Randy Chandler
Philadelphia cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a more elaborate meal, there are numerous recipes to try out. For those who enjoy baking, cream cheese is a great ingredient for cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, and frostings. If you're looking for something savoury, you can use cream cheese in dips, spreads, or as a filling for pasta, chicken, or beef dishes. With its creamy texture and mild flavour, Philadelphia cream cheese is a versatile base for many recipes and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Desserts | Cheesecake, lemon bars, brownies, cookies, banana cake, red velvet cookies |
| Appetizers | Crispy and creamy wontons, dips (veggies, spinach artichoke, oregano, basil, garlic and feta), roll-ups (tortillas, veggies, spinach, cherry tomatoes, herbs) |
| Main dishes | Pasta shells with spinach and spices, mashed potatoes, beef, tomato and spinach pie, blintzes, gelatin salad, pumpkin cream cheese bread |
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What You'll Learn
Cheesecakes
Philadelphia Cheesecake is a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert with a rich and creamy flavour. It is a timeless dessert that can be served plain or dressed up with toppings. The basic vanilla cheesecake is a perfect base for whatever toppings you want to add.
The secret to any good cheesecake is to have a sturdy and delicious biscuit base. You can use shortbread, graham crumbs, or even Oreo cookies for the base. For the filling, beat the Philadelphia cream cheese with caster sugar and vanilla extract until the sugar has dissolved. Then, stir in double cream and sieve in icing sugar. Combine the cream cheese and double cream without overmixing.
For a no-bake cheesecake, simply spoon the filling into the cake tin and leave it to set in the fridge for at least an hour. If you prefer a baked cheesecake, pour the filling into the crust and bake at 325-350°F for 40-55 minutes, or until the centre is almost set.
You can decorate your cheesecake with swirls of double cream, fresh fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, or drizzle with chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauce. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combination!
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Savoury dips
Philadelphia cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury dips. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Classic Spinach Artichoke Dip
Blend Philadelphia cream cheese with spinach and artichoke hearts to create a comforting and satisfying dip. Serve it with your favourite chips or veggies for a perfect appetizer.
Creamy Herb Dip
Mix Philadelphia cream cheese with oregano, basil, garlic, and feta cheese to make a savoury and creamy herb dip. This dip is excellent with crunchy breadsticks or spread on a toasted bagel.
Cheesy Beef Dip
For a heartier option, combine Philadelphia cream cheese with ground beef, tomato, and spinach. This dip can be served warm or cold and is perfect for a filling snack or appetizer.
Garden Vegetable Dip
Philadelphia cream cheese can be blended with garden vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and basil to create a fresh and flavourful dip. Serve it with crackers or raw veggies for a healthy snack.
Cream Cheese and Chicken Dip
Mix Philadelphia cream cheese with chicken, Greek yogurt, cilantro, garlic, onion, and chilli peppers to create a spicy and savoury dip. Serve it with tortilla chips or use it as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.
With its creamy texture and savoury flavour, Philadelphia cream cheese is an excellent base for creating delicious and versatile dips. These recipes are just a starting point, and you can experiment with adding your favourite ingredients to create your unique dip combinations.
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Frostings
Philadelphia Cream Cheese can be used to make a rich and smooth frosting for cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods. The frosting is made with fresh milk and cream, without any artificial flavours or dyes. A tub of this frosting is enough to cover 14 cupcakes or a two-layer cake.
You can also make your own homemade Philadelphia Cream Cheese frosting. This frosting is creamy, tangy, and delicious and can be used on cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
For a zesty twist, add lemon juice and lemon zest to the frosting. This would be perfect for a lemon cake or cupcakes.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
For chocolate lovers, add cocoa powder and a little extra sugar to the frosting. This would be delicious on a chocolate cake or brownies.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
For a fruity option, blend some fresh or frozen strawberries into the frosting. This would be a great choice for a summer cake or cupcakes.
Cookies and Cream Frosting
Mix in crushed cookies, such as Oreos, for a unique and tasty frosting. This would be a fun option for cupcakes or a birthday cake.
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Pasta dishes
Cream Cheese Pasta
A quick and easy recipe, this creamy pasta dish can be made in the time it takes to cook the pasta. It is a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your taste. You can add any vegetables or meat you have in the fridge. Here is a simple recipe:
- Boil pasta in a large pan of salted water.
- Heat oil in a separate pan and fry bacon, onion, garlic, and courgettes until softened and starting to brown.
- 3-4 minutes before the pasta is cooked, add peas to the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the vegetables.
- Stir in cream cheese, salt and pepper, parmesan, and a couple of ladles of pasta water.
- Stir until smooth.
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
This is a one-skillet meal with peppers, mushrooms, and onions. The addition of a can of French onion soup and cream cheese creates a creamy gravy. Here is a simple recipe:
- Add butter, onions, peppers, and mushrooms to a deep-sided skillet and cook on medium heat until soft and golden brown.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, onion, and garlic powder.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up into a fine crumble.
- Add the can of soup and bring to a simmer.
- Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add to the skillet, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Add dried parsley and shredded cheese.
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Cookies
Cream cheese cookies are easy to make and require only a few staple ingredients. The cream cheese adds a tangy, rich flavour and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese (full-fat block, not whipped)
- Butter (or margarine)
- Sugar (granulated, or brown for a molasses flavour)
- Flour
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract (or lemon juice/flavouring)
- Salt
- Baking powder
Optional:
- Citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange)
- Nutmeg
- Almond extract
- Cinnamon
- Powdered sugar, melted white chocolate, or sprinkles for decoration
Method
- Beat the butter and cream cheese together with a mixer until thoroughly combined.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the flour and other dry ingredients until well blended.
- Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie as they will spread a little. Alternatively, use a cookie press or cookie stamps to create designs.
- Bake in a preheated oven at around 350-375°F for about 10-15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
- Allow to cool, then decorate with powdered sugar, melted chocolate, or sprinkles.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or frozen for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some simple recipes that use Philadelphia cream cheese:
- Veggie roll-ups
- Cream cheese wontons
- Spinach artichoke dip
- Banana cake with cream cheese frosting
- Lemon bars
Philadelphia cheese can be used in a variety of main course recipes, including:
- Cheesy ground beef, tomato, and spinach pie
- Pasta shells filled with cream cheese, spinach, and spices, baked in marinara sauce
- Spaghetti with Italian sausage, hamburger, mushrooms, and cream cheese
Philadelphia cheese can be used to make a variety of desserts, such as:
- Cheesecake
- Lemon bars
- Brownies
- Oreo truffles
- Cookies
