If you’re looking for a new appetizer dip, this one needs to be added to your collection. This cream cheese dip is topped with a sweet and savory strawberry sauce that’s smooth and creamy. And it pairs amazingly well with any type of cracker. Deliciously light and refreshingly cool, this appetizer recipe is a huge crowd pleaser. Typically I serve this easy to make marinated cheese recipe or these grab-and-go chicken mayo baguettes and they are always a crowd favorite. But when I started serving this cream cheese dip topped with strawberry sauce, it quickly became the star of the show. This dip is amazingly delicious and when it’s top with thinly sliced fresh basil, the party gets started! I’ve served this appetizer dip at least a dozen times and I’ve not met one person who hasn’t loved it. It’s just that good!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Only 5 simple ingredients are needed to make savory strawberry appetizer. The key is to use frozen strawberries when making the strawberry sauce. When they defrost, the moisture melds exceptionally well with the balsamic vinegar and sugar. You can use fresh strawberries if that is all you have on hand, but you won’t get the same consistency and delicious results.
📋 Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
Start by letting the bag of frozen strawberries thaw at room temperature. Place them in a medium-size bowl and then add the balsamic vinegar and white granulated sugar. Let these ingredient sit in the bowl for about 45 minutes so the strawberries can slowly thaw. The goal is to let the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar meld together and marinate. It should take about 45 minutes for the strawberries to thaw and the strawberry glaze to finish marinating. Once the strawberries are thawed enough to mash, use a fork or a hand held masher and gently press down on the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar. Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate. If you are entertaining, this slate plate is perfect and absolutely gorgeous to serve from. Then, take a spoonful of the strawberry sauce and spoon it onto the block of cheese. Next, slice the fresh basil into slivers and sprinkle it on top of the cream cheese dip. Using a cheese spreader knife, slice into it, and enjoy! Spread this onto your favorite cracker or onto a pita chip. Or, take your cracker and enjoy this as a dip! No matter how you eat it, it has so much flavor and is a must have for parties or gatherings!
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
💭 Expert Tips
The best way to soften cream cheese is to let it sit out at room temperature. When making this, I like to soften it at the same time the whole strawberries are thawing. Remove the block of cheese from the wrapping and set it on a plate. After about 30 minutes at room temperature, it will become soft and easy to slice into, as well as spread.Regular balsamic vinegar works well with this recipe but if you have a flavored balsamic vinegar, use it. I’ve used a cherry almond and a raspberry balsamic vinegar and the flavor popped even more. Balsamic reduction also works extremely well is this recipe. This will produce a thicker strawberry sauce. Some people refer to this as a spread and some call it a dip. I don’t think it matters what you call it…it’s a versatile recipe. It’s great when it is spread on top of bagels or crackers. It can also be stirred together and used as a dip for crackers and pita chips. Eat it however you want!I do not recommend freezing this recipe. When you freeze cream cheese and then let it thaw, the texture is not as creamy and it does not spread well.Both pita chips and crackers work well with this recipe. The crunch and granularity of the cracker really helps bring all the flavors and textures together.This dip should only sit out for a maximum of 2 hours at room temperature. From there, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving again. This one is best to enjoy when fresh.
🍽️ More Cream Cheese Appetizer Recipes
This cream cheese walnut spread is another easy appetizer recipe everyone will love! The finely chopped walnuts leave a nutty taste with a smooth texture that is perfectly paired with your favorite cracker, fresh vegetables, olives, or even dried fruit! And these shrimp stuffed mushrooms are loaded with so much flavor and are super easy to make. Hearty and filling, these are filled with shrimp, spinach, cream cheese, and seasoned crouton. You can make them ahead of time and then just pop them in the oven when your ready to eat! Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2016, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and tips in July 2022.
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