I remember relishing over this holiday appetizer every year, even as a kid. My mom or one of the neighbours used to make this every year and I just LOVED it and I’m honoured to share it with you this year. We call this surprise spread, and I think the “surprise” is that it has shrimp in it. Surprise! I’m not a huge shrimp fan, but will eat if it has shrimp in it, but I make mine without and it tastes awesome still!
You will need:
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 jar seafood sauce
- 2 cups mozarella cheese, shredded
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 green onion bunch, chopped
- 1 can cocktail shrimp, drained (optional)
- 1 can black olives, drained and chopped (optional)
Cream the cream cheese, sour cream and mayo together until smooth. Spread in an even layer on platter of your choice. This one I used for a smaller crowd and because it has sentimental value (passed down from my grandma) but double this size works well!
Next, spread 1 jar of seafood sauce (you can buy spicy if you prefer) on top of cream cheese layer.
Spread mozza cheese (about 2 cups, to taste) on top.
Cover with tomato, pepper (I only had yellow, still tasted great!), green onion and cocktail shrimp and olives if you prefer (blech!). Cover and refrigerate until you serve and I highly recommend pairing these with Ritz crackers, they taste the best to me!
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 jar seafood sauce
- 2 cups mozarella cheese, shredded
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 can cocktail shrimp, drained (optional)
- 1 can black olives, drained and chopped (optional)
- Cream the cream cheese, sour cream and mayo together until smooth. Spread in an even layer on platter of your choice.
- Next, spread 1 jar of seafood sauce (you can buy spicy if you prefer) on top of cream cheese layer.
- Spread mozza cheese (about 2 cups, to taste) on top.
- Cover with tomato, green pepper, green onion and cocktail shrimp and olives if you prefer.
- Cover and refrigerate until you serve and I highly recommend pairing these with Ritz crackers, they taste the best to me!
As I said before, this isn’t a sponsored post, but they taste the best with Ritz crackers to me! Try any kind you like and let me know!
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Love this spread! I also grew up with my mom always making this for holiday parties. My sisters and I started requesting is more and more, and I’m glad I found your recipe as a reminder! It’s true it tastes great with or without shrimp. I think my mom made it with the shrimp right on top of the cocktail/seafood sauce then added the cheese and peppers on top of that. I guess it hides the shrimp and makes them a surprise!
Lol I’m a nurse who fell in love with a farmer as well lol love love love this dip:) I find the seafood sauce gives it that extra kick/flavour to make it come together:)
A co-worker can not have shrimp. She makes this with a generous amount home cooked cooled bacon bits. It is different but very tasty.
It is really good with the artificial crab.
What a great suggestion, Gail!
I love surprise spread! I was hesitant about it at first because I'm not a big fan of seafood but I really like it.
I love the flavour of seafood sauce, that makes it seafood enough for me! I don't usually add shrimp, but will eat it if someone else makes it!
Try it with salsa instead of seafood sauce. Awesome this way!
That would be a good alternative!