ListseVegetarian recipes for the home stove

Appetizer

Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip (2 Ingredient) from the Pantry

This Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Dip recipe is so straightforward to throw together and requires only TWO simple ingredients!

  • 6 servings
  • Prep 5 minutes
  • Total 5 minutes
Jump to the recipe
Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip (2 Ingredient) from the Pantry
up close shot of cream cheese and pepper jelly dip on a blue and white speckled plate

Why you’ll love this short appetizer

I tried this pepper jelly dip for the first time this past summer and considering HOW STRAIGHTFORWARD it is, I was truly blown away by it. It has become one of my regular appetizers. The combination of flavors all go together SO WELL and I find myself craving this one a *regular* basis.

We like for this as a simple treat when camping but it’s also reliable for parties (especially bc you can throw it together in 5 minutes or less!). The key is to pair it with a great chip or cracker – we’re huge fans of wheat thins with this dip.

Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • TRULY simple to make – seriously…it only takes a few minutes and A regular here it for that!
  • Can be made ahead or last minute – I’ve made this dip ahead of time and left it in the fridge but I’ve ALSO taken the ingredients to a party and assembled it right before serving. It’s genuinely that straightforward.
  • Everyone will be asking for the “recipe” – despite how simple it is, you’ll still have people asking about the ingredients and how to make it! It’s a true crowd pleaser and great for the holiday season or any special occasion.
ingredients needed for pepper jelly cream cheese dip including whipped cream cheese and kellys pepper jelly jam

Ingredients needed

The ingredients for this simple appetizer recipe are listed fully down in the recipe card but let’s briefly go over the pantry staples needed including a few substitutions you can make as desired!

  • Spreadable Cream Cheese – I like to use whipped cream cheese because it’s only lighter and fluffier and makes for a better dip, in my opinion. That being said, regular cream cheese works perfectly fine. You’ll only want to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften enough for you to spread it on the plate. Alternatively, you can make whipped cream cheese by using a hand mixer.
    Goat cheese or boursin cheese would be savory here as well!
  • Jar of Pepper Jelly – you can find this at your local grocery store. I typically find it in the cheese section where you get specialty cheeses or cheeses by the pound. If all else fails, you can get a jar online. And for some warmth, you can serve this with warmed pepper jelly spread on top of the cream cheese.
cream cheese and pepper jelly dip on a blue and white speckled plate

How for this Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer

Only a reminder that you can find the FULL recipe down in the recipe card, but I want to quickly go over how for this!

It’s TRULY simple.

Start by spreading your whipped cream cheese on the bottom of a serving plate or large plate. Dollop the spicy pepper jelly all over the top of the cream cheese and gently spread it around the top but trying not to blend it into the cream cheese too much.

That’s it! So straightforward! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for a few days.

Recipe Tips

  • Use a different jelly – if you can’t find pepper jelly, or if you only want something different, truly any kind of jam or jelly will work for this dish.
  • Reach for whipped cream cheese over regular – as I mentioned earlier, I simply personally prefer whipped cream cheese as it’s lighter and spreads better. But regular will still work well.
  • Add on green onions or fresh herbs – gives it a little crunch, extra flavor, and brings some brightness to the dip.
  • Make it ahead – this is great made ahead for the simplest appetizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The recipe

Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip (2 Ingredient) from the Pantry

This Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip comes together in mere minutes and with simply TWO simple ingredients – whipped cream cheese and pepper jelly! It's reliable for snacks or as a last minute party appetizer.

  • 6 servings
  • Prep 5 minutes
  • Total 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz whipped cream cheese
  • 3-4 tablespoons pepper jelly

Method

  1. 1

    On a large plate or serving tray, spread the cream cheese into an even layer.

  2. 2

    Dollop the pepper jelly on the top and gently spread it out so that it covers the top of the cream cheese.

  3. 3

    Serve with fresh herbs, green onions/ chives and enjoy with crackers or chips

Cook notes

You can use any jam/ jelly that you prefer!

Per serving

  • Calories160 kcal
  • Carbohydrates9 g
  • Protein2 g
  • Fat13 g
  • Saturated Fat8 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat3 g
  • Cholesterol38 mg
  • Sodium122 mg
  • Potassium58 mg
  • Fiber0.1 g
  • Sugar6 g
  • Vitamin A508 IU
  • Vitamin C1 mg
  • Calcium39 mg
  • Iron0.1 mg