Carli's Easy & Irresistible Sharp Cheddar Bee Cheese Spread
This spread is a total game-changer for easy entertaining, unexpected guests, or honestly, just a Tuesday afternoon snack attack. It comes together in minutes and tastes like you fussed for hours.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Spoon or fork or stand mixer
- Fork or spoon or stand mixer
- Stand Mixer with paddle attachment, or spoon or fork
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated Sharp is key here for that wonderful, bold flavor. Grate it yourself if you can for the best texture, but pre-shredded works in a pinch!
- 6 oz butter, softened Make sure it's truly soft – not melted, but easily squishable.
- 2 tablespoons sherry Just a little bit adds a lovely depth and slight nuttiness. Don't skip it if you can help it!
- 1 tablespoon horseradish Use prepared horseradish (the kind from the jar in the refrigerated section). Adjust to your spice preference.
- 1 garlic clove, minced Fresh is best for that vibrant garlic punch.
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley Optional: This adds a lovely pop of color and fresh flavor, but it's totally okay if you want to leave it out.
Instructions
- First things first, make sure your butter is really nice and soft. Leave it out on the counter for an hour or two, or if you're in a hurry, cut it into smaller pieces to help it along.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter and the grated sharp cheddar cheese. Now, grab a sturdy spoon, a fork, or even your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. You want to beat or mix these together until they are well combined and starting to look like a smooth paste. This is easier if your butter is super soft.
- Once the butter and cheese are happy together, add the sherry, horseradish, and the minced garlic.
- Mix everything together really well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all those delicious flavors are getting incorporated. Keep mixing until the spread is smooth and looks uniform.
- If you're using it, stir in the chopped fresh parsley now. It adds such a pretty touch!
- Give it a little taste. Need more zing? Add another tiny bit of horseradish. Want it richer? (Probably not, but you do you!). Adjust to your liking.
- Scoop the spread into a serving dish, a storage container, or even shape it into a log or ball if you're feeling fancy.
- For the absolute best flavor, cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Bringing it back out to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving will make it perfectly spreadable!
Notes
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
Fast, Easy, Giftable, Crowd-Pleasing. Substitutions & Additions:
No Sherry? Use a splash of Worcestershire sauce or dry mustard powder, or leave it out.
Different Cheese? Experiment with smoked cheddar, white cheddar, or a touch of cream cheese.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Herb Power: Swap parsley for chives, scallions, or thyme.
Crunch: Stir in finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or crispy fried onions. Tips for Success:
Soft Butter is NON-Negotiable: Hard butter means a lumpy spread. Softened butter blends seamlessly.
Let it Mingle: Chilling lets flavors deepen.
Room Temp Serve: Let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving for easy spreading.
Serving Ideas: Perfect with crackers, crusty bread, celery sticks, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, or apple slices! How to Store It:
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container in the refrigerator. It lasts about 10-14 days. It will firm up when cold, so let it sit out briefly before serving. FAQs:
Can I use pre-shredded cheese? Yes.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, it's recommended.
What kind of sherry? A dry or medium sherry works well.
Is it possible to make this too spicy? Yes, if you use too much horseradish. Taste and adjust.
Fast, Easy, Giftable, Crowd-Pleasing. Substitutions & Additions:
No Sherry? Use a splash of Worcestershire sauce or dry mustard powder, or leave it out.
Different Cheese? Experiment with smoked cheddar, white cheddar, or a touch of cream cheese.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Herb Power: Swap parsley for chives, scallions, or thyme.
Crunch: Stir in finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or crispy fried onions. Tips for Success:
Soft Butter is NON-Negotiable: Hard butter means a lumpy spread. Softened butter blends seamlessly.
Let it Mingle: Chilling lets flavors deepen.
Room Temp Serve: Let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving for easy spreading.
Serving Ideas: Perfect with crackers, crusty bread, celery sticks, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, or apple slices! How to Store It:
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container in the refrigerator. It lasts about 10-14 days. It will firm up when cold, so let it sit out briefly before serving. FAQs:
Can I use pre-shredded cheese? Yes.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, it's recommended.
What kind of sherry? A dry or medium sherry works well.
Is it possible to make this too spicy? Yes, if you use too much horseradish. Taste and adjust.