Spicy Lemon Cream Cheese Board with Hot Honey and Almonds

This creamy, tangy and slightly spicy cream cheese board is a modern take on the viral butter board trend. It combines rich cream cheese with fresh lemon zest, then gets drizzled with Mike’s Hot Honey and red pepper jam for a sweet-heat kick. Crunchy almonds add texture, while a squeeze of lemon brightens every bite.

Perfect for parties or a quick snack, this board comes together in minutes and pairs beautifully with sliced bagels, crusty bread or fresh fruit. It’s an effortless way to impress guests without turning on the oven.

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Ingredients

8 ounce Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Red Pepper JamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.75 ounce Mike’s Hot Honey®View ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce AlmondsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the lemon. Zest the lemon and cut it into quarters. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and lemon zest. Season lightly with salt and pepper and stir until well mixed.
2. In another small bowl, stir together the red pepper jam and a squeeze of lemon juice from one of the wedges.
3. Place a small dollop (about 1½ teaspoons) of the cream cheese mixture in one corner of a serving board. Using the back of a spoon, gently press the dollop in the center and swipe to one side to create a small swoop. Repeat with additional dollops, building an overlapping wave-like pattern across the board.
4. Drizzle the cream cheese with the red pepper jam mixture and the hot honey. Sprinkle the almonds evenly over the top. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side and an extra squeeze of lemon juice to taste.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I make this cream cheese board ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese mixture and the red pepper jam mixture up to a day in advance. Assemble and drizzle just before serving for the best texture.

What can I serve with this cream cheese board?

This board pairs well with sliced bagels, crusty bread, crackers, apple slices or celery sticks. It’s also great with grilled meats or as a dip for vegetables.

Is Mike's Hot Honey very spicy?

Mike’s Hot Honey has a mild heat that balances with the sweetness. If you prefer less spice, use regular honey and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.