Happy Holiday Pub Cheese

The holiday season at our house is incredibly chaotic and we wouldn’t have it any other way! With friends and neighbors dropping in for impromptu parties, it is imperative to have quick go-to noshes for guests to nibble. In these instances, it is easy to follow the examples of restaurants and bars by putting out nuts, popcorn, chips and dip. Unfortunately, most dip options are the same-old-same-old recipes that have been offered many times in the past.

So taking a custom from British taverns, this year we’ve opted for a traditional pub cheese; a cheese spread commonly set out in ramekins alongside some “crisps” on the bar for thirsty patrons to encourage them to stay longer. It is a spicy, creamy concoction that goes well with chips, crackers or crudités, and even makes an amazing addition to a hamburger.

The best thing about this cheese blend is that it improves with age, thus making it in advance is not only an option, but a recommendation. Using pre-shredded cheddar cheese from Kraft simplifies this recipe markedly, so that it is fabulously easy to prepare, and Kraft is making it easy to save money this holiday season by offering $20 in coupons available at Target.com.

• 1 (8 oz.) package of Kraft Sharp Cheddar
• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (Philadelphia brand)
• 1/3 cup stout
• 3 teaspoons dry mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Place the spread in a serving bowl or crock, cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Do not worry if the spread seems a little loose as it will thicken a bit as it rests in the refrigerator. Sprinkle with a little more paprika or freshly chopped chives and serve with crackers and crudités.

From shopping for gifts to planning family dinners, it’s hard to keep up with all your holiday to-do’s. This year, Kraft is helping out with great weeknight meals and entertaining ideas to make the season a little bit easier. Plus, Kraft is offering up to $20 in coupons, redeemable exclusively at Target, to make food shopping easier and to help you have a happy holiday season.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kraft. The opinions and text are all mine.