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Smoky-Sweet Bacon Cheese Spread

Created by Engrossed on April 8, 2013

8 ounces neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese)
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, adjust to taste
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper, adjust to taste (smoked chile)
1/4 cup bacon, crumbled (I used Hormel real crumbled bacon bits)

Step 1: In a small bowl, cream together neufchatel and feta, scraping the bowl until well combined.
Step 2: Beat in chili powder and ground chipotle powder and adjust to taste.
Step 3: Scrape bowl and beat in bacon, olives, cranberries, and dates until well combined.
Step 4: Stir in last 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
Step 5: Put in a covered container and chill for at least 2 hours. The flavors will develop more the longer it sits. You can mold it by pressing plastic wrap into a bowl and pressing the spread into it, cover and chill, then turn out onto serving platter.
Step 6: To serve, spread into a pretty bowl on a platter or mound on a platter. Sprinkle with feta, chili powder and fresh chopped parsley. Surround with desired foods.
Step 7: For Tortilla Wheels, Spread this on flour tortillas, roll them up and tightly wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for a few hours until firm. Unwrap them, trim away ends and cut each roll into 8 slices crosswise to make wheels. You could try baking them too! I would try 400°F Place wheels on baking sheets and bake 15-20 minutes until browned.
Step 8: For stuffed mushrooms, hollow out mushrooms, you can add some chopped stems to the spread. Fill mushrooms with spread and bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes.