If you love garlic but prefer it mellowed and luxuriously creamy, then you are going to adore this Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe. It transforms simple ingredients into a velvety spread bursting with gentle sweetness and deep garlic flavor that feels incredibly indulgent yet comforting. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just treating yourself to a delicious snack, this recipe is a fantastic way to elevate your cheese board or breakfast bagel with an irresistible homemade touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients sets the stage for creating a beautifully balanced spread. Each element plays a vital role, whether it’s the smooth richness of cream cheese, the gentle sweetness from slow-cooked garlic, or the little zing from fresh lemon juice and herbs that brighten the mix.
- Garlic cloves (1 head): The star of the dish, garlic slowly cooked to become soft and sweet instead of pungent.
- Olive oil (1/4 cup): Submerges the garlic during cooking, infusing it with a silky, fruity richness.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Provides the creamy, luscious base that blends perfectly with the garlic paste.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tbsp, optional): Adds a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness beautifully.
- Salt (1/4 tsp or to taste): Enhances all the flavors, bringing harmony to the spread.
- Black pepper (1/4 tsp): A subtle peppery warmth that rounds out each bite.
- Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley, chives, or thyme add a pop of herbal freshness and color.
How to Make Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Peel the Garlic
Start by peeling your garlic cloves carefully. If you prefer a smoother process, slicing the cloves in half can ease the peeling and later blending. The key here is to get the garlic ready to soak up all that delicious olive oil slowly.
Step 2: Slowly Cook the Garlic in Olive Oil
In a small saucepan, gently submerge the garlic cloves in olive oil and heat over very low heat. Patience is essential — let them cook for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. The goal is tender, golden cloves that are sweet and mellow without any browning, revealing the magic of slow cooking.
Step 3: Cool and Reserve Garlic and Oil
Once perfectly confited, remove the garlic cloves from the oil and allow them to cool completely. Don’t toss the garlic-infused oil; it’s a treasure for drizzling on salads or roasted veggies, bringing that subtle garlic essence to other dishes.
Step 4: Mash the Garlic to a Paste
After cooling, mash the garlic cloves using the back of a spoon or a fork until you get a soft paste. For an ultra-smooth texture, feel free to pulse them in a food processor, which will incorporate a lovely creaminess that blends easily into the cream cheese.
Step 5: Combine with Cream Cheese and Seasonings
In a medium mixing bowl, mix the softened cream cheese together with the mashed garlic paste. Add in lemon juice if you like a touch of brightness, then season with salt and black pepper. Whisk or use a hand mixer until the mixture turns smooth and fluffy — this spreads beautifully and tastes divine.
Step 6: Stir in Fresh Herbs (Optional)
If you want to add an herbaceous lift, fold in finely chopped parsley, chives, or thyme now. These fresh touches not only enhance flavor but also add a burst of color that makes your spread even more inviting.
Step 7: Chill Before Serving
Pop your confit garlic cream cheese into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a truly irresistible spread that will impress everyone at the table.
How to Serve Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper or a pinch of chopped fresh herbs adds a lovely, fresh touch. For extra indulgence, drizzle a tiny bit of the reserved confit garlic oil on top to highlight the garlic aroma and give your dish shine.
Side Dishes
This spread pairs wonderfully with a variety of bites like warm toast points, crunchy crackers, crisp vegetable sticks, or even as a creamy layer on bagels. It’s equally excellent alongside charcuterie boards or as a luscious addition to grilled sandwiches.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe in a small rustic bowl surrounded by colorful veggies and artisan bread for a casual appetizer. Or pipe it onto cucumber rounds and top with a tiny herb sprig for a charming party canapé. The possibilities are endless and fun to experiment with.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your confit garlic cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 5 days, making it perfect for preparing ahead or enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
While cream cheese textures can sometimes change with freezing, you can freeze this spread if needed. Use a freezer-safe container and thaw it in the fridge overnight. Stir well before serving to help it regain smoothness as best as possible.
Reheating
This recipe is best served cold or at room temperature. If you prefer it a bit softer, let it sit outside the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes rather than reheating, so you don’t lose that fresh, creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use roasted garlic instead of confit garlic?
Roasted garlic has a deeper caramelized flavor and is less delicate than confit garlic. While you can substitute it, the subtle sweetness and silky texture unique to confit garlic will be missing, changing the spread’s character quite a bit.
Is this recipe dairy-free or suitable for lactose intolerance?
The cream cheese base contains dairy, so it’s not suitable for dairy-free diets or lactose intolerance unless you use a lactose-free or vegan cream cheese alternative.
How long does the garlic take to confit?
Typically, it takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour on very low heat for the garlic to become tender and tenderly golden. The slow process is essential for mellow flavor and smooth texture.
Can I add other spices or flavorings?
Absolutely! A pinch of smoked paprika, a bit of crushed red pepper, or a drizzle of honey can add exciting new flavors, just adjust to your taste preference.
What’s the best way to serve this at a party?
Serve chilled with an assortment of crackers, crusty bread, and fresh veggies. Providing small spreader knives encourages guests to enjoy it easily and makes the presentation more elegant.
Final Thoughts
This Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe is such a joy to make and share, offering layers of flavor that are both comforting and sophisticated. It turns everyday cream cheese into something truly special, brightened by fresh herbs and mellowed by confit garlic’s magic. I can’t wait for you to enjoy this as much as I do — it’s one of those recipes that keeps inviting you back for more.
Print
Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1.1 cup (about 8 servings)
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Confit Garlic Cream Cheese combines slow-cooked, sweet and mellow garlic cloves with creamy, tangy cream cheese for a rich, flavorful spread. Perfect as a dip, on toast, bagels, or crackers, this recipe enhances your dishes with its smooth texture and aromatic taste. The confit garlic is gently cooked in olive oil to develop a deep sweetness that melds beautifully with fresh herbs and lemon juice for brightness.
Ingredients
Confit Garlic
- 1 head of garlic (about 10–12 cloves)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (enough to submerge garlic)
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fresh herbs (optional, such as parsley, chives, or thyme)
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic: Peel the garlic cloves. For a milder flavor and easier skin removal, you may slice the cloves in half.
- Cook the garlic: Place cloves and olive oil in a small saucepan, ensuring garlic is submerged. Heat over very low heat and cook slowly for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until garlic is soft, tender, and golden but not browned.
- Cool the garlic: Remove garlic from oil and let it cool to room temperature. Reserve the garlic-infused oil for later use in dressings or drizzling.
- Mash the garlic: Use a spoon, fork, or food processor to mash the cooled garlic into a smooth paste.
- Mix the cream cheese: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mashed confit garlic, lemon juice (if using), salt, and pepper. Blend with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add fresh herbs (optional): Stir in finely chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme to add flavor complexity.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Serve on crackers, toast, bagels, or as a vegetable dip.
Notes
- Keep the garlic-infused olive oil for dressings, roasting vegetables, or drizzling over dishes for extra flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste after chilling for best results.
- For a smoother texture, use a food processor instead of mashing by hand.
- This spread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Adding lemon juice is optional but brightens the flavor and balances the richness.
