Roasted Garlic Cheese Spread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 whole head of garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil (amount approximate)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives (optional; amount to taste)

Preparation

Note- If using salted butter, lower amount of salt used or omit.
Preheat oven to 325\u00b0F.
Cut off top third of garlic head without peeling away papery skin.
Drizzle top of garlic with olive oil until it is saturated.
Place garlic cut side down in a ovenproof ramekin dish or baking pan.
Roast for 60-75 minutes, or until soft and tender.
When slightly cooled, squeeze out roasted garlic cloves and place in a mini-food processor (or may place in a bowl to whisk by hand).
Add softened cream cheese, butter, salt, and pepper to mini-processor and pulse until creamy and smooth.
Place in a serving/storage dish and blend in snipped chives (if using).
Serve softened spread with assorted crackers.