cream cheese seasoned with spike seasoning

DairyYear-round

Provides protein and fat from the cream cheese base, along with some minerals from the Spike seasoning blend; caloric density is relatively high due to cream cheese content.

About

Cream cheese seasoned with Spike is a compound ingredient combining fresh cream cheese with Spike seasoning, a multi-purpose seasoning blend. Cream cheese itself is a soft, spreadable fresh cheese made from milk and cream, characterized by a smooth, tangy flavor and rich mouthfeel. Spike seasoning is a proprietary blend of salt, garlic, onion, and various herbs and spices (typically including celery seed, parsley, and other dried vegetables and seasonings) that adds savory, umami-forward complexity. This combination creates a ready-to-use spread with enhanced flavor depth suitable for both savory and sweet applications.

Culinary Uses

Cream cheese seasoned with Spike serves as a versatile spread and ingredient in contemporary cuisine. It is commonly used as a bagel or cracker spread, a base for dips and spreads, or a component in appetizers such as stuffed mushrooms or jalapeño poppers. The seasoning blend enhances the cream cheese's natural tang, making it suitable for savory applications while reducing the need for additional seasoning adjustments during preparation. It can be incorporated into frosting recipes where savory notes are desired, mixed into vegetable platters with crackers, or used as a binding agent in cheese-based dishes.

Forms & Preparations

  • Spread consistency — Softened cream cheese with Spike mixed throughout, ready to spread on bagels, crackers, or vegetables
  • Dip base — Thinned with milk, sour cream, or broth to achieve dip consistency for vegetable or chip accompaniment
  • Whipped — Cream cheese blended with Spike until airy and light, used for frosting or mousse-like applications
  • Piped filling — Stiffened slightly and piped into mushrooms, tomatoes, or other hollowed vegetables for appetizers

Substitutes

  • Unknown — Mix unseasoned cream cheese with Spike to taste (typically 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 8 oz cream cheese); allows for customization of seasoning intensity.
  • Unknown — Combine cream cheese with fresh garlic, fresh or dried herbs (parsley, chives, dill) and salt; provides fresher herb notes than the proprietary Spike blend.
  • Unknown — Use these fresh cheeses with added Spike or a similar seasoning blend as a lighter alternative, though flavor and texture will differ noticeably.
  • Unknown — Offers a tangy, protein-rich alternative for spreads and dips; use 1.5:1 yogurt to Spike ratio to account for lower fat content.