Copycat Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Cream Cheese is a homemade, gluten free version of the new, fall-spiced cream cheese treat. This recipe is super simple, comes together in minutes and will rock your breakfast socks off. Now you can enjoy the TJ treat without needing a TJ (and did I mention it has way less sugar too?).
So, I grew up in one of those neighborhoods where people have block parties. Is this normal? I feel like it is (clearly).
I loved that all of the kids and parents would get together in a cul-de-sac, eat, goof off (parents drinking, kids riding bikes too fast down driveways), and really become great friends. I knew all of the kids in the neighborhood and my parents always had someone to talk to. I became the neighborhood babysitter as I got older and my mom maintained friendships with the ladies through their lunch club. I loved it.
I’m feeling very nostalgic, not only because I’m about to have my first child, but because I finally live in a neighborhood again, which reminds me of where I grew up…
Except I can’t get everyone to get together!
One of my neighbors and I were texting about block parties and missing those days, and I figured everyone else was feeling the same! I had fliers printed out, I devised a cheap/easy dinner for everyone and set a date. All I needed was RSVPs. I could practically picture the friendships that would tumble out of this.
Crickets.
Yup, out of 60 houses, I had 3 RSVPs. THREE. TRES!
Wow.
Anyways, there’s no real punch line here, just embarrassment. I seriously tucked my tail and ran (I cancelled).
So, I ended up, instead tucking myself into making comfort food. Fall spiced treats!
I saw this Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Cream Cheese on Instagram and fell in love. I used to down some cookie butter. But, because it’s not gluten free, I wasn’t tempted to buy it on my last TJ run. I was way more tempted to make my own, without the actual cookies in it.
This is my Copycat version, or what I imagine it SHOULD taste like. I had a friend explain the taste to me (since she did buy the tub) and what she wished it would be, and I went from that.
What I ended up with was a deliciously sweet, fall-spiced spread! You can dip apples in it, spread it on waffles or bagels, dip grahams in it…eat it with a spoon.
There is very little sugar in this recipe. In fact, there’s only some molasses and a pinch of brown sugar. You can leave the brown sugar out, but I like the tiny bit of sugary crunch you get when you stir it in last. And the spices are really amazing. I feel like I amped them up, compared to the original version, but why go small when you can go big and really enjoy the taste of fall?! Exactly.
Ok, enough of my rambling! Hope you try it and love it!
- 8 ounces cream cheese (I used lite)
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. allspice
- ¾ tsp. ginger
- 1/8 tsp. cloves
- 1 Tbs. molasses
- 1 tsp. brown sugar
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, all of the spices and the molasses (everything but the brown sugar). Mix with a hand mixer until completely combined. Use a spatula to fold in the brown sugar.
- Transfer the cream cheese to a jar with a lid. Use as you please, enjoy!
Ohh I’m sorry about your block party! Those neighbors should be more social; I love a good block party. My neighborhood in Chicago holds one every summer.
I love that you re-made this fall treat – I LOVE cookie butter (but I can’t keep it in the house because my spoon would be in the jar every night). Ha.
Chicago Jogger recently posted…Healthy Mini Pumpkin Pies
I’d totally be at your block party 🙂 People are so overscheduled these days, it makes me yawn, LOL. LOVE the yummy treat 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Buffalo Chicken Tacos
I love that you tried to have a block party! I love them! You should come be my neighbor and we would throw one together no one could resist 🙂 Especially with that cookie butter–yum!!!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Overnight Peanut Butter Banana Pudding Oatmeal {Vegan, Gluten-Free}
Cookie butter cream cheese!? Amazing
I had no idea that this was something that existed! Where have I been?! I love the idea of a homemad version, though.
Cindy recently posted…Molasses Scones with Candied Ginger and Pecans
Cue the tears because I’ve never EVER had cookie butter. That will change this weekend 🙂
Beth recently posted…Football Pudding Cups
Sounds really good, maybe just eat by the spoonful 🙂
Jennifer FIsher recently posted…Fall Veggie Chick’n Curry in a Hurry! #OMGardein