Cheese Spreads: 18 Retro Party Crocks Grandma Set Out With the Crackers

Cheese spreads are the easiest party appetizer you can make: no rolling and no shaping, just stir, spoon into a crock, chill overnight and the snack table is done. These retro crocks are back in a big way. An olive and cheese spread video passed 5.6 million views on Instagram in just a few days, and a classic company cheese spread drew nearly 470,000. Most of them start with sharp cheddar or cream cheese, keep for days in the fridge and taste even better on day two. Below you will find 15 old-school and new favorites, each with simple steps, plus gift and food safety tips. Which one did your grandma set out..

Cheese Spreads Make the Easiest Holiday Appetizer Board

Picture three little crocks on a board: orange port wine cheddar, creamy pimento cheese and a white olive spread, with a pile of crackers, grapes and pecans around them. That is the whole appetizer, and you made it the night before. This simple board is a mix of three spreads from this list, so guests get a taste of each. It is the easiest way to look like a great host. Which crock would you reach for first..

You will need: 1 batch port wine cheddar spread, 1 batch pimento cheese, 1 batch olive cream cheese spread, 3 small crocks or ramekins, butter crackers, toasted baguette slices, celery sticks, red grapes, pecan halves, rosemary.

How to make it: 1. Make the three spreads a day ahead and chill. 2. Take them out 20 minutes before serving to soften. 3. Spoon each into a small crock. 4. Set the crocks on a large board. 5. Fill the gaps with crackers, bread, celery, grapes and pecans. 6. Add a sprig of rosemary and a spreader for each crock.

Cheese Spreads From the Supper Club: Port Wine Cheddar

In Wisconsin supper clubs, a crock of port wine cheddar and crackers often comes to the table with the relish tray. The sharp cheddar gets whipped with cream cheese and a splash of port, which gives it that famous pink and orange swirl. Use grape juice instead of port if you like. It is one of the most nostalgic cheese spreads on this list.

You will need: 8 oz sharp cheddar finely shredded, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 2 tbsp butter softened, 3 tbsp ruby port or grape juice, 1/4 tsp dry mustard, pinch of cayenne, a drop of red food coloring (optional).

How to make it: 1. Let the cheeses and butter come to room temperature. 2. Beat the cheddar, cream cheese and butter until smooth. 3. Add the port, mustard and cayenne. 4. Swirl in the food coloring if you like. 5. Spoon into a crock and cover. 6. Chill overnight and serve with crackers.

Southern Cheese Spreads: Classic Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is called the pate of the South, and every family has its own version. Sharp cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos are the basics, with a little hot sauce for kick. Shred your own cheese, because bagged cheese has a coating that keeps it from blending. Spread it on crackers, celery or a grilled cheese sandwich. Chunky or smooth?

You will need: 8 oz sharp cheddar freshly shredded, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 jar (4 oz) diced pimentos drained, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, a few dashes hot sauce, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Shred the cheddar on the small holes of a grater. 2. Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. 3. Stir in the cheddar, pimentos and seasonings. 4. Add hot sauce to taste. 5. Spoon into a crock or jar. 6. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Viral Cheese Spreads: Olive and Cream Cheese

This is the spread behind the viral 5.6 million view video. Chopped green olives with pimentos are stirred into cream cheese with a little olive brine, garlic and a spoon of mayonnaise. It is salty, tangy and great on toasted bread or crackers. It takes five minutes and keeps all week, like most cheese spreads. Are you an olive lover or an olive skipper?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup pimento-stuffed green olives chopped, 2 tbsp olive brine, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 small clove garlic grated, black pepper, a few black olives for topping.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Stir in the mayonnaise and olive brine. 3. Fold in the chopped olives and garlic. 4. Season with pepper. 5. Spoon into a dish and top with black olives. 6. Chill 1 hour and serve on toast or crackers.

Kentucky Beer Cheese

Kentucky beer cheese started in riverside restaurants near Winchester, where the town now holds a yearly beer cheese festival. It is a sharp, garlicky spread with a little beer and cayenne. Serve it with pretzels, crackers and celery. Few cheese spreads have their own festival. You can use nonalcoholic beer, and the flavor stays just as good. Pretzels or crackers on the side?

You will need: 16 oz sharp cheddar shredded, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer at room temperature, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp dry mustard, 1/4 tsp cayenne, pretzels for serving.

How to make it: 1. Put the cheddar and garlic in a food processor. 2. Pulse until finely crumbled. 3. With the motor running, pour in the beer slowly. 4. Add the Worcestershire, mustard and cayenne. 5. Blend until smooth and spreadable. 6. Chill overnight and serve with pretzels.

Company Cheese Spread With Bacon and Green Onion

Company cheese spread is the one grandma made when guests were coming. Cream cheese, cheddar, crispy bacon and green onions get stirred together, then chilled. The 12 Tomatoes version passed almost half a million views this fall, with the cook saying she does not even measure anymore. Watch it in this company cheese spread video from 12 Tomatoes. It is a true crowd pleaser among cheese spreads.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, 3 green onions sliced, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, crackers.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. 2. Stir in the cheddar and garlic powder. 3. Fold in most of the bacon and green onions. 4. Spoon into a serving bowl. 5. Top with the rest of the bacon and onions. 6. Chill 2 hours and serve with crackers.

Chipotle Cheddar Spread

Smoky chipotle peppers turn a basic cheddar spread into something special, and a homemade chipotle cheese video drew over 500,000 views and almost 2,000 comments. A spoon of adobo sauce gives it heat and a deep red-orange color. Serve it with tortilla chips or on burgers. Start with one pepper and add more if you are brave. It is one of the spiciest cheese spreads here.

You will need: 8 oz sharp cheddar shredded, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo minced, 1 tbsp adobo sauce, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp cumin, tortilla chips.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise. 2. Add the chipotle, adobo, lime juice and cumin. 3. Stir in the cheddar. 4. Taste and add more chipotle if you like. 5. Spoon into a bowl. 6. Chill 1 hour and serve with chips.

Whipped Feta With Honey and Herbs

Whipped feta is the modern cousin of the retro crock. Salty feta gets blended with cream cheese or Greek yogurt until it is silky smooth, then topped with olive oil, honey and fresh herbs. It looks beautiful in a shallow bowl, and it is the lightest of these cheese spreads. Serve it with warm pita or sliced cucumbers. Is it sweet with honey or savory with herbs for you?

You will need: 8 oz feta crumbled, 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp olive oil plus more for drizzling, 1 lemon, 1 tbsp honey, fresh dill or mint, red pepper flakes, pita.

How to make it: 1. Blend the feta, cream cheese, oil and lemon zest until silky. 2. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. 3. Spread in a shallow bowl. 4. Make swirls with the back of a spoon. 5. Drizzle with olive oil and honey. 6. Top with herbs and pepper flakes.

Christmas Cheese Spreads: Cranberry Pecan

This is the Christmas version, red and green and perfect for a party. Cream cheese gets mixed with chopped dried cranberries, toasted pecans, orange zest and green onion. It is sweet, tangy and crunchy. Spread it on crackers or pipe it onto cucumber slices. It also makes a lovely gift in a small jar. Do you like sweet appetizers?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup shredded white cheddar, 1/2 cup dried cranberries chopped, 1/2 cup toasted pecans chopped, zest of 1 orange, 2 green onions sliced, 1 tbsp honey.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and honey. 2. Stir in the cheddar and orange zest. 3. Fold in most of the cranberries, pecans and green onions. 4. Spoon into a crock. 5. Top with the rest of the cranberries and pecans. 6. Chill 2 hours before serving.

Game Day Cheese Spreads: Jalapeno Popper

All the flavor of jalapeno poppers without stuffing a single pepper. Cream cheese, cheddar, chopped jalapenos and crispy bacon make a spread that disappears at game day parties. Serve it cold with crackers, or bake it for 15 minutes and serve it warm. Remove the seeds if you want it mild. How hot do you like your poppers?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup sour cream, 3 jalapenos seeded and diced, 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, crackers or tortilla chips.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and sour cream. 2. Stir in the cheddar, jalapenos and garlic powder. 3. Fold in most of the bacon. 4. Spoon into a dish and top with the rest of the bacon. 5. Chill and serve cold, or bake at 375 F for 15 minutes. 6. Serve with crackers or chips.

Smoked Gouda and Caramelized Onion Spread

This spread tastes like a fancy restaurant appetizer. Sweet caramelized onions and smoky gouda are blended with cream cheese and a little thyme. The onions take about 30 minutes, but you can make them days ahead. Serve it with apple slices and crackers. It is a great choice for a wine and cheese night, and one of the fanciest cheese spreads on the list. For more retro party ideas, see our retro cheese ball recipes guests always ask for.

You will need: 8 oz smoked gouda shredded, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 2 large onions thinly sliced, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1/4 cup sour cream, salt and pepper, apple slices and crackers.

How to make it: 1. Cook the onions in butter over medium low heat for 30 minutes until deep golden. 2. Cool and chop. 3. Beat the cream cheese and sour cream. 4. Stir in the gouda, onions and thyme. 5. Season and spoon into a crock. 6. Chill and serve with apples and crackers.

Retro Pineapple Pecan Cheese Spread

This one is straight out of a 1970s church cookbook. Crushed pineapple, pecans, green pepper and onion go into cream cheese for a sweet and savory spread that surprises everyone. It sounds odd, but it is one of the classic cheese spreads for a reason. Serve it with butter crackers. Have you ever seen this one at a family gathering?

You will need: 16 oz cream cheese softened, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple well drained, 1 cup pecans chopped, 1/4 cup green bell pepper finely diced, 2 tbsp onion finely diced, 1 tsp seasoned salt, butter crackers.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Squeeze the pineapple dry and stir it in. 3. Add the green pepper, onion and seasoned salt. 4. Fold in most of the pecans. 5. Spoon into a crock and top with the rest of the pecans. 6. Chill overnight and serve with crackers.

Hot Pepper Jelly Over Cream Cheese

This is the one-minute appetizer that has been at Southern parties for decades. Unwrap a block of cream cheese, set it on a plate and pour a jar of hot pepper jelly over the top. That is it. The sweet heat with the cool cheese is addictive. Use red jelly for Christmas color. Do you keep a jar of pepper jelly in the pantry?

You will need: 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, 1/2 cup hot pepper jelly (red or green), crackers, a small spreader.

How to make it: 1. Set the cold block of cream cheese on a serving plate. 2. Stir the jelly so it loosens. 3. Spoon the jelly over the top and let it run down the sides. 4. Set crackers around the plate. 5. Add a small spreader. 6. Serve right away.

Homemade Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread

You can make the famous garlic and herb cheese at home for a fraction of the price. Cream cheese and butter are blended with fresh garlic, parsley, chives, dill and a little Parmesan. It is great on crackers, baked potatoes and bagels. Pack it in little jars for teachers and neighbors, because homemade cheese spreads make great gifts. Which herb is your favorite?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 4 tbsp butter softened, 1 clove garlic grated, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped chives, 1 tsp chopped dill, 1/4 tsp black pepper.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. 2. Add the garlic and Parmesan. 3. Stir in the herbs and pepper. 4. Taste and add salt if needed. 5. Pack into small jars or a crock. 6. Chill 2 hours so the flavors blend.

Benedictine, Louisville’s Cucumber Spread

Benedictine is a pale green cucumber and cream cheese spread created by Louisville caterer Jennie Benedict in the early 1900s. It is still a must at Kentucky Derby parties and tea sandwiches. Grated cucumber and onion are squeezed dry, then mixed into cream cheese. It is cool, fresh and a nice break from rich cheese spreads.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 medium cucumber peeled and seeded, 2 tbsp grated onion, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch of cayenne, 1 drop green food coloring (optional).

How to make it: 1. Grate the cucumber and onion. 2. Squeeze them very dry in a towel. 3. Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise. 4. Stir in the cucumber, onion, salt and cayenne. 5. Add a drop of green coloring if you like. 6. Chill and serve on crackers or small sandwiches.

Liptauer, the Paprika Cheese Spread of Austria

Liptauer is a bright orange spread from Central Europe, made with soft cheese, butter, sweet paprika, capers and a little onion. In Austria it is served in wine taverns with dark bread. It brings beautiful color to a holiday board, and it is a fun story to tell. Have you ever tried a cheese spread from another country?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese or farmer cheese, 4 tbsp butter softened, 1 tbsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp caraway seeds, 1 tbsp capers chopped, 1 tbsp onion finely chopped, 1 tsp mustard, salt, chives.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cheese and butter until smooth. 2. Add the paprika, mustard and caraway. 3. Stir in the capers and onion. 4. Season with salt. 5. Spoon into a bowl and top with chives. 6. Chill 1 hour and serve with dark bread.

Gift It: Cheese Spread in a Jar

Cheese spreads make wonderful hostess gifts. Pack the spread into a clean jar, tie a ribbon around the lid and attach a sleeve of crackers. Add a tag with the name and a use-by date. Keep it cold until you hand it over, and tell the person to refrigerate it right away. Who would you surprise with a jar this season?

You will need: Clean 8 oz glass jars with lids, any spread from this list, ribbon or twine, gift tags, a sleeve of crackers, a small cooler bag for transport.

How to make it: 1. Make the spread the day before. 2. Pack it firmly into clean jars. 3. Wipe the rims and close tightly. 4. Tie on a ribbon, tag and crackers. 5. Write the use-by date, 4 to 5 days ahead. 6. Keep cold until giving.

Make-Ahead and Food Safety Tips

Most cheese spreads keep 4 to 5 days in the fridge and taste better after a night of chilling. Take them out about 20 minutes before serving so they soften. Like any dairy dish, do not leave them out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day. Set out small crocks and refill them from the fridge. Which of these cheese spreads will you make first?

You will need: Airtight containers, small crocks or ramekins, plastic wrap, labels, a tray of ice for warm rooms, spreaders, crackers and vegetables for serving.

How to make it: 1. Make spreads 1 to 2 days ahead. 2. Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. 3. Take out 20 minutes before serving. 4. Use small crocks and refill from the fridge. 5. Toss any spread left out longer than 2 hours. 6. Label each crock for guests with allergies.