I use good old fashioned regular - and I can add what I want to it.
For something different and easy - try beating a 4-serving size pkg. of jello in 16 oz. softened cream cheese. Cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to develop - serve with fruits, crackers and cookies.
Try squeezing some fresh lemon and orange juice into softened cream cheese and blend well; add a handful of chopped pecans.
Add this to an 8 oz. brick of softened cream cheese:
First variation:
2 ounces smoked salmon, diced
1/2 teaspoon horseradish
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
Second Variation:
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leafed parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Third variation:
1/2 cup mashed, ripe strawberries or raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons orange juice
or try adding a mashed banana, a squeeze of lemon and some chopped walnuts
add some salsa and cilantro
2 cloves garlic
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, soften
1 cup butter, soften
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
In a food processor, add garlic and process until finely chopped, stopping once to scrape down sides.
Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth, stopping twice to scrape down sides.
(You may use only 1 clove of garlic, if you prefer).
1 green onion, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/4 c. parsley leaves
4-5 basil leaves (optional)
1/4 clove garlic
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
Chop onion, parsley, basil and garlic in food processor until finely minced. Add cream cheese and blend. Serve with crackers or on bagels or toast.
1 (8 oz) jalepeno jelly (or red pepper jelly)
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
Pour jelly over cream cheese and serve with crackers. Ritz or any buttery type work well. It is definitely on the spicy side, so if you don't want too spicy, look for or make your own milder version of the jelly.
8 oz cream cheese
16 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
¼ cup powdered sugar
8 oz cool whip
Mix all ingredients together well. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve as a dip for fresh strawberries, or as a spread for crackers.
(Mama loves cream cheese!)