Description
Indulge in this creamy and spicy Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip, a perfect appetizer for gatherings. This dip combines softened cream cheese, tangy sour cream, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses with a sweet and spicy kick from hot honey and crushed red pepper flakes. Finished with fresh green onions and baked until bubbly and golden, it pairs beautifully with fresh veggies, crackers, or crusty bread for a delicious sweet and savory treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
For Serving
- Fresh veggies (such as carrot sticks, celery, bell peppers)
- Crackers
- Bread slices (crusty bread recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese base: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Using a hand mixer or spatula, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Add sour cream: Mix in the sour cream until fully combined with the cream cheese, creating a tangy and smooth base.
- Incorporate cheeses: Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses to the mixture, stirring until evenly incorporated for a rich, cheesy texture.
- Add hot honey: Pour in the hot honey and mix thoroughly. If using homemade hot honey, infuse honey with red pepper flakes for several hours for a spicy sweetness.
- Season the dip: Stir in the chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spoon the dip mixture into a 9-inch pie dish or small casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Add extra cheese topping: Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar and mozzarella over the top of the dip for a golden, bubbly finish.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the dip is bubbly and has a golden crust on top.
- Cool slightly: Remove the dip carefully from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes to thicken slightly before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions on top. Serve warm alongside fresh veggies, crackers, or slices of crusty bread. For an extra kick, drizzle more hot honey over the dip just before serving.
Notes
- This dip is ideal for parties, game days, or cozy nights in.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey and crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat.
- For homemade hot honey, infuse honey with red pepper flakes for at least a few hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Use a hand mixer for a smoother dip base or a spatula for a chunkier texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
