Let’s talk about this delicious homemade maple pecan cream cheese and why you would want to start making your own cream cheese flavors at home. To be honest, I actually had never thought about making my own cream cheese spread until we started experiencing cream cheese shortages. I love having bagels prepared as a quick breakfast when we have company. Unfortunately, flavored cream cheese spreads were sold out in our area. So I decided to make my own. Panera’s honey walnut cream cheese is one of my favorite flavors. So, I decided to give it a whirl with my own spin on it. I raided the pantry to see what we had on hand and I decided it would have to be maple pecan cream cheese. I think we actually ended up liking it better than the original honey walnut version.
This maple pecan cream cheese is very versatile.
This delicious maple pecan cream cheese is perfect on a homemade sourdough bagel. If you don’t want to get that fancy, it is the perfect cream cheese to really dress up a store bought bagel or you could even splurge with a box of Panera or bakery bagels.
It would also be delicious on crackers or make a unique addition to a charcuterie board! I absolutely love making this maple pecan cream cheese homemade because you can taste the difference. The mixer will give your cream cheese a light and fluffy whipped texture and using fresh ingredients makes all the difference when it comes to taste. The best part is that it’s super simple and only takes about 5 minute to make. And, it won’t break the bank because it only takes 3 ingredients. Depending on what you buy, you may actually save money over buying the pre-mixed cream cheese spread.
You only need these three simple ingredients to get started.
If you want to get extra fancy you could every try making your cream cheese yourself but for this recipe, I used one block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. I hadn’t tried making my own cream cheese yet, but it sounds simple enough so I definitely want to give it a try someday. It doesn’t have to be Philadelphia BUT, I would highly recommend the full fat cream cheese. 1/3 less fat just doesn’t taste right.
You’re also going to need pecan halves and MAPLE Syrup. This is important so be sure to check your syrup bottle. A lot of the cheaper, popular syrup brand are corn syrup or brown rice syrup with artificial flavoring. For the best results you want to get REAL maple syrup or you will end up with corn syrup pecan cream cheese instead of Maple Pecan Cream Cheese. That just doesn’t have the same ring to it!
The whole process is super simple.
Set out your cream cheese early so it has plenty of time to warm up to room temperature. Then, prepare your pecans while the cream cheese is thawing. Toast the pecans for a couple of minutes. You can do this easily in a toaster oven or in a pan over low to medium heat. Give the pecans ample time to cool to room temperature.
Once the cream cheese is ready to go, throw it in the mixer and whip if for 3-5 minutes. This will make your cream cheese light and fluffy.
While your whipping the cream cheese, finely chop your toasted pecans and throw them in the mixer with the cream cheese.
Go ahead and add your maple syrup. Mix everything until it is well incorporated. That’s it! Now you can enjoy your fresh maple pecan cream cheese! It’s actually best if you let it chill for a few hours before eating BUT, if you just can’t wait, I completely understand!
Maple Pecan Cream Cheese
Creamy maple pecan cream cheese perfect with homemade bagels.
Ingredients
- 1 (8oz) block of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup pecan halves, chopped
- 2 tbs maple syrup
Instructions
- Set out a block of cream cheese and thaw to room temperature.
- Toast pecans and cool to room temperature. Finely chop pecans.
- Whip cream cheese with stand or hand mixer at med-high speed for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mix well, scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary.
- Toss in pecans and mix until well incorporated.
- Scoop into serving dish. Best if served chilled.
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