Liptauer Cheese Spread

Liptauer Cheese Spread is creamy, cheesy, smoky, tangy and pungent – all at the same time!

I first discovered amazingly delicious Liptauer Cheese at an Austrian “Heuriger” back when I spent the fall semester of my junior year studying at the Institute for European Studies (IES) in Vienna, Austria. Shortly after we all arrived in country, our teachers treated us to an evening at a Heuriger – an Austrian country tavern where winemakers introduce their new wines. Liptauer Cheese is one of the many traditional foods served in the taverns. When we sat down to taste the wine, there were bowlfuls of this orange-y colored, creamy spread on the table, with bread slices and crackers alongside.

Just by its appearance, I was intrigued, so I dug in. Instantly, I was hooked! My taste buds were dancing; I had never tasted anything quite the same. And growing up in the Clayton household, I had been exposed to lots and lots of different foods. This spread was different. Creamy, cheesy, smoky, tangy, pungent, all at the same time. I’ve loved it ever since.

After years of experimenting, I finally found the right mix and balance of ingredients in my own version of Liptauer Cheese. Plus, my version calls only for readily available ingredients – making it easier for you to recreate it in your kitchen. With a mixture of cream cheese, goat cheese, butter and sour cream as the base, I mix in the traditional Liptauer ingredients of capers, onion and paprika. Then, I also add in anchovy, dry mustard and caraway seeds – and a bit of beer. Yum!

Serve my Liptauer Cheese Spread with Raincoast Crisps (any flavor with fig), multigrain crackers, pretzel crisps and/or celery.

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Liptauer Cheese Spread

Liptauer Cheese Spread is creamy, cheesy, smoky, tangy and pungent – all at the same time! Easy to prepare with readily available ingredients, this delicious spread is served with crackers, pretzel chips and/or celery sticks.

• Author: (By Lee Clayton Roper)
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups; can easily be doubled 1x
• Category: appetizers, make ahead

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 1/2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon beer
• 1 1/2 heaping teaspoons grated onion
• 1 large anchovy, coarsely chopped (or 3/4 teaspoon anchovy paste)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika, preferably Hungarian
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
• Raincoast Crisps, pretzel chips, multigrain crackers, celery sticks – for serving

Instructions

1. Combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, butter and sour cream in the bowl of a food processor. Process just until combined.
2. Add the capers, beer, onion, anchovy, paprika and dry mustard and process until combined. Stir in caraway seeds. Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
3. Pack in to a crock, mold, or serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or longer), allowing the flavors to blend. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Make ahead: spread can be prepared up to 3 days ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Gluten free: serve with gluten free crackers and celery sticks.