Last weekend we showed up for an Easter brunch with a dozen bagels and a tub Panera Bread's honey walnut cream cheese spread. Among the comments heard while eating the bagels and cream cheese were:
I could eat this all day.
I can't believe I've never had this cream cheese before!
I haven't had this in so long. I'd forgotten how good it is!
I absolutely love Panera's Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Spread, and I've been desperate to recreate it since last weekend. In addition to being spread on bagels, I think it would make a fantastic fruit dip! Here's a fabulous copycat recipe that really tastes just like the real thing!
Recipe for Panera Bread's Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Spread
- 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese,softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla; try clear vanilla extract to keep the white cream cheese from looking dingy.
- Dash cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons crushed walnuts
Directions:
Combine cream cheese, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a food processor blend until smooth. You can also toss it all in a bowl and whip it with a hand blender until fluffy. Stir in the walnuts and refrigerate until it's time to serve it.
Enjoy!
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Mellisa says
Oh My goodness! Thank you for posting this 🙂 I LOVE this cream cheese from Panera Bread, now I can make it at home!!!
Claire Watson says
The first time I made this, I thought it was a little too sweet and soupy. The next time I reduced the amounts of all but the cream cheese and walnuts. This tasted better, but the vanilla gives it an unappetizing grayish color. If I make it again, I may try it without the vanilla.
Kelly says
Maybe you could try the clear vanilla extract?
Marybeth Hamilton says
I bet I did use Watkins clear vanilla extract the first time I made this.