Homemade Southern Spread Recipe
The Homemade Southern Spread Recipe is a classic, creamy and savory addition to any kitchen table. Learning how to make Homemade Southern Spread at home is a wonderful way to enjoy Southern hospitality tonight
Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup high-quality mayonnaise
- 1 jar 4 oz diced pimentos, drained very well
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Grate the Cheese
- Use a box grater to shred your sharp cheddar cheese into fine or medium bits for the best texture. Freshly grated cheese creates a much smoother and creamier spread than the pre-shredded bags found in stores today.
Cream the Base
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Use a hand mixer to blend these ingredients until they are silky, light and completely smooth tonight.
Fold in Pimentos
- Gently stir in the drained pimentos using a rubber spatula to ensure they are evenly distributed through the cream. These small and sweet peppers give the spread its famous color and a lovely, subtle sweetness that everyone loves.
Combine with Cheddar
- Add the grated cheddar cheese to the creamy mixture and stir firmly until every piece of cheese is coated. You want a thick, spreadable consistency that holds its shape but feels soft on a cracker today.
Chill and Set
- Transfer your finished spread into a decorative glass jar and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. This allows the flavors to marry together and makes the spread much easier to serve to your guests.
Notes
- Always grate your own cheese to avoid the waxy coating found on pre-shredded cheese in grocery stores.
- For a smokier flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke today.
- Use a mixture of sharp white cheddar and orange cheddar for a beautiful, multi-colored look in the jar.
- If you like extra crunch, fold in some very finely diced celery or toasted pecans before chilling tonight.
- Add a splash of juice from a jar of jalapeños if you want a spicy, zesty kick. That same bright heat works beautifully in these loaded bell pepper nachos if you want to put jalapeño brine to even more use on game day.
- Make sure your cream cheese is very soft so it blends easily without leaving any large white lumps.