Love My Philly

“Anybody want a mint?” They may not need one but they’ll want one when they find out they’re made with the one and only Philadelphia Cream Cheese. What better way to freshen your breath than with the rich creamy taste of Philly. Kill bad breath and reward your taste buds. Two birds, one stone. Go ahead and try this recipe at your next dinner party. Serve them as after dinner mints and I’m sure they’ll go over BIG.

Cream Cheese Mints

1/2 package Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 drops peppermint oil
any color food coloring paste (optional)

MIX Philadelphia Cream Cheese, butter, and confectioner’s sugar in large bowl. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring, or leave white.

MAKE into the shape of your choice and place onto cookie tray. Sprinkle on sugar.

CHILL for 3 hours.

Simple and very tasty. Delectable when served with grilled cheese sandwich!

1  can  (10-3/4 oz.)  condensed tomato soup
1 soup can water
3 oz. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed

HEAT soup on top of stove as directed on label with water.
WHISK in cream cheese until completely melted. Sprinkle with black pepper, if desired.

This recipe can also be made with instant brown rice and Philly Chive & Onion Light Cream Cheese Spread. You may have to leave it in the oven 15 minutes longer than the recipe called for.

Is there really anything that beats the smell and taste of fresh homemade cookies? One of my favorite things in the whole world is to open the door to my home and be overwhelmed by the decadent smell of cookies baking. My dad used to bake them, and now my husband does. I confess that I’m a very lucky girl, having always had someone to bake for me. Now I can repay the favor with some help from Philadelphia cream cheese. Check out some of these amazing recipes, and bake some for someone special.

Ginger-Cream Meringue Sandwich Cookies- Sugar and Spice and everything nice! The perfect way to describe these old fashioned cookies. They do require a little more work, but are totally worth it. The ginger filling gives it a unique and sophisticated flavor, great for entertaining!

S’mores Sandwich cookies- Set-up camp right at home, and indulge in a campfire classic, with a twist. These cookies are a little time consuming but totally worth it. Make an event out of it, and bake them with your kids or girlfriends. Let the cookies cool a bit before you put the marshmallow fluff on too, otherwise they will melt rather quickly. If transporting try, placing them in a cooler, so they stay fresh and won’t melt so quickly.
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Nothing says loving like a belly fully of potatoes. Show yourself and your loved ones a little tender loving care, with some of these amazing potato recipes using Philly cream cheese of course! Here are the top five picks:

1. Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes - Add some fresh chopped white onion and chives from to really make that Philadelphia chive and onion cream cheese pop. The tanginess and the creamy texture of the potatoes are savory and succulent. These potatoes are an especially good pairing for a fish dinner, like a halibut steak.

2. Mini New Potato Bites - Serve those hot or cold at your next gathering, or even serve this as a side dish to a steak or bbq ribs dinner. Great for outdoor dinners and barbeques. Garnish with crumbled bacon and chives. Or take it a step further and mix some horseradish or blue cheese into your cream cheese/sour cream mixture for a grown-up bite.

3. Oat-Topped Sweet Potato Crisp - This is a great dish for holidays and those long winter months. It leaves you feeling warm and comfortable after a cold fall day, but it’s also great for those summer pot-lucks. Its

4. Grey Poupon Scalloped Potatoes- A great dish that is prepared in just over an hour. Top it with some sharp cheddar cheese and bacon pieces for a more filling meal. Or add some extra Dijon mustard for added flavor.

5. Easy Sheppard’s Pie - In just about 30 minutes you can have this decadent and mouth-watering Sheppard’s pie on the dinner table. Filled with ground beef and mixed vegetables and topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. The kids will love this, and it’s great for leftovers for up to three days!

For added color and flavor, substitute a sweet potato for one of the red potatoes. For a lower fat version, prepare as directed using Philly Neufchatel Cheese, Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping and Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers.

The perfect party food. Prepare as directed, using Triscuit Rosemary & Olive Oil Crackers. The spread can be mixed up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake as directed. Uncover spread before baking.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup chopped cooked shrimp (1/2 lb.)
1/4 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
TRISCUIT Crackers

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients except crackers.

SPOON into 1-1/2- to 2-cup ovenproof casserole dish.

BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until heated through. Serve as a spread with the crackers.

Some of my fondest memories of growing up involve cooking with my dad in the kitchen. My dad is an amazing cook, and he always had a way of making it fun and entertaining for my sister and me. When I found these great kid friendly recipes from Philly, I was immediately reminded of those wonderful times in the kitchen with dad and sis. Try some of them out with your kids, and watch how much fun they have!

Sandwich Puzzle- This is a cute and fun idea that kids will enjoy. Start with a regular sandwich of cream cheese, and your child favorite jam. Then let you little one pick out any shape cookie cutter they like, and help them press down into the sandwich to make a fun and not so ordinary shaped sandwich. You could use a star, heart, or get creative and use letter shaped cutters!

Checkerboard Turkey Sandwich-This is especially fun and easy for the kids. Take two different
pieces of bread (one white and one wheat
slice), and spread the wheat side with the cream cheese lunch meat and
vegetable, and top the other side with the white bread slice. Cut sandwich so
there are nine square pieces, and let your kids play with their food!

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Baked Triple Veggie Dip

A new take in a classic, this dip is filled with veggies and then popped into the oven to create an ooey gooey masterpiece.

Garlic and Herb Dip

A medley of flavors come together to create this dip. Pair it with seasonal veggies and enjoy.

Creamy Ranch Dip

Ranch goes with everything, which makes it the ideal partner for Philly. Team them up to make your vegetables even more savory.

Garden Vegetable Dip

Sometimes you have to go with what’s tried and true. This dip is perfect every time for every occasion.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Garlic Dip

Sun-dried tomatoes make me think of Tuscan summers. Add some Philly to the mix and things can only get better.