
Melty, sweet heat perfection
This hot honey cheese dip is the kind of easy, addictive appetizer everyone hovers around at parties. Creamy, melty cheese meets sweet heat from hot honey, creating a bold flavor combo that feels gourmet but takes almost no effort. It’s perfect for game days, holiday spreads, or last-minute get-togethers when you need something fast and impressive. Serve it warm with crackers, crostini, or veggies, and watch it disappear scoop by scoop. If you love sweet-and-spicy snacks, this dip is about to become a repeat favorite.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 6–8
📝 Ingredients List
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
- Extra red pepper flakes
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or sturdy spoon
- Small baking dish or oven-safe skillet
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat the oven 🔥
Set oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready to go. - Mix the base 🥣
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth and evenly combined. - Add the hot honey 🍯
Fold in 2 tablespoons hot honey, tasting and adjusting if you want more heat or sweetness. - Bake until bubbly ✨
Transfer mixture to a baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until hot, melty, and lightly golden around the edges. - Finish & serve 🧀
Drizzle generously with more hot honey and sprinkle with herbs if using. Serve warm.
💡 Pro Tips
- Make it extra creamy: Add 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream or sour cream.
- No oven? Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring often.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for depth.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat slowly to keep it smooth.