Pineapple Cream Cheese

Pineapple cream cheese is a coming together of delicious flavors and textures—sweet, tangy, creamy and even a touch salty. It’s such a lovely way to dress up a plain block of cream cheese.

This cream cheese and pineapple spread comes together in just five minutes, not including the required chill time in the fridge. As a result, it’s the perfect potluck appetizer or quick app when you find out last-minute company is on the way.

Ingredients for Pineapple Cream Cheese

• Cream cheese: Made by curdling pasteurized milk, cream cheese is a fresh cheese spread used in recipes like traditional cheesecake. This recipe calls for fat-free cream cheese, but really, any variety you like will do.
• Pineapple: For ease and convenience, we recommend using canned, crushed pineapple. That said, if you have fresh pineapple on hand, read up on how to cut a pineapple and use fresh instead.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients and chill

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In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and drained pineapple. Place the pineapple cream cheese in the fridge to chill before serving.

Editor’s Tip: Instead of discarding it, use the pineapple juice to make any number of pineapple recipes.

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Pineapple Cream Cheese Variations

• Use grilled pineapple: Sweet and a little smoky, grilled pineapple would make a delicious variation on this recipe. Or take things a step further and add chili-lime grilled pineapple for a Latin-inspired cheese spread.
• Mix-in different fruits and cheeses: Mango pairs wonderfully with pineapple, so why not toss some into this spread? Other options include passionfruit, kiwi or coconut (okay, that last one isn’t a fruit). In terms of cheese, you can fold in ricotta, mascarpone or another cream cheese substitute.

How to Store Pineapple Cream Cheese

To store pineapple cream cheese, place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to seven days. Make sure you place it in the cavity of the fridge, where it’s cooler, avoiding the shelves on the door.

Can I freeze pineapple cream cheese spread?

To freeze this recipe, place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to two months. To thaw it out, place the container in the fridge overnight.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Tips

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What can you use pineapple cream cheese dip for?

Of course, you can spread it on a bagel just like any other cream cheese, but this isn’t your only option. It’s also delicious served as a dip alongside graham crackers or vanilla wafers, or spread on a ham sandwich for Hawaiian pizza vibes.

What other fruit goes well with cream cheese?

The creamy texture and pleasantly tart flavor of cream cheese combines well with a number of fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, apples, grapes, peaches and more.

Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of brick cream cheese?

Yes, whipped cream cheese also works here, but it will lose some of its fluffiness in the process. This is because the pineapple adds both more weight and water, effectively making the spread more dense.