Description
This quick appetizer captures all the bright, fresh flavors of a classic Caprese salad in a creamy, scoopable form that’s perfect for any gathering. Ready in just 5 minutes with no cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened – This creates the creamy, luxurious base. For a lighter version, Neufchâtel cheese works beautifully.
- 1/2 cup sour cream – Adds tang and helps achieve the perfect dippable consistency. Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you prefer.
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls – Or you can chop a fresh mozzarella ball into small, bite-sized pieces.
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered – Their sweet, juicy burst is essential. If you have a different variety of fresh tomato, that works too.
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (chiffonade) – Do not use dried basil here; the fresh herb is non-negotiable for that authentic Caprese flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – For a subtle, aromatic kick.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – This blend ties all the Italian appetizer flavors together.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze, for drizzling – This is for serving and adds a sweet, tangy finish that makes the dip irresistible.
Instructions
- Combine the Base. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Using a spatula or hand mixer, beat them together until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. A pro tip: make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature to avoid any lumps.
- Fold in the Goodies. Add the fresh mozzarella pearls, quartered tomatoes, sliced basil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the creamy base. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the integrity of the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Serve Immediately. Transfer the dip to your favorite serving bowl. Just before serving, drizzle the top generously with the balsamic glaze. The contrast of the dark glaze against the red and white dip is stunning.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tomatoes will release some water, so you may need to give it a quick stir before serving again. Do not freeze this dip as the dairy base can become grainy and the fresh tomatoes will turn mushy upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg