Description
This Confit Garlic Cream Cheese recipe combines the sweet, mellow flavors of slow-roasted garlic with smooth cream cheese to create a versatile spread perfect for bagels, sandwiches, or dips. The garlic is gently cooked in olive oil until tender and golden, then blended into cream cheese for a rich, creamy, and flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Confit
- 3 heads garlic, peeled
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more if needed to cover garlic)
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup roasted garlic cloves (from the confit)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 250ºF (120ºC) to prepare for slow roasting the garlic.
- Roast Garlic: Place peeled garlic cloves in a baking dish or cocotte with a cover. Pour olive oil over the garlic until fully submerged, adding more oil if necessary. Cover the dish securely and bake for about 2 hours, until the garlic cloves are tender and golden in color.
- Cool and Reserve: Allow the garlic and oil mixture to cool to room temperature. Set aside ⅓ cup of the roasted garlic cloves for the cream cheese mixture. Reserve the remaining garlic and oil in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks for other uses.
- Blend Cream Cheese and Garlic: In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the reserved ⅓ cup confit garlic cloves and cream cheese. Blend or mix on low speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Serve or Store: Spread the garlic cream cheese on your favorite bagel or sandwich. Alternatively, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add small amounts of the reserved garlic oil while blending; add gradually to avoid making the spread too runny.
- The reserved confit garlic and oil make a flavorful addition to sautés, dressings, or as a dip on their own.
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier blending and a smoother texture.
- Store the spread in a sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Spread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
