Name: Cowboy Cream Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon dried chives; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Introduction

Cowboy Cream Cheese is a flavorful and creamy spread perfect for snacks or appetizers. With a blend of herbs, spices, and a tangy kick, it adds a delicious twist to crackers, veggies, or sandwiches.

A close-up view of a single dish filled with creamy, whipped spread that has a white base with light orange and green specks mixed throughout. The spread is roughly swirled in a black round bowl, with visible small black pepper flakes and small green herb sprigs on top, adding texture and color detail. Around the bowl, there are scattered fresh green herbs and some coarse salt grains on a white marbled surface. In the top corner, a wooden bowl filled with black peppercorns adds a warm tone to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Dijon mustard, dried chives, dried parsley, dried thyme, garlic powder, lemon juice, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. For quicker blending, you can use a food processor.
Step 3: Transfer the cowboy cream cheese to an airtight container.
Step 4: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a brighter flavor, but reduce quantities slightly to avoid overpowering the cream cheese.
Add finely chopped jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
Serve with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or vegetable sticks for easy snacking.

Storage

Store the cowboy cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to one week. Before serving again, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and stir gently to restore creamy texture.

How to Serve

A close-up of a black bowl filled with a creamy, light orange spread mixed with visible green herbs and small red spices throughout. The spread is textured with soft peaks and swirls, showing a whipped consistency. A knife with a rustic, slightly stained blade lifts a dollop of the spread out of the bowl. In the background, slices of bread with the same spread applied in a rustic way are visible, slightly out of focus. The surface beneath is a warm brown wood with some spilled crumbs and salt grains scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cream cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare cowboy cream cheese up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness and flavor.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild to moderate spice level due to the cayenne pepper and paprika, but you can adjust these spices to your preference by reducing or increasing the amounts.