Be inspired by a healthy helping of delicious dairy

One of the most versatile ingredients in the food world, cream cheese is fantastic spread on bagels, smeared on sandwiches, and dolloped in delicious dessert recipes. Cream cheese is a soft, neutral-tasting cheese made from cow's milk and cream, and believe us, its uses go far beyond bagel toppings.

It can be used in a number of different ways to enhance your recipes and dishes and has an inherent ability to make things tangier, creamier. But did you know it also has a superpower? Gone overboard with the chilli powder? Add cream cheese to cut down on the spiciness of dishes.

Creamy crackers

Cream cheese is often associated with bagels or cheesecake and conjures images of a luscious and tasty treat. It spreads on smoothly with a light and slightly tangy flavour, which makes it perfect for crackers, rice cakes and freshly-warmed toast. These cream cheese crackers are creamy, crunchy, and delicious.

They take five minutes to prepare and they make the perfect after school snack. Try an easy cracker appetiser with cucumber, pomegranate, and seasoned cream cheese topping, or chopped baby tomatoes and basil.

Fresh blackberries and light cream cheese make a pretty, sweet topping for a crisp bread snack, especially with a little mint sprinkled on top.

Or, make a fun and healthy snack for kids, in the form of a black olive bear, with just crackers, black olives and cream cheese.

Stuffed sweet jacket potato

High in protein and low GI, which means you'll feel fuller for longer, stuffed sweet potatoes are a healthy supper option if you're watching your waistline. Even though cream cheese is high in fat and contains a small amount of carbs and protein, it's a good source of vitamin A and contributes some riboflavin (vitamin B2).

Whipped cream cheese contains less fat and fewer calories per serving and makes a fabulous topping, coupled with a few fresh chives, on a jacket or sweet jacket potato. Made with pasteurised cream or a combo of milk and cream, it can be found in a variety of forms, including regular, whipped, brick, low-fat and fat-free. Some are even flavoured with garlic, chives and other herbs for an interesting take on the soft stuff.

Preheat the oven to 180°. Prick skin of medium-sized potato with a fork and bake for about 40 mins. Mix 40g of cream cheese, half a green pepper, chopped, quarter of an onion, chopped, half a teaspoon of chilli powder and a pinch freshly ground black pepper in a bowl.

When the potato is baked, scoop out the insides and spoon in the cream cheese mixture. Grill for a few minutes and sprinkle herbs on top.

Whipped frosting

Need a good excuse to enjoy dreamy, cream cheese frosting atop soft, fluffy carrot or red velvet cakes? Here it is. Cream cheese is a good source of vitamin A, which is integral to eye health.

It is critical to healthy eyesight and helps prevent vision-related issues, including night blindness, according to the National Institutes of Health. With 10 per cent of our recommended daily value found in only two tablespoons, cream cheese packs a powerful punch.

The bonus, vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means your body is able to better absorb it when it's paired with fats — so opt for low-fat or full-fat cream cheese, or pair the cheese with a source of fats such as eggs, to help your body get the most vitamin A.

Combine 115g of softened butter and 225g of block cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until creamy, well-combined, and lump-free. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt and stir well to combine. With the mixer on low, gradually add 500g of icing sugar until completely combined.