Description
A rich and spicy Maryland crab dip that combines creamy cheeses with bold seasonings and sweet lump blue crab meat, baked to bubbly perfection and broiled for a golden top. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer served with crackers or toasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 5/8 cup), divided
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts (from about 2 scallions)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Crystal
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, plus more for sprinkling on top
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Seafood
- 1 pound lump blue crab meat, picked over for shells
To Serve
- Crackers or toasts
Instructions
- Prepare oven and base mixture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, half of the grated sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced scallions, mayonnaise, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended, tasting to adjust seasoning if desired.
- Incorporate crab meat. Gently fold the lump blue crab meat into the seasoning mixture using a silicone spatula, being careful not to break up the crab lumps to maintain texture.
- Bake the dip. Transfer the mixture to a 1-quart baking dish and bake in the oven until the dip is hot and bubbling, about 20 minutes.
- Broil for finishing touch. Remove the dish from the oven and switch the oven to broil setting. Lightly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and a dusting of Old Bay on top of the dip. Broil the dip 4 to 6 inches from the heating element until the cheese melts, bubbles, and achieves a light golden color, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Serve. Transfer the dip to a serving platter and serve hot with crackers or toasts for dipping.
Notes
- Cream cheese and sour cream provide a rich base that balances the spicy and salty flavors.
- Old Bay seasoning is key to capturing the classic Maryland seafood flavor; adjust amount carefully due to its saltiness.
- Use lump blue crab meat for best texture and flavor, avoid over-mixing to keep crab chunks intact.
- For extra heat, increase hot sauce or cayenne pepper according to taste.
- Serve immediately for best texture and temperature; leftovers can be gently reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 842 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
