🌿 Cream Cheese & Olive Stuffed Celery Sticks 🧀
This appetizer is a timeless classic—crunchy, fresh celery loaded with a tangy, herbaceous cream cheese filling and briny olives. It’s easy, retro, and surprisingly satisfying! Perfect for a party or a light snack. 🎉
🛒 Ingredients
What You’ll Need (The Essentials):
The Vessel:
1 bunch Celery Stalks 🌿 (washed, trimmed, and cut into 2-3 inch pieces)
The Creamy Filling:
8 oz package Cream Cheese 🧀 (full-fat or Neufchâtel, softened to room temp)
1/4 cup Mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option) 🥄
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice 🍋
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder 🧄
1/2 tsp Dried Dill 🌿
A pinch of Salt & Black Pepper 🧂⚫
The Toppings (The Flavor Pops):
1/2 cup Green Olives, sliced (pimento-stuffed work well!) 🫒
1/4 cup Pimentos or finely chopped Red Bell Pepper (for color!) 🌶️
Getting Ready (Quick Prep):
Take the cream cheese 🧀 out of the fridge at least an hour before starting so it can soften.
Wash and dry the celery stalks 🌿 thoroughly. Cut them into serving-sized pieces (about 2-3 inches long).
Slice the olives 🫒 and finely chop the pimentos/red pepper 🌶️ (if using whole).
🥣 Mixing the Filling & 🥄 The Stuffing
Step 1: Whip the Creamy Base 🧈
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese 🧀 and mayonnaise 🥄.
Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to beat the mixture until it is completely smooth and fluffy. No lumps allowed! 🚫
Add the lemon juice 🍋, garlic powder 🧄, dried dill 🌿, salt 🧂, and pepper ⚫. Mix thoroughly to combine the seasonings.
Step 2: Fold in the Flavor 🫒
Gently fold in half of the sliced green olives 🫒 and half of the chopped pimentos 🌶️ into the cream cheese mixture. Save the rest for garnish! 🌟
Taste the filling. Adjust the salt or add a little more lemon juice if needed. 👍
