Thank you to the California Milk Board for sponsoring this post!
Whenever I’m entertaining friends at my house, I always make dips because they’re easy to prepare and everyone loves finger food. Having made my fair share of dips for parties, I think a good dip should have the following factors: (1) a rich texture that’s easily scoopable and (2) bold flavors. This whipped mozzarella and cheddar dip checks both of those elements. The dip uses cheeses that you can find easily in grocery stores and the toppings make the dip look irresistible!
CHEESES YOU’LL NEED
To give whipped mozzarella and cheddar dip its luscious and smooth texture, I used 3 types of cheese that are made with Real California Milk. First, fresh mozzarella has the soft texture and moisture that’ll give the dip a nice base. Sharp white cheddar brings in a deep umami flavor (the sharper the cheddar the better, in my opinion). Finally, I added cream cheese to give the dip a silky finish.
All the cheeses that I used to develop this recipe were produced in California and made with Real California Milk. As someone who was raised in California, I’m very proud of our agriculture, and I use California-produced ingredients in my cooking as much as possible. This product locator will help you find Real California Milk dairy products at a store near you!
TOPPINGS
The whipped cheese dip is tasty on its own, but I like to add more layers of flavor and textures with toppings. I enjoy a bit of tongue-tingling spice, so I drizzled some chili oil, which also adds a vibrant pop of red color to the dip. You can use store-bought chili crisp or follow along my homemade chili oil recipe. I know not everyone likes spicy foods, so feel free to substitute the chili oil with a good drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Of course, the dip will have a different flavor profile but it’ll still be delicious.
To balance out the savory flavor of the sharp cheddar, I also drizzled some honey. Next, finely diced fruits add a bit of crunchy texture and subtle sweet flavors. When developing the recipe, I used persimmons and apples. Feel free to use only one of the fruits or any other fruits you like. Finally, garnish the dip with finely sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
Whipped Mozzarella & Cheddar Dip
Ingredients
Whipped Mozzarella & Cheddar
- 1 8-ounce ball of Real California Milk fresh mozzarella
- 4 ounces Real California Milk cream cheese, at room temperature
- 5 ounces (1 1/3 cups) shredded Real California Milk sharp white cheddar
Toppings
- 3 to 4 tablespoons finely diced fruit, such as persimmons and apples
- 2 to 3 teaspoons homemade chili oil, or chili crisp (see note below)
- 2 to 3 teaspoons honey
- thinly sliced scallions
- toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Use your hands to tear the ball of mozzarella into large pieces. Place them in the bowl of a food processor. Add the cream cheese and shredded white cheddar. Blend the cheeses with the food processor, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Keep blending until you get a very smooth mixture (this can take a few minutes).
- Transfer the whipped cheese to a serving bowl. Use a spoon or small spatula to spread the cheese dip and make small waves on the surface.
- Drizzle the chili oil over the dip, followed by the honey. Sprinkle the finely diced fruit on top, along with the sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve the cheese crackers, some crusty bread, or vegetables! The dip is best eaten the day it is made.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was sponsored by Real California Milk. Use this product locator to find Real California Milk dairy products!
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