Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
This Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Schmear is tangy, a little sweet, and a perfect match for an everything bagel.
This is perfect for a breakfast or brunch party because it's SO EASY to make, and the unique flavor is one you can't find in stores.
Serve this with freshly toasted bagels alongside a scrumptious brunch spread.
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Why You'll Love This:
- It’s easy and the flavor gets better when you let it rest overnight. So, make it ahead of time.
- You can easily double or triple this. So, if you need to bring something decadent to a brunch party or staff lunch for your kids, this is an easy win.
- It is rich and tangy! The tangy flavors from the sun-dried tomatoes and cream cheese work great together. The added spices give it an extra depth to the final flavor.
- This is a unique flavor combo you can’t find in your regular grocery store.
Why is Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Schmear good for a group?
This is great for a group because you should prepare it ahead of time, AND you can easily double or triple the recipe. It can be stored for up to a week in the fridge, so you can make it long before party time and then pull it out when you need it.
Also, serving homemade schemers is such a nice way to elevate your hosting. While you certainly can set out a number of store-bought flavors when you're hosting a brunch party (might I suggest a Bring Your Own Bagel Party), it’s nice to serve something you created.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese - Any brand or variety will work. This is your base, so I recommend getting a brand you already know and love. Many people choose the class name brand Philadelphia cream cheese.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes - These come packed in oil and dry packed. They also come julienned (thin strips) or in larger slices. Because the food processor will chop these up really well, I don’t recommend chopping them very much (if at all) before adding them to the cream cheese. I am very partial to the Bella Sun Luci and California Sun-Dry brands. My local Costco has the Bella Sun Luci brand, so that's what I've been using recently.
- Garlic Power (not pictured) - Using a high-quality garlic powder gives this an extra layer of flavor. If you don't have garlic powder but somehow have roasted garlic cloves, you can use those instead. Do not use fresh garlic! It will be super spicy.
- Fresh Chives - These give a nice fresh note to the intense flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes. I recommend chopping them first and mixing them in after you pulse together the tomatoes.
Please see the recipe card for full quantities!
Instructions
In short - pulse all the ingredients in a food processor for 20-30 pulses, cover and chill overnight.
Place ingredients in the food processor and sprinkle the garlic powder on top.
Pulse 4-5 times.
Scrape down the sides.
Pulse 10-15 more times or until the sun-dried tomatoes are the size of a pea or smaller.
HELPFUL HINTS:
It helps if the cream cheese is softened. You can either bring it up to room temperature by letting it sit out. OR you can microwave it in 5-7 second intervals until it's soft. See the FAQ section about how to soften cream cheese the right way.
Substitutions
Instead of fresh chives, you can use green onions.
Variations
If you are dairy-free or cooking for someone who is dairy-free, you can swap a dairy-free cream cheese (or cream cheese alternative). If you want a vegan version, use your preferred brand of vegan cream cheese.
To turn this into a pizza-flavored spread, add some red pepper flakes, fresh herbs like oregano and basil, and a little bit of parmesan cheese.
Turn this into a creamy dip by mixing in 1 cup of sour cream.
Storage
Ensure the Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Schmear is in an airtight container before being in the fridge to chill overnight. It will protect the flavors of your schmear. If you have leftovers, same deal. Make sure they're in an airtight container.
Store for 5-7 days, sealed.
Top tip
If the spread is still too stiff to easily spread when it's at room temputure, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of whole milk or cream.
FAQ
Schmear refers to a flavored, cream cheese-based spread, typically for bagels. Schmears can be sweet or savory and are typically more spreadable than a traditional block of cream cheese.
Unwrap the cream cheese and place it on a microwave-proof plate. Microwave for 5-7 seconds. Flip it over onto its other side, and microwave for an additional 5-7 seconds. Repeat this 2-3 more times until it is softened but not warm. If you microwave it for longer intervals, you run the risk of heating the cream cheese and getting spots that are essentially melted. Those hot spots also tend to explode in the microwave, leaving you with an oily mess to clean up. I am, unfortunately, speaking from experience.
It will be better if you do, but if you're pressed for time, this is one that works well if being made and served immediately.
YES! And you can easily double it if you need to make a larger quantity.
Related
Looking for other great recipes or ideas like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese Schmear Recipe
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¾ cup packed sun dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon chopped chives
- 1 tablespoon cream optional
Instructions
- Add cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.
- Pulse 5-7 times.
- Scrape down the edges of the bowl, making sure that you pile the ingredients back towards the center and on top of the blade.
- Add the chives, and pulse another 10-20 times or until the tomatoes are between the size of a green pea or lentil, depending on preference.
- Optional - If you’d like a more even texture and consistency, keep scraping down the bowl and pulse in 10-20 increments until you get the desired texture.
- Cover and chill overnight.
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