French Quarter Cheese Spread
Updated
Updated
Blended cream cheese is flavored with a few ingredients, then topped with decadent warm sugared pecans in this French Quarter Cheese Spread. Itโs sweet and salty, and just an incredible tasting easy, festive appetizer for holiday gatherings!
Put this appetizer out with some crackers and hot buttered rum and everyone will love you forever.
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Easy and Decadent Cheese Appetizer
Well, I guess anything named after the French Quarter is bound to be naughty, right? And this French Quarter Cheese Spread really is. But you donโt need to draw your blinds to enjoy it! HA.
I was first introduced to this gem by my sister many years ago, at which point I had to force myself to slowly back away from the counter or I wouldnโt have room for dinner. Crazy good. Even my kids, who arenโt big cream cheese fans, begged me to let them โruin their appetite.โ
Made with blended, flavored cream cheese and a warm sugared pecans mixture, it’s just an incredible sweet and salty combo. I now make this countless times during the year, and always for Thanksgiving and Christmas for a festive holiday appetizer. Everyone looks forward to it!
Ingredients Needed
You only need a few ingredients to make this cheese appetizer. The taste will blow your mind, though.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- Onion, grated
- Garlic, minced
- Unsalted Butter
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Spicy brown mustard
- Finely chopped toasted pecans
- Assorted sturdy crackers, for serving
How to Make French Quarter Cheese Spread
This comes together in 20 minutes…and will be eaten in seconds. It’s so good.
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card for details and measurements, and don’t miss the video below.)
- Form the cream cheese. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, onion, and garlic. Transfer to a serving plate; shape into a 6-inch disk. Set aside.
- Make the pecan topping. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in pecans.
- Assemble and serve. Cool slightly. Spoon over cheese. Serve with crackers.
Video: French Quarter Cheese Spread
Serving and Storage
- Serving suggestions. Serve this appetizer spread with assorted crackers, such as water crackers or wheat thins, or your favorite – but something sturdy. French Quarter Cheese Spread is best served while the pecan topping is a little warm, although nobody is going to shy away from it at room temperature. It’s stupid delicious, either way.
- Leftovers. We’ve never had it cold because there’s never anything leftover to store, but if you do happen to have extra, it should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep up to 4 days.
More Holiday Appetizers:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe โ be sure to give it a review below! Also donโt forget to follow Belly Full onย TikTok,ย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย Pinterest, andย YouTube!
French Quarter Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package cream cheese, , softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 1 clove garlic, , finely minced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, , cubed
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
- 3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- assorted sturdy crackers, , for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, onion, and garlic until thoroughly incorporated. Transfer to a serving plate; shape into a 6-inch disk. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour, then bring to near room temperature before you make the pecan mixture.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in pecans.
- Cool slightly for a couple minutes. Spoon over cream cheese mixture, allowing it to fall over the sides.
- Serve immediately with crackers and watch everyone fight over it!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
Trying to make this today and take it to a party tomorrow. I saw your comment to make and keep the cream cheese and the topping separate and assemble after transporting. How would you recommend reheating the topping before serving? Would a microwave be okay? Also, should I add the pecans in tomorrow so they donโt get soggy, or does it not matter? Thanks!
Hi Dee. The microwave is fine – low heat and short intervals until it is a pouring consistency again. The pecans will soften over time, so your call if you want to wait to add them. This dish is best assembled and enjoyed right away.
OMG, Amy!!! I made this today for our Christmas appetizer and it was THE most delicious snack we had, beating out shrimp and jalapeรฑo poppers! Iโm so grateful to the algorithm gods that led your site to me, you and Bellyful.net have never steered me wrong, for any recipe! Merry Christmas!
I make this every year for the holidays. It is my most requested recipe. Hands down, the best appetizer to bring to a party.
Can you use Neufchatel cheese instead of full fat cream cheese?
Yes, that’s fine. Keep in mind that Neufchatel is slightly tangier and has a grainier texture due to less fat content.
Hi Amy! Iโm making this for Thanksgiving! It looks so good! Do you think I can use walnuts instead of pecans? Thank you! I love your videos!
Yes, walnuts are totally fine. Enjoy!
What are the best crackers to have with this dip? I want to make it for Thanksgiving.
I usually serve it with water crackers
Thank you!
Holy smokes! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I found your video on tiktok and KNEW that I had to make it!
I just made it to take to a ladies happy hour this evening and it’s taking ALL of my will power not to eat it by myself. YUMMY ๐
Rave reviews ! The comments don’t lie here folks!
Oh Wow! This is deeee-licious…
Absolutely one of my favorites. So easy too!
I have some fabulous cream cheese ball recipes that I have made for 50 + years!! This one out did them all. So refreshing to find something new that is a winner. Made it for the Buffalo Bill’s game tomorrow, the playoffs, against Kansas City. GO BILL”S
My family and Iloved this receipe to hte moon and back!. Thank you.
OMG so good!!!
Absolutely delicious! Iโve adapted it to leave out the nuts and mixed the topping sauce through. My entire family loves it. It goes so well on fresh veggies as a dip or on crackers and toast. 10/10 would recommend.
Hey Amy! I live in an area where I canโt seem to get spicy brown mustard anywhere. I want to make this receipe for NYE. Do you know what could be used as a substitute???
Hi Jill! Dijon mustard can be used instead. It’s such a small amount that really most any mustard can be used except yellow.
Thank you, Amy!! One last question – is there a specific type of onion you would suggest or does type matter?
A sweet Vidalia onion would be ideal, but a yellow onion is fine too.
Absolutely incredible ! We have died and gone to heaven
DELICIOUS! Everone loved it and I will be making this again!
Easy and a hit with the crowd. Will definitely make again.
Another stellar recipe from BellyFull
Loved it! So glad I tried it. I find that 1/2 tsp of mustard to be barely enough (admitted mustard lover) so I used a tablespoon of mustard and it was fantastic