Recipes with cream cheese

Pineapple-apricot empanaditas: flaky cream cheese pastry folded around a fresh pineapple-apricot jam spiked with Triple Sec, baked golden and sugar-dusted. Sweet little hand pies for any party.

Creepy-crawly edible hornworms made from cucumber strips, cream cheese, and string cheese, served in hollowed-out tomatoes. A no-cook Halloween snack kids can help make.

Rich 'n' creamy brownie bars: fudgy pecan brownies topped with a cheesecake-style cream cheese layer. The best of both desserts, sliced into 48 potluck-ready bars.

Chocolate cherry cheesecake with a cherry liqueur-spiked filling, chocolate wafer crust, and glossy cherry pie filling on top. Melted chocolate chips and heavy cream create a silky, truffle-like texture. A make-ahead showpiece that needs 24 hours to set.

Raisin cream cheese spread with chutney, ginger, and sherry stirred into whipped cream cheese. A sweet-savory appetizer spread for crackers, bagels, or tea sandwiches.

When spring arrives, prepare this cake that will have you wishing you baked another one!

Peanut pudding cake with four layers: peanut shortbread crust, peanut butter cream cheese, chocolate-vanilla pudding, and whipped topping with crumbled chocolate bars. A crowd-pleasing potluck dessert.

Two-ingredient cream cheese icing sweetened with maple syrup and blended smooth. No powdered sugar needed. Ready in 10 minutes and pairs with carrot cake, banana bread, and more.

Grilled beef tenderloin steaks crowned with a creamy herb and garlic cheese sauce loaded with mushrooms. Steakhouse-quality dinner for four ready in 45 minutes.

Pumpkin walnut cream cheesecake with a toasted walnut crust, spiced pumpkin filling, and a brown sugar walnut praline topping. A holiday-worthy dessert that splits the difference between cheesecake and pumpkin pie.

Marble squares swirl cream cheese filling through a tender chocolate sheet cake batter, topped with chocolate chips. Makes a big jelly-roll pan for a crowd, baked in 30 minutes.

A creamy Cajun appetizer mold blending catfish and crawfish with cream cheese, white wine, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. No cooking required. Just chill overnight and serve with crackers.

Two-ingredient dip: equal parts cream cheese and Dijon mustard blended until smooth. Sharp, creamy, and ready in 5 minutes flat. Spread on crackers or dip with veggies.

Marbled chocolate cheesecake squares on a fudge cake crust, topped with glossy cherry pie filling. A semi-homemade shortcut that makes 48 rich, creamy bars from one box of fudge marble cake mix.

English muffin with ham, tomato, and basil pesto baked under a garlic cream cheese topping. An open-face brunch bite with crisped edges and a fresh homemade pesto drizzle.

Creamy chocolate peanut butter dip with cream cheese and a hint of cinnamon. Ready in 5 minutes flat. Serve with fruit, pretzels, or cookies for dipping.