Smoked Cream Cheese with Fig Spread
The following recipe and photography is courtesy of Graham R. and his dog, Carl. For more of their delicious food ventures, visit them on Instagram @cookingwithcarrrl.
Fall is upon us, but don’t put away that grill just yet, “leaf” it alone! Today, we are smoking cream cheese. I have to admit, when I first saw this recipe all over social media I was extremely skeptical. It seemed lazy, and honestly, it is, but good golly is it delicious! All you do is season a block of cream cheese and toss it on your smoker, talk about “set-it-and-forget-it.
I jazzed up this cheesy creation with Heinen’s new fig spread. Pardon my French, but its figgin’ awesome. The sweetness mixed with the savory cream cheese is an ideal combination of flavors.
This fig spread is one of the many new offerings under the Heinen’s brands. Their experts work hand-in-hand with skilled producers to ensure you and your family receive the high quality you expect when purchasing a product with the Heinen’s label.
This dish is a great compliment to any charcuterie board. Time to cut the cheese!
Smoked Cream Cheese with Fig Spread
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. block cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp. Two Brothers sweet & smokey seasoning
- 1 jar Heinen’s fig spread
- Crackers and sliced vegetables, for serving
Instructions
- First things first, preheat the grill* or smoker between 250 and 275˚F. Add the wood chucks or chips if desired. I picked a chunk of peach wood. The fruitiness adds a unique, sweet and smoky flavor.
- Remove the cream cheese from the package and gently score the top. Scoring will allow more of the rub to penetrate the cheese. It also results in an eye-catching presentation.
- Season all sides with the sweet and smokey rub and place the cheese in a cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan. Transfer the skillet to the smoker for one hour.
- After one hour, add the fig spread by pouring it all over, or just around the cream cheese. I think pouring the spread around the smoked cream cheese creates a better look. Leave on the smoker for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, carefully remove the skillet from the smoker and serve immediately with crackers and veggies. Enjoy!
*To smoke with a grill, make a foil pouch with water-soaked wood chips and set it directly above the lit burner.
