Description
Whipped Parmesan & Honey Pecan Cheese Dip is a creamy, airy appetizer blending sharp Parmesan cheese with sweet honey and crunchy toasted pecans. This easy-to-make dip offers a sophisticated balance of flavors and textures, perfect for parties, casual gatherings, or elegant occasions. Its versatile nature allows it to be served as a dip, spread, or topping, guaranteed to impress guests and delight taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Base
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
Sweetener & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Crunchy Add-ins
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans (roughly chopped, plus extra for garnish)
Optional Fresh Herbs
- Chopped chives or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Pecans: Lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they are fragrant and golden brown. Set aside to cool, then roughly chop them to add crunch to the dip.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Allow cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes or microwave briefly for 10 seconds, until soft and spreadable to ensure smooth whipping.
- Whip the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, whip until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, forming a luscious, airy base.
- Add Sweetness and Seasoning: Drizzle in honey, then add garlic powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and lemon juice. Continue whipping gently to fully incorporate these flavors while maintaining the airy texture.
- Fold in the Pecans: Gently fold the toasted pecans into the whipped cheese mixture, reserving a few for garnish. This preserves the nutty crunch throughout the dip.
- Chill and Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the dip to keep its fluffy consistency before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in the dip.
- Prefer freshly grated Parmesan cheese for superior flavor and smooth whipping.
- Toast pecans carefully to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Whip the cheese mixture long enough for maximum fluffiness but avoid overwhipping to prevent oil separation.
- Adjust honey amount to taste for desired sweetness level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: whipped parmesan dip, honey pecan cheese dip, creamy cheese dip, appetizer dip, party dip, easy cheese spread, savory and sweet dip