French Quarter Cheese Spread

This French Quarter cheese spread will turn your appetizer table into a Bourbon Street bash, minus the beads. It’s creamy, sweet, salty, nutty and just a little outrageous—exactly like New Orleans. The surprising combo of tangy cream cheese and the praline-like pecan topping feels like something you’d eat under a wrought-iron balcony while a brass band plays nearby. It’s wildly delicious, a snack worthy of the butteriest crackers for dipping. Serve this spread with other Mardi Gras recipes and festive drinks, or as a holiday appetizer with family and friends. But you’ve been given fair warning: No one stops at just one bite, and everyone will want the recipe.

Ingredients for French Quarter Cheese Spread

• Cream cheese: This brings tangy creaminess to the party. Softened cream cheese will mix more easily with the other ingredients; let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Grated onion: Onion adds a subtle bite and complexity that keeps things interesting. Grate fresh onion on the small holes of a box grater or with a Microplane.
• Garlic: One minced clove brings just enough savory punch to balance the sweetness that comes later. If your garlic cloves are supersized, you might only want half the amount called for.
• Butter: As with pecan pralines, butter is essential to this sweet pecan topping. Cubed butter melts evenly and quickly.
• Dark brown sugar: Dark brown sugar has more molasses flavor than light brown sugar, which adds depth to the pecan topping.
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is an umami powerhouse that adds savoriness to the sweet side of this dip.
• Prepared mustard: Mustard adds tang and acid to the topping. Yellow is fine, but Dijon mustard is divine.
• Pecans: These Southern beauties add crunch and nutty flavor that tastes like Louisiana hospitality. Toast nuts for maximum flavor impact.
• Assorted crackers: Crackers are the delivery system for getting this deliciousness into your mouth. Choose sturdy ones that won’t crumble under pressure. Ritz crackers are an excellent pairing for their butteriness.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cream cheese base

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, onion and garlic. Transfer the mixture to a serving plate and shape it into a 6-inch disk. Set the plate aside.

Editor’s Tip: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened and not just cool to the touch. If you forgot to take it out beforehand, unwrap the block and microwave it in 15-second intervals until it’s spreadable.

Step 2: Create the pecan topping

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat for four to five minutes or until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the pecans.

Editor’s Tip: Keep stirring that mixture the entire time it’s on the stovetop. Brown sugar can go from dissolved to burnt faster than you can say “beignet.” The mixture should be glossy and smooth when the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 3: Assemble and serve

Cool the mixture slightly. Spoon the pecan mixture over the cheese. Serve the cheese spread with crackers.

Editor’s Tip: Let the pecan mixture cool for about five minutes before spooning it over the cheese. You want it warm enough to spread easily, but not so hot that it melts your cream cheese base.

French Quarter Cheese Spread Variations

• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce to the pecan mixture for a little Cajun heat.
• Make it boozy: Bourbon-pecan anything is a staple around New Orleans. After you take the brown sugar mixture off the stovetop, add 1 tablespoon or so of bourbon.
• Switch the nuts: Try toasted walnuts or almonds instead of pecans for a different flavor profile that’s just as delicious.
• Go savory: Skip the brown sugar and add crumbled bacon and chives to the pecan mixture for a wholly different but equally addictive version.
• Make it fancy: Add a layer of pepper jelly between the cream cheese and pecan topping for an extra sweet-and-spicy surprise.

How to Store French Quarter Cheese Spread

French Quarter cheese spread can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days, though it’s best enjoyed within the first day or two when the pecans are still at their crunchiest. The pecans may lose some of their crunch after the first day, but the spread remains delicious.

Can you make French Quarter cheese spread ahead of time?

French Quarter cheese spread is a perfect appetizer to make ahead of time. You can make the cream cheese base up to two days in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Make the pecan topping separately and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Just before serving, bring the cheese base to room temperature and spoon the pecan mixture over the top for the best texture and flavor.

French Quarter Cheese Spread Tips

How should you serve French Quarter cheese spread?

Serve this French Quarter dip with sturdy carbs like buttery crackers or a sliced baguette that can handle the creamy-crunchy topping without breaking. No one will fault you for having a Sazerac or other Mardi Gras drinks to sip alongside it. Fresh crudites like bell pepper strips, celery sticks and apple slices also make great dippers and add crunchy contrast. Pair the spread with other Southern-inspired bites like deviled eggs, pimiento cheese or a charcuterie board packed with local favorites.