridge for up to a week, always ready when unexpected guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after roasting—rushing to squeeze hot garlic burns your fingers and releases bitter compounds, so patience really does pay off here.
  • The spread thickens slightly as it chills, which is exactly when it becomes spreadable perfection; serving it straight from the oven means it's still a bit loose.
03 -
  • Make this spread ahead—it actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have mingled and deepened, making it perfect for meal prep.
  • If your cream cheese is still cold and firm, warming it for 10 seconds at a time in the microwave (not all at once, or you'll end up with melted edges) speeds up the softening process considerably.
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