Festive Cheese Spread

Guests will love cheese spread not only for its herb and garlic flavor, but for its very festive candy cane look on your holiday table.

Makes 18 (2-tablespoon) servings.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 4 hours

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 tablespoons McCormick® Chives
2 tablespoons McCormick® Parsley Flakes
1 teaspoon McCormick® California Style Garlic Pepper with Red Bell and Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Dill Weed
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Thyme Leaves
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1. Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except red bell pepper; beat well.

2. Place piece of plastic wrap on baking sheet. Spoon cheese mixture onto plastic wrap to form a candy cane shape, log or ball. Fold up plastic wrap over cheese to encase.

3. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight or until cheese is firm.

4. Unwrap cheese mixture. Place on serving plate. Smooth entire shape with spatula or knife. Decorate with bell pepper.

per serving: Calories: 111 Fat: 11 g Carbohydrates: 1 g Cholesterol: 33 mg Sodium: 120 mg Fiber: 0 g Protein: 2 g

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Copyright © 2008 McCormick