This beautiful, vegetarian Cream Cheese Garlic-Dill Schmear is quick and easy to prepare and perfect little appetizer for your Christmas brunch or dinner buffet. Best of all, this delicious spread is always well received on any other occasion too.
Whether on a cozy winter evening with toasted bread or sunny summer day with veggies and crackers - this cream cheese with garlic and fresh dill is definitely one of our favorites.
NOTE: This post was originally published in 2013 and has been updated for photos and content.
Why this recipe works:
Why I always used to buy ready-made herb cream cheese, I cannot understand with the best will. Homemade garlic-dill schmear tastes worlds better, is made quickly, and can be refined to your taste.
Add your favorite herbs, garlic, shallots, chili, lemon, saffron, or whatever suits you. Turn it into a heavenly spread and enjoy with vegetables, crackers, or delicious baguette.
For the Christmas table, I like to 'gift-wrap' it. Doesn't it look festive? You can turn any basic meal into a 5-star restaurant-style dish with just a few extra touches. Fresh herbs are great for garnishing and adding freshness to any dish.
When I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I would only eat pretty styled foods like this garlic-dill cream cheese smear. No, I wasn't a spoiled brat; I was anorexic with a side of SED. My tummy was never hungry, and most foods triggered the pharyngeal reflex.
Naturally, my mom tried her best to present me with food that is pleasing to the eye in hopes I'd eat it.
Unbeknown to my mom, the study shows that "the concentration of ghrelin in the blood increases specifically in response to visual stimulation with food images. Our brain thus processes these visual stimuli, and the physical processes that control our perception of appetite are triggered involuntarily."
However, my dad had less patience for food styling or my lack of appetite. He would occasionally get so frustrated with me, he'd order me away from the table.
Nowadays I eat everything in sight, pretty or not. 🤷♀️ I still like my food to look appetizing, though, but I only go the extra mile on holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Fresh dill
- Garlic salt
- Red bell pepper
- Scallions (green onions)
Step by step directions:
- Mix the dill and garlic salt into the cheese. Pack the mixture back into the cream cheese box lined with plastic wrap. Refrigerate, then unwrap it and flatten the wrinkles out with a knife.
- Decorate with a green onion bow and red pepper dots before serving alongside crackers.
Recipe notes:
- Take the spread out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.
- How to decorate the cream cheese schmear into a 'gift':
- First, cut a 'gift tag' out of the red pepper and use the rest to cut into small squares (dots), approx. ¼-1/2 inch in size. Gently press the pepper 'dots' into the cheese.
- Second, slice the stems (green parts) of the scallion in half lengthwise. Wrap with scallion stems to resemble the ribbon. Press stems into sides of cheese square, beginning with the end of one stem on each side. You can tuck the ends in, or cut the excess.
- Finely, form loops with remaining stems and add the 'gift tag'.
Related Recipes:
- Puerto Rican Sweet And Savory Dip
- Cheese Ball With Pecans And M&Ms
- Baked Brie With Nuts And Cranberries
Easy Garlic-Dill Schmear
Ingredients
Cheese spread
- 8 oz softened cream cheese, (save the box!)
- ½ teaspoon dill
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
Garnish
- 1 small red bell pepper
- 1 scallion, (green onion)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix ½ teaspoon dill and ¼ teaspoon garlic salt with 8 oz. cream cheese (you can use a fork, wooden spoon, or a hand mixer). Pack the mixture back into the cheese box lined with plastic wrap. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Unwrap the cheese and flatten the wrinkles out with a knife.
- Garnish, if desired, to resemble a Christmas gift (see Recipe Notes). Serve the gift cream cheese spread with crackers.
Notes
- Take the spread out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.
- How to decorate the cream cheese schmear into a 'gift':
- First, cut a 'gift tag' out of the red pepper and use the rest to cut into small squares (dots), approx. ¼-1/2 inch in size. Gently press the pepper 'dots' into the cheese.
- Second, slice the stems (green parts) of the scallion in half lengthwise. Wrap with scallion stems to resemble the ribbon. Press stems into sides of cheese square, beginning with the end of one stem on each side. You can tuck the ends in, or cut the excess.
- Finely, form loops with remaining stems and add the 'gift tag'.
Beachgal says
This is Genious! I have already sent this recipe to my sister and a friend! Cant wait to try it! I just hope I can make it as pretty as yours. Thank you!
Jas says
Thank you! It's not hard, just be patient. 🙂
Justine says
Love these flavors together. The presentation is so cute! I never would have thought to put together something like this, but it's going to make such a beautiful addition to my appetizer table at Christmas.
Jas says
Thank you so much, Justine! Enjoy!
Jessica says
I make this every year, and it’s a total hit! It’s a showstopper and I will continue to make it!
Jas says
I do too! When it's easy and pleases the crowd, stick with it. 😀
Beth says
This has to be the best recipe I've ever seen! Love love love the presentation! Great job!
Jas says
Awe, many thanks, Beth! Hugs
Sapana says
What a beautiful and tasty gift idea!! Thank you!
Jas says
You're welcome, Sapana! Thanks for stopping in. x
Calleigh F says
This cream cheese looks so pretty. I love that it is quick and easy to prepare, a perfect little appetizer for Christmas brunch or dinner buffet.
Jas says
Thanks for your lovely feedback, Calleigh! xx
Priya Shiva says
wow! It looks so fabulous and so easy to make too! I just love the way you have presented it.
Jas says
Thank you, Priya! It is so simple to make. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
This appetizer dip is so festive and super cute! Sharing to all of our favorite boards!
Jas says
Awe, thank you, Bobbi! What a difference a bit of garnish makes, ha. Hugs