German Obatzda (Bavarian Cheese Dip)

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This is a creamy version of Obatzda, the Bavarian cheese spread, made with cream cheese for an easy-to-scoop dip.

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: German

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 224kcal

Prepare the ingredients: Finely chop the red onion and cut the Camembert into small pieces. If using caraway seeds, lightly crush them with a mortar and pestle.
1 small red onion; ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
Mash the cheese: Put the Camembert, red onion, and caraway seeds in a mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese and butter. Mash with a fork until combined but still a little chunky; don’t mash it into a smooth paste.
9 oz Camembert + onion + caraway seeds + ⅔ cup full-fat cream cheese + 3½ tablespoons butter
Season: Stir in the paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
2 teaspoons sweet paprika + ½ teaspoon fine sea salt + ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Serve Obatzda: Spoon into a serving bowl and serve with pretzels, sliced radishes, white radish, and red onion rings.
pretzels, thinly sliced white radish, radishes, and red onion rings

Cream cheese: I use soft cream cheese from a tub. If you use American block cream cheese, let it soften at room temperature. If the dip still feels too firm, mix in a little cream or milk until it’s easy to scoop.
Caraway seeds: Lightly crush the caraway seeds with a mortar and pestle before adding them. This breaks them up so you don’t bite into whole seeds, and crushing them also helps them release more flavor. Leave them out only if you don’t like caraway.