Home Recipes Ingredients Cheese Cream Cheese
Dana MeredithUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022
From luscious cheesecakes to spicy pepper poppers, our best cream cheese recipes are the tastiest way to indulge in your favorite guilty pleasure.
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Chocolate Bavarian Torte
Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
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2/40
Lemon-Garlic Cream Fettuccine
I've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
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3/40
Jalapeno Poppers
These creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York
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4/40
Cherry Almond Mousse Pie
Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It's a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
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5/40
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake
If you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It's so impressive yet not difficult to prepare-I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
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6/40
Creamy Grape Salad
Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy grape salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan
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7/40
Luscious Almond Cheesecake
I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas
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8/40
Baked Simple Meatball Stroganoff
If you like meatball subs, you'll love this tangy casserole that has all the rich flavor of the popular sandwiches with none of the mess. Italian bread is spread with a cream cheese mixture, then topped with meatballs, spaghetti sauce and cheese. Bravo! —Gina Harris, Seneca, South Carolina
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Appetizer Tortilla Pinwheels
A friend gave me this recipe, and whenever I serve these tortilla pinwheel sandwiches, people ask me for the recipe, too! The cream cheese pinwheels can be made ahead of time and sliced just before serving, leaving you time for other last-minute party preparations. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
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10/40
Quicker Blueberry French Toast
Sit down to hot-off-the-griddle stuffed French toast and fresh blueberry sauce in as little as 30 minutes. The bread's toasted to a golden brown, and the delectable filling features cream cheese brightened with blueberry preserves. The fast sauce is out of this world! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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11/40
Peanut Butter Cream Pie
During the warm months, it's nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that's a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
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12/40
Strawberries and Champagne Cheesecake
I bake from scratch because I believe that love—and sweetened condensed milk—are the best ingredients. —Kathryn Work, Louisville, Kentucky
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13/40
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
This chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan
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14/40
My workplace had an appetizer contest, and I won it with my jalapeno and cheese dip. Every time I take it anywhere, folks empty the slow cooker. —Bev Slabik, Dilworth, Minnesota
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15/40
Pumpkin Mousse Trifle
You can speed up this recipe by using a store-bought pound cake or baking and freezing one ahead of time. The sugared pecans can also be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container.—Becky McClaflin, Blanchard, Oklahoma
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16/40
Creamy Italian Chicken
Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida
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17/40
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they're really fast to whip up, too. Here's how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois
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Cheesecake with Berry Sauce
This creamy cheesecake is a family tradition; I've even shipped it to my daughter as a special treat. Using frozen seasonal berries, it's an excellent dessert any time of year. —Jeanette Volker, Walton, Nebraska
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Blueberry Gelatin Salad
I find myself making this blueberry jello salad often. People request this layered treat for potlucks all the time. This dish can be served as either a salad or a dessert. And preparing it a day ahead makes it taste even better! —Mildred Livingston, Phoenix, Arizona
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20/40
Nutty Cheesecake Squares
I grew up on a farm and have had a lot of good recipes handed down to me. This is one of my favorite desserts to serve when guests come over or at family gatherings and church suppers. —Ruth Simon, Buffalo, New York
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21/40
Championship Bean Dip
My friends and neighbors expect me to bring this irresistible dip to every gathering. When I arrive, they ask, "You brought your bean dip, didn't you?" If there are any leftovers, we use them to make bean and cheese burritos the next day. —Wendi Wavrin Law, Omaha, Nebraska
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22/40
Pumpkin Swirl Bread
This combination of pumpkin, nuts and dates makes a delicious, golden pumpkin cream cheese bread. The surprise inside—a rich creamy swirl—is like a luscious layer of cheesecake in each slice. —Cindy May, Troy, Michigan
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23/40
Baked Spinach Dip Loaf
Any round loaf works as a serving bowl for this cream-cheesy dip, with spinach, cheddar, water chestnuts and, yes, bacon. Scoop the dip with the extra bread and veggies—then eat the bowl! —Frieda Meding, Trochu, Alberta
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Potato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana
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Cherry Tomato Bites
Cherry tomatoes may be small, but these are full of amazing flavor. Plus, they add color to any table. —Rev. David Bostedt, Zephyrhills, Florida
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Slow-Cooked Blueberry French Toast
Your slow cooker can be your best friend on a busy morning. Just get this recipe going, run some errands and come back to the smell of French toast ready to eat. —Elizabeth Lorenz, Peru, Indiana
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Sesame Chicken Dip
I can't tell you how many times I'm asked to bring this easy dip to holidays, birthday parties or girls' weekend getaways. It's fresh and light, and it has the Asian flavors that make it stand out. The rice crackers are a must! —Dawn Schutte, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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Coconut Italian Cream Cake
I’d never tasted an Italian cream cake before moving to Colorado. Now I bake for people in the area, and this beauty is one of the most requested. —Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
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Veggie-Packed Strata
This is a wonderful, colorful casserole that everyone enjoys. I'm sure you'll be hooked on it after one bite, too. —Jennifer Unsell, Vance, Alabama
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Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake
I'm a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. I received this recipe from my niece. It's very chocolaty. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, Ontario
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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
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Black Forest Cheesecake
I have taken this popular cheesecake to every gathering since I created the recipe about 15 years ago. My family asks for the dessert all the time, and I'm happy to make it. —Christine Ooyen, Winnebago, Illinois
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34/40
Fruit Tart
It's well worth the effort to whip up this creamy fruit tart bursting with juicy berries. A friend gave me the recipe, and it always receives rave reviews at gatherings. —Susan Terzakis, Andover, Massachusetts
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Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms
I first tried these bubbly treats at my sister-in-law's house. The tender mushroom caps and creamy filling were so fabulous that I had to get the recipe. It's hard to believe how simple, fast and easy they are. —Angela Coffman, Kansas City, Missouri
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Chocolate Peanut Pie
I entered this pie in our county fair, and it was selected grand champion. Who can resist a tempting chocolate crumb crust and a creamy filling with big peanut butter taste? Be prepared to take an empty pan home when you serve this pie at your next potluck. —Doris Doherty, Albany, Oregon
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37/40
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I make these banana bars with cream cheese frosting whenever I have ripe bananas on hand, then store them in the freezer to share later. With creamy frosting and big banana flavor, this treat is a real crowd-pleaser. —Debbie Knight, Marion, Iowa
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38/40
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
This slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of Buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken eases preparation. —Allyson DiLascio, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
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Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is never enough—it's better than all the other carrot cakes I've tried! —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
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Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
Your guests are in for a sweet surprise when they try this chocolate chip cheese ball—it tastes just like cookie dough! Rolled in chopped pecans, this chip-studded spread is wonderful on regular or chocolate graham crackers. I especially like it because it can be assembled in a wink. —Kelly Glasco*ck, Syracuse, Missouri
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Originally Published: November 16, 2017
Dana Meredith
Dana is an editor and writer who shares her passion for travel, food and the beauty of American landscapes. When she's not wielding her red pen, she can be found tending her flower gardens, remodeling her house, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry or dancing to "Uptown Funk."