We make this cheese only at Christmas time — it’s just too good to keep around the house all year long.
This is one of the “by gosh and by golly” recipes my grandfather left behind without formalizing amounts. Taste as you go; the final product should not taste of any one ingredient, and should be a pale orange in color with speckles of red from the paprika and chili powder. The beer in this case wets the cheese and aids in making the final product smooth; if your beater is having a hard time with the cheese, add more beer to get it smooth.
Papo used the Cracker Barrel brand white New York cheddar, which is commonly available at most supermarkets.
Cheese Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 16 oz parts extra sharp new york cheese (white), room temperature
- 1 tsp olive oil
Seasoning – Big Dollops
- horseradish
- beer (a pilsner or other light-bodied beer)
Seasoning – Moderate Dashes
- paprika
- chili powder
- onion salt
- garlic salt
- red hot sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
Seasoning – Conservative Pinches
- dry mustard
- cayenne
- Using a stand mixer, beat on high for a very long time until smooth.