Cinnamon Cream Cheese
Transform your everyday snacks with this Cinnamon Cream Cheese, a 6-ingredient spread. It’s a simple yet irresistible blend of cream cheese, honey, and spices that adds a delicious twist to bagels, toast, and more, making it a must-have in your kitchen.
Elevate your breakfast or snack time with a delicious Cinnamon Cream Cheese. This creamy, flavorful spread combines the holiday flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and orange with the sweetness of honey, and the tanginess of cranberries for a perfectly balanced treat.
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Whether you’re topping your morning breakfast bagel or adding a sweet twist to your favorite crackers, this spread is sure to become a household favorite. It takes less than 10 minutes to whip up with basic ingredients. You’ll love it so much that you’ll want to spread it on everything!
Yummy dips and spreads are synonymous with the holiday season, so be sure to check out my Jalapeno Cranberry Salsa, Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip, and Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip when planning your special occasions! Get ready for everyone to ask for these recipes!
Taste more of the cozy flavors of fall with this incredible Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This spread comes together in just minutes, making it a convenient option for busy mornings or last-minute gatherings.
- Versatile: Use it as a topping for everything from bagels and toast to crackers and pancakes, or even as a filling for crepes and pastries. It’s also served with apple slices!
- Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness or spice level to suit your taste, or add extra ingredients for a personalized touch.
- Flavorful: The combination of cinnamon, honey, and cranberries provides a delicious balance of warm spices and natural sweetness making it perfect for holiday brunches, parties, or gifts.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Cream Cheese: The base of the spread, it provides a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness and spices.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a hint of floral flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile, adding depth and complexity to the spread.
- Dried Cranberries: Provide a pop of color and tartness, contrasting with the creamy texture and adding a refreshing burst of flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice or Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, giving the spread its signature cozy flavor. Pumpkin pie spice offers a blend of spices, while cinnamon provides a more straightforward spice note.
- Orange Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the cranberries and balances the richness of the cream cheese.
- Optional Vehicles to Spread it On: The spread can be enjoyed on English muffins, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, graham crackers, or cinnamon sugar crackers, providing a delicious contrast of textures and flavors.
TOOLS YOU’LL NEED
How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese
- In a small bowl, whip together cream cheese, honey, vanilla, cranberries, pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, and orange zest with a hand mixer or fork until well combined.
- Taste and add more ingredients as desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place extra dried cranberries on top, if desired.
- Serve with English muffins, bagels, toast, graham crackers or cinnamon sugar crackers.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of honey to your preference. For a less sweet spread, reduce the honey, or add a touch more for extra sweetness. Maple syrup can also be used in place of honey.
- Spice Options: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a similar flavor profile.
- Fruit Additions: Substitute dried cranberries with raisins, chopped dried apricots, or currants for a different twist.
- Cream Cheese Variations: Use whipped cream cheese for a lighter, fluffier texture, or try a flavored cream cheese for additional depth. Philadelphia brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese is an excellent base for this spread!
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative to make this spread suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
Breads like these Banana and Pumpkin Muffins would be delicious with this spread! Perfect for entertaining!
Storage and Freezing
Store the spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir well before using, as it may firm up slightly when chilled. For longer storage, freeze the spread in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using and give it a good stir to restore its creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use fresh cranberries, but you may want to cook them down with a bit of sugar and water to soften and sweeten them before adding them to the spread.
This spread pairs well with a variety of breads and crackers, such as bagels, toast, English muffins, graham crackers, and cinnamon sugar crackers. It can also be used as a filling for crepes, dipper for apple slices, or a topping for pancakes and waffles.
Absolutely! This spread can be made a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it, making it perfect for holiday breakfasts and brunches.
To lighten the spread, use reduced-fat cream cheese or whipped cream cheese, which will have a lighter texture and lower calorie content.
Yes, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch and additional flavor. Fold them in after mixing the other ingredients or sprinkle them on top.
More Favorite Fall Recipes
- Spiced No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Spice Loaf
- Apple Butter Pull-Apart Loaf
- The Great Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Cinnamon Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces regular or 1/3-less fat cream cheese room temperature
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Optional: English muffins, bagels, toast, graham crackers or cinnamon sugar crackers
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whip together cream cheese, honey, vanilla, cranberries, pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon, and orange zest with a hand mixer or fork until well combined.
- Taste and add more ingredients as desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place extra dried cranberries on top, if desired.
- Serve with English muffins, bagels, toast, graham crackers or cinnamon sugar crackers.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of honey to your preference. For a less sweet spread, reduce the honey, or add a touch more for extra sweetness. Maple syrup can also be used in place of honey.
- Spice Options: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a similar flavor profile.
- Fruit Additions: Substitute dried cranberries with raisins, chopped dried apricots, or currants for a different twist.
- Cream Cheese Variations: Use whipped cream cheese for a lighter, fluffier texture, or try a flavored cream cheese for additional depth. Philadelphia brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese is an excellent base for this spread!
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative to make this spread suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
Storage and Freezing
Store the spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir well before using, as it may firm up slightly when chilled. For longer storage, freeze the spread in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using and give it a good stir to restore its creamy consistency.
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
