Smoky Sweet Bacon Cheese Spread Recipe

Ingredients for Smoky Sweet Bacon Cheese Spread

• Neufchatel Cheese
• Feta Cheese
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Ground Chipotle Chile Pepper
• 4 ounces cooked bacon, crumbled
• Kalamata Olive
• Dried Cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped dates
• Chile Powder
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• Cracker
• Chips
• Bagel Chips
• Pita Chips
• Assorted Crudites
• Egg
• Flour Tortilla
• Mushroom

How to Make Smoky Sweet Bacon Cheese Spread

1. In a small bowl, cream together 8 ounces neufchatel cheese and 4 ounces feta cheese, scraping the bowl until well combined.
2. Beat in 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
3. Scrape bowl and beat in 4 ounces cooked bacon (crumbled), 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and 1/4 cup chopped dates until well combined.
4. Stir in 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.
5. Transfer to a covered container and chill for at least 2 hours. (The longer it chills, the more the flavors will meld!)
6. For molding: Press plastic wrap into a bowl, spoon in the cheese spread, cover, chill, and then invert onto a serving platter.
7. To serve, spread into a pretty bowl on a platter or mound on a platter.
8. Sprinkle with remaining feta cheese, chili powder, and 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley.
9. Surround with your favorite crackers, vegetables, or fruits.
10. **Tortilla Wheels:** Spread the cheese mixture evenly onto 2 large flour tortillas. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.
11. Chill for at least 2 hours until firm.
12. Unwrap, trim ends, and slice each roll into 8 crosswise slices to create wheels.
13. **Optional Baking:** Bake tortilla wheels at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
14. **Stuffed Mushrooms:** Hollow out 1 pound of large mushrooms. Add some chopped mushroom stems to the cheese spread.
15. Fill mushroom caps with the cheese spread.
16. Bake stuffed mushrooms at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender.