A delectable appetizer is only a short whirl in the food processor away with this easy recipe for a tangy cheddar cheese spread. A swirl of horseradish gives it just the right amount of sass!
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Why we love this recipe
I’m very into scrumptious savory spreads that can be whirled up in the food processor.
Until recently my love was confined to my reliable beer cheese spread, but lately I have been branching out into other things that can be tossed into the food processor, spun around into deliciousness and be sitting on a cracker or a piece of celery 5 minutes later.
So here’s the latest one, which is a lovely fluffy concoction of cheddar cheese, horseradish, white wine and a few other goodies.
You can vary the spiciness of this one by adjusting the amount of pepper up or down, keeping in mind that the horseradish is already going to add a bit of a zing to this. In a great way.
And it truly is as simple as adding everything all at once to the food processor and whirling it away for about a minute…you maybe need to stop a time or two to push the bits on the side of the processor down, but that’s as strenuous as things get.
I like to serve this with both crackers or toasted french bread slices and celery slices.
I also like to serve it in small ice cream sundae glasses (affiliate link) because they look so much fun and because I found them when we were moving and now I have this burning need to use them at any and all opportunity.
So there you have it…a delicious nibble that is simple and fast and perfect!
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Cheese: We love the sassy flavor of sharp cheddar for this recipe, but you can tone it down a bit by using medium or milk cheddar if you like that better.
- Sour Cream: Both regular and low-fat sour cream will work.
- Horseradish: Look for this spicy shredded condiment near the mustard in your grocery store.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe
STEP 1: Put all ingredients except for spices into food processor. Process until smooth, about one minute, stopping as needed to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
STEP 2: Season to taste with pepper.
STEP 3: Scoop into a pretty serving dish, sprinkle with paprika and serve with crackers and celery sticks.
Recipe FAQs
Horseradish is spicy root vegetable. You can get it fresh in the produce section or grated in the condiment section (I recommend getting it in the already grated form as freshly grated is SUPER spicy!)
Paprika is a ground spice made from dried red peppers. It’s used Ito season meats, vegetables, soups, and stews, and to garnish deviled eggs, potato salad, and other dishes – its cheery red color gives things a fun pop!
Technically yes, but we really recommend getting a block of cheese and shredding it yourself for the very best flavor. If you have a food processor, it probably has a shredding blade that can shred your cheese up in about 5 seconds!
It can! Make it a day or two ahead, and then let it come to room temperature before you serve it.
Crackers, celery, baby carrots, sliced of cucumber…they will all go perfectly! You might want to give our easy recipe for salt and pepper crackers a whirl.
Pop your question into the Comments section underneath the recipe card and I will answer pronto!
Other cheesy appetizer recipes we love!
We want to know what you think!
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.
Cheddar Cheese Spread
A delectable appetizer is only a short whirl in the food processor away with this easy recipe for a tangy cheddar cheese spread. A swirl of horseradish gives it just the right amount of sass!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 3 cups
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons horseradish
- Fresh ground pepper
- Paprika for garnish
- Crackers and celery sticks for serving
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except for spices into food processor. Process until smooth, about one minute, stopping as needed to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
- Season to taste with pepper.
- Scoop into a pretty serving dish, sprinkle with paprika and serve with crackers and celery sticks.
Notes
- Cheese: We love the sassy flavor of sharp cheddar for this recipe, but you can tone it down a bit by using medium or milk cheddar if you like that better.
- Sour Cream: Both regular and low-fat sour cream will work.
- Horseradish: Look for this spicy shredded condiment near the mustard in your grocery store.
Mary says
This came out so good! I used pretzels to dip and it was amazing!!
Pretzels to dip is a great idea!
Jennifer says
Do you know how many ounces of cheese makes 3 cups? I like the precision of the weight of an ingredient for consistency in the final product. Thanks
Hi Jennifer! 3 cups is about 12 ounces. :)
Michele says
I have a container of prepared horseradish cheese spread. I would like to make it softer (and a little less strong) so it is easier to spread on crackers. Any suggestions?
Hi Michele! I get it – horseradish can pam a punch! I would get a container of whipped cream cheese (not the regular time) and stir it in by tablespoons until you get the taste and consistency you like. Hope this helps!
Michele says
Thanks for the info and prompt response!
Shelly says
Making my mouth water, I do a super simple version when in a last minute bind to serve something for drop in company, use one glass jar of Old English Cheese and horseradish to taste, sprinkle with paprika and serve, so easy.
Love this shortcut!!
Mares says
When, in the recipe, you call for horseradish, do you mean prepared horseradish (sauce) or do you mean fresh, raw horseradish?
fresh raw horseradish – the kind in the jar. :)
Nutmeg Nanny says
Yum, this spread sounds amazing :) I love horseradish!
robin says
Added it to the bounty of appetizers for Thanksgiving day and it was a hit! In fact it was all eaten while we had leftover onion dip so apparently there’s a new favorite!
I’m so glad! It was a fave on our Thanksgiving table too. :)
ColleenB. says
What a great recipe. Something quick to whip up and to have for all those games that will be coming up or something to put in a pretty jar and give as a gift.
Thank you
ColleenB.
I love anything quick and delicious in the middle of the holiday whirlwind! :)
Joanne says
Now that I have a boyfriend who monopolizes my tv on Sundays to watch football, I’ve become much more into dips and snacks! This is totally making an appearance at our next game day marathon.
Yay! Make sure you tune into the Clemson/South Carolina game this weekend (go TIGERS!!) :)