Ever since my husband was gifted his Traeger smoker a few years ago, I’ve been on an adventurous smoking journey, experimenting like crazy and loving every second of it. There’s something about firing up that smoker that brings me a sense of inner peace—though, if I’m being honest, it might also be the fact that our grumpy downstairs neighbor absolutely despises it. Her perpetual misery makes it hard not to take a little cheeky joy in the smoky aromas wafting down to her.
But beyond the neighborly drama, our smoker has become one of my absolute favorite cooking tools. And of all the delicious creations I’ve whipped up, my Famous Smoked Cream Cheese is hands-down one of the best!
My Famous Smoked Cream Cheese is hands-down one of the simplest yet most mouthwatering things I’ve ever made on the smoker. It’s become so popular that friends and family now insist it makes an appearance at every gathering. These days, I can’t even put together a charcuterie board without someone double-checking that my smoked cheese is front and center. Honestly, I think I’ve ruined regular cream cheese for my entire family with this game-changing discovery—and now, I’m thrilled to share it with you!
Traeger smokers are true game-changers when it comes to backyard cooking. Known for their easy-to-use pellet system and precise temperature control, these smokers make it effortless to create mouthwatering, wood-fired flavors every single time. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a total beginner, Traeger’s versatility opens up endless possibilities—from perfectly smoked meats to creative dishes like smoked cream cheese. It’s no wonder that this smoker has become such a beloved tool in so many kitchens, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary, smoky masterpieces.
What You’ll Need For The Recipe
A smoker, lets face it, you can’t do this recipe without one.
1 block of cream cheese of your choice, or honestly as many as you can fit in your smoker.
Your favourite EVOO.
Everything bagel seasoning.
* Thankfully for these the type of wood you’re burning doesn’t matter, it is a totally personal choice but I can promise any you choose will be delicious.
Prepping the Cheese
Before placing your block(s) of cream cheese onto the smoker, there are a few simple steps to take. First, make sure to clean and preheat your smoker, setting it to a temperature between 200°F and 250°F—no higher. Once the smoker is ready, place your cream cheese block on a pan and score the top in a diagonal, crisscross pattern. Next, brush a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) over each block. Finally, sprinkle a hearty coating of everything bagel seasoning over the top to create that irresistible flavor.
Cooking Method
Once your smoker is prepped and your cream cheese blocks are ready, it’s time to get smoking! Place the cream cheese on your smoker and let it go low and slow for at least 2 hours. When it’s finished, you can serve it warm or cold—it’s equally delicious either way.
I know what you’re thinking: it sounds way too easy, right? Well, you’re absolutely right. It’s almost unfair how simple it is to have life-changing cheese on hand at all times. I can’t overstate how incredible this is for brunch, especially when paired with salmon lox, capers, red onions, bagels, and fresh dill. It’s hands-down one of the best things you’ll ever make, and it also makes the perfect host gift for any holiday party.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how much you enjoyed it. I never get tired of hearing how much people love my ridiculously easy, ridiculously delicious smoked cream cheese!