27 Cream Cheese Recipes To Use What's in the Back of Your Fridge

We love cream cheese for its serious tang. But we're also guilty of holding onto that tub or package a bit too long. Here's what you should do with it.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens1/27Stovetop Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Serving this creamy, delicious dip in a bread bowl is not mandatory, but we highly recommended going for it.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Prop styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi2/27BA’s Best Cheesecake
Meet the absolute best cheesecake recipe. Room temperature ingredients ensure a smooth and creamy texture; take the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs out of the refrigerator about 2 hours ahead of time.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens3/27Savory Cheese-Filled Croquembouche
This croquembouche is constructed with cheesy gougères and an herbed cheese filling. It’s the showstopping holiday appetizer you didn’t know you needed.
Photo by Chelsie Craig4/27Spicy Cheddar Cheese Spread
An easy, cheesy dip you can serve this with pretzels, your favorite kind of crackers, or a platter of crudités.

Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen6/27Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Almond flour is a wonderfully sweet, nutty complement for fresh carrots, walnuts, and raisins.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou7/27Kimchi Toast
If we had to give this toast a bunch of random personality traits, we’d describe it as a rule-breaking hothead with a softer side.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Alison Attenborough8/27Spinach and Artichoke Melts
Your favorite creamy dip—but in a form you (and your kids) can happily eat for dinner.

Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susan Spungen, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski10/27Raspberry Rugelach
These bright, sweet-tart beauties are the perfect addition to the typical cookie plate.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens11/27Basque Cheesecake
This light, fluffy, cloudlike cheesecake wants to get cooked at high heat for a burnt, cracked surface that’s rich with flavor.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Pearl Jones12/27Basically Carrot Loaf Cake
The most casual-cool carrot cake of all time.
Photo by Chelsie Craig13/27Easy Sheet Cake With Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting
Meet your new favorite birthday cake.
Alex Lau14/27Black-Bottom Brownies
For the neatest, cleanest edges, freeze the brownies for 15 minutes so they’re nice and firm before cutting, and dip your knife in hot water between each slice.