Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe

Silky Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe for Luxurious Spreads

Creamy and luxurious garlic confit cream cheese spreads magic across your kitchen counter with minimal effort.

Fragrant roasted cloves melt into soft cheese, creating a silky smooth sensation.

Subtle sweetness from slowly cooked garlic transforms an ordinary spread into something extraordinary.

Rich, velvety textures dance between tangy cream cheese and caramelized garlic notes.

Simple ingredients combine for an elegant appetizer that feels surprisingly sophisticated.

Smooth peaks of this cream cheese invite crackers, fresh vegetables, or warm bread to join the party.

Garlic Cream Cheese Styles Worth Exploring

  • Herb-Infused Garlic Cream Cheese: Blend in fresh chopped herbs like chives, dill, or basil for a vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile.
  • Spicy Roasted Garlic Spread: Mix in red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to create a zesty, warming cream cheese variation.
  • Mediterranean Garlic Cream Cheese: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta, and a sprinkle of dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired spread.
  • Truffle Garlic Cream Cheese: Add a few drops of truffle oil for a luxurious, earthy undertone that elevates the classic recipe.

Great Matches With Garlic Cream Cheese Spread

  • Craft Crisp Cracker Companions: Serve the confit garlic cream cheese alongside rosemary-infused water crackers or seeded artisan crackers for a delightful crunch that highlights the creamy, mellow garlic notes.
  • Select Sparkling Wine Sidekick: Pair this rich spread with a chilled dry prosecco or crisp sauvignon blanc, whose bright acidity cuts through the cream cheese's richness and complements the roasted garlic's depth.
  • Explore Fresh Vegetable Dippers: Create a vibrant platter with raw rainbow carrots, cucumber spears, and multicolored bell pepper strips that provide fresh, crisp textures and clean flavors against the smooth garlic cream cheese.

How to Store Garlic Cream Cheese Properly

Transfer the garlic cream cheese to an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness for up to 7 days.

Pack the cream cheese in a freezer-safe container, leaving 12 inch of headspace, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.

Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften naturally. Stir gently to restore smooth consistency before serving.

If the cream cheese seems dry after storage, fold in a small amount of olive oil or milk to restore its creamy texture and enhance its original garlic-infused taste.

FAQs

  • What is confit garlic?

Confit garlic is a cooking technique where garlic cloves are slowly cooked in olive oil at a low temperature, resulting in soft, mellow, and deeply caramelized garlic with a rich, sweet flavor.

  • Why roast garlic at such a low temperature?

Slow roasting at 250°F prevents burning and allows the garlic to become tender and golden without turning bitter, creating a smooth, creamy texture and intensifying its natural sweetness.

  • Can I use regular raw garlic instead of confit garlic?

No, raw garlic has a sharp, pungent taste. Confit garlic offers a milder, sweeter flavor that blends seamlessly into cream cheese, creating a more complex and smooth taste profile.

Reasons to Love Confit Garlic Cream Cheese

  • Unlock Incredible Flavor: Transform ordinary cream cheese into a gourmet spread bursting with rich, mellow roasted garlic that delivers a sophisticated taste experience.
  • Master Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the confit garlic in advance and store it, giving you a versatile ingredient that elevates multiple dishes with minimal extra effort.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Enjoy this creamy spread as a decadent sandwich topping, delicious bagel companion, or crowd-pleasing party dip that impresses everyone from family to guests.
  • Simple Culinary Technique: Learn a professional cooking method that sounds fancy but requires basic kitchen skills, making you feel like a confident home chef without complicated steps.

What’s Inside Confit Garlic Cream Cheese

For the Main Ingredients:
  • Garlic Cloves: Fresh cloves that will be slowly roasted to develop a rich, mellow flavor and creamy texture.
  • Cream Cheese: A smooth, tangy base that will be transformed by the roasted garlic into a delicious spread.
For the Cooking Liquid:
  • Olive Oil: A high-quality oil that will gently cook and preserve the garlic, adding depth and richness to the confit.
For the Optional Serving Suggestions:
  • Bagels, Sandwiches, Crackers: Delicious vehicles for showcasing the creamy, aromatic garlic cream cheese spread.

How to Make Confit Garlic Cream Cheese

How to Make Confit Garlic Cream Cheese

Step 1: Roast Fragrant Garlic Cloves

Preheat your oven to a gentle 250°F (120°C). Take peeled garlic cloves and place them in a baking dish with a tight-fitting lid.

Generously pour olive oil over the cloves, making sure they are completely submerged. Add more oil if needed to cover them completely.

Seal the dish with its lid and let the garlic slowly roast for about 2 hours until the cloves become tender and develop a beautiful golden color.

Step 2: Cool and Prepare Garlic

Allow the roasted garlic and infused oil to cool down to room temperature.

Carefully measure out 1/3 cup of the soft, golden garlic cloves for your cream cheese mixture. Store the remaining garlic and aromatic oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Step 3: Create Creamy Garlic Spread

Combine the reserved roasted garlic cloves with cream cheese in a food processor or stand mixer. Blend on low speed for approximately 1 minute until the mixture becomes smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Enjoy and Preserve

Spread this luxurious garlic cream cheese on freshly toasted bagels, create gourmet sandwiches, or use as a delightful dip for vegetables and crackers. Keep any leftover spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay delicious for up to 1 week.

Useful Tips for Garlic Cream Cheese Spread

  • Use low temperature to gently cook garlic, preventing burning and developing rich, sweet, mellow taste without bitterness.
  • After roasting, drain garlic carefully to control oil content and prevent greasiness in the final cream cheese spread.
  • Select fresh, plump garlic cloves and full-fat cream cheese for maximum flavor and smooth, creamy texture.
  • Allow garlic and cream cheese to reach room temperature before blending to ensure seamless integration and optimal consistency.
  • Store confit garlic and cream cheese in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent flavor degradation in the refrigerator.
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Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe

Confit Garlic Cream Cheese Recipe


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4.5 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Creamy Confit Garlic Cream Cheese promises a luxurious journey through rich French culinary traditions. Mediterranean warmth and silky textures blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delectable spread on fresh bread or crackers.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3 heads garlic, peeled

Cooking Liquid:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil (add more if needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to a gentle 250°F (120°C), creating a low-temperature environment for transforming raw garlic into meltingly soft confit.
  2. Select whole garlic cloves and nestle them into a deep baking dish, completely submerging the cloves in olive oil to ensure even, slow cooking.
  3. Cover the dish securely and allow the garlic to slowly roast for approximately 2 hours, developing a rich, caramelized golden hue and velvety texture.
  4. Remove the baking dish from the oven and permit the garlic and infused oil to cool naturally to room temperature, preserving the delicate flavors.
  5. Carefully measure out one-third cup of the roasted garlic cloves for the cream cheese preparation, storing the remaining garlic and aromatic oil in a sealed container for future culinary adventures.
  6. Transfer the selected roasted garlic cloves into a food processor or stand mixer, combining them with cream cheese for a smooth, uniform blend.
  7. Process the mixture on low speed for roughly one minute, ensuring the garlic integrates completely and creates a luxuriously creamy spread.
  8. Serve the garlic-infused cream cheese as a versatile condiment on bagels, sandwiches, or as an elegant dip for vegetables and crackers.
  9. Refrigerate any remaining cream cheese in an airtight container, which will maintain its quality for up to one week.

Notes

  • Slow roasting transforms harsh garlic into silky, mellow flavor bombs with incredible depth and sweetness.
  • Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the most luxurious confit texture and rich taste profile.
  • Experiment with different cream cheese varieties like herb-infused or low-fat options to customize the spread’s personality.
  • Leftover garlic-infused oil makes an incredible drizzle for salads, pastas, or roasted vegetables, maximizing ingredient potential.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 477
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 47 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 31 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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