Cream Cheese Appetizers from Humble to Haute

Too often cream cheese is thought of as a breakfast spread when actually it's a super-versatile ingredient that stars in all manner of delicious appetizers. These are the recipes your next party needs.

Crepes with Smoked Fishes and Dill Cream Cheese

A lavish, totally irresistible appetizer that will wow your guests. Cream cheese goes fancy; it's dressed up with dill and served with delicate crepes and thin slices of smoked salmon and sturgeon.

Blue cheese meets cream cheese in these crunchy crowd-pleasers.

The ultimate holiday appetizer? This cheese ball recipe is elegant and festive. If you want to mix it up, switch the pecan coating for your favorite herb, seed, or nut.

Move over, jalapenos! These poppers are our latest favorite. The tangy-savory pepperoncini peppers are filled with cream cheese and topped with bacon -- one is surely not enough.

Don't be fooled by the name, these bite-size sandwiches are good anytime of the day. Serve with a dry white wine -- or Champagne!

Simple to make, creamy and spicy to eat, this cream-cheese-and-salsa dip is another winning appetizer.

On the haute side of the appetizer spectrum but easy to make -- and easy to eat -- these fancy two-bite appetizers are as pretty as they are delicious.

All hail the king of party snacks! These cream-cheese-and-cheddar-stuffed peppers are surely one of the most-loved hors d’oeuvres.

A little spicy with a touch of sweet, these crispy cups are filled with the perfect blend of cream cheese and chutney. 

Cheddar and cream cheese combine in this nut-crusted log. Pistachios add texture and eye-catching color.

One of our favorite flavor combinations: salmon, pumperknickel, and cream cheese, but not in the usual bagel sandwich. This savory "cake" is a no-cook appetizer that's sure to impress.

Simple but classic, these celery sticks are filled with spicy flavored cream cheese -- just the thing for a casual party.