Cheesy Garlic Spread

I bake a lot of bread, and this is my favorite spread for warm bread. It’s inspired by the spread that was served at the Florentine Pasta Shop and Restaurant, that I loved as a teenager and young adult. It’s also a great way to use up extra cream cheese, you might have laying about.

Cheesy Garlic Spread

• 1 lb. cream cheese
• 1/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated fine
• 2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne, or less if yours is especially fresh

Warm the cream cheese, I use the microwave. Generally, I heat it for 30 seconds, stir and check temperature, and continue this until it is warm.

Then add the cheddar, gradually, reheating as it cools. You are trying to melt the cheddar evenly into the cream cheese, doing it gradually reduces the chance of lumps.

When all the cheddar is incorporated, season with the garlic salt and cayenne. I should preface this with saying, I like salt, and so does my family. If you don’t, adjust the seasonings accordingly. Above all, taste, taste, taste. Never make an entire recipe without tasting along the way.