Ready to try something a little different for dessert? This smoked cream cheese dessert is one of my favorite Fall recipes to make on the smoker! And I’m serving it up two ways so whether you’re team apple or team pumpkin, you won’t have to choose! This recipe brings cozy flavors and smoky charm together in one simple dish.

You know I love turning the smoker into a dessert machine. These smoked dessert recipes feel fancy but are surprisingly easy to pull off. Just a few ingredients, a bit of patience, and you’re rewarded with something creamy, smoky, and downright delicious to dip your crackers into.

Why I love these Smoked Cream Cheese recipes

Loaded with Fall flavors
Perfect Traeger dessert for Thanksgiving or the holidays
Two flavors to please your guests presences (I liked the apple one better)
Easy to make!

A few week back we had a fire, trimmed some of our apple trees, and had the perfect Fall day with some good food on the smoker. Well, I knew I had to come up with something new this season. These dessert style smoked cream cheese recipes are fun, delicious, and simple! I shared with the neighbors and some co-workers and everyone had their own favorite flavor. I found the apple spread and pumpkin spread at Aldi, but any apple or pumpkin butter will do!

Ingredients Needed for this Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe

🍎 Cream Cheese – I used an 8 oz block for each version. Just unwrap and score before seasoning.

🍎 Sugar – Just a tablespoon is enough to add a little sweetness to the smoked cream cheese.

🍎 Apple Pie Spice – For the apple butter version. Adds warm, cozy fall flavors.

🍎 Pumpkin Pie Spice – For the pumpkin butter version. Perfect for those pumpkin spice cravings!

🍎 Apple Butter / Apple Spread – A few spoonfuls on top after smoking makes this one taste like apple pie in dip form.

🍎 Pumpkin Butter / Pumpkin Spread – Sweet and spiced, it’s amazing paired with smoky cream cheese.

🍎 Cinnamon or Regular Graham Crackers – I used these for the apple butter version, but you could also serve with vanilla wafers.

🍎 Vanilla Wafers – Classic with pumpkin butter, but tasty with apple butter too!

How to Make Smoked Cream Cheese

Step 1: Prep the cream cheese
Go ahead and unwrap your cream cheese blocks and place them in a baking dish (makes serving easy) or a disposable aluminum pan if that’s what you have. Take a sharp knife and score the top in an “X” pattern — this helps the sugar and spices soak in a bit while it smokes.

Step 2: Mix and season
In a small bowl, stir together your sugar and either apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice, depending on which version you’re making. Sprinkle it right over the cream cheese and use your hands to rub it in along the tops and sides. Don’t skip this — it gives you that sweet, spiced crust after smoking.

how to make desserts cream cheese 2 ways

Step 3: Smoke it low and slow
Set your smoker to 200°F and let the cream cheese do its thing for about an hour and a half. You’ll see the edges start to get golden and a little cracked on top — that’s when you know it’s ready.

Step 4: Finish and serve
Take it off the smoker and add a couple spoonfuls of apple butter or pumpkin butter right on top. Grab some graham crackers or vanilla wafers and dive right in. It’s creamy, smoky, sweet, and honestly one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make on the smoker.

dessert smoked cream cheese with graham crackers from above

Additions & Substitutions to these Smoked Cream Cheese recipes

Not into apple or pumpkin butter? Try topping it with cranberry sauce or even a berry jam for a different kind of sweet-and-smoky combo.
Want to keep it simple? Drizzle honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon over the smoked cream cheese instead of using a fruit spread.
If you don’t have graham crackers or vanilla wafers, sliced apples, pears, or even pretzels make great dippers.
And if you really want to go all out — swirl a little caramel sauce over the top before serving. Trust me, it’s amazing.

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