Creamy Cheese Spread with Spiced Warm Cherry Sauce
Smooth cream cheese meets a rich, fragrant cherry sauce infused with rosemary, cinnamon, and honey, finished with a sprinkle of crunchy pecans. This quick appetizer is perfect for pairing with crackers at holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups dark cherries, pitted and chopped (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 tablespoon honey (preferably local)
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary or 1½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup water (reduce to ¼ cup if using thawed frozen cherries with their juice)
- ¼ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- Optional garnish: 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
To Serve:
- Rice crackers or other gluten-free crackers
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine cherries, honey, rosemary, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and water. Stir gently to mix.
- Cook until thickened: Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by half and the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
- Assemble: Place the softened cream cheese on a serving plate. Spoon half of the warm cherry sauce over the top. Serve the remaining sauce on the side or reserve to refresh the spread later.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped pecans and extra fresh rosemary, if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with gluten-free crackers.
Notes
Pro Tips & Variations:
- Frozen shortcut: Use thawed frozen cherries and reduce water to ¼ cup for a quicker prep.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce up to a day in advance and reheat gently before serving.
- Flavor twist: Replace rosemary with thyme or add a pinch of nutmeg for a different aromatic profile.
- Nut-free option: Omit pecans or replace with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.
- Pairing ideas: Serve with crusty bread slices, pita chips, or a fruit and nut cracker variety for extra flavor.