Recipe: Chinese Five Spice Cream Cheese dip

My obsession with Chinese five-spice powder rages again. I found this recipe for Spiced Cream Cheese Dip. I swapped the cinnamon with the five-spice combo, which is much bolder by comparison.

The brownie is just the carrier for the dip or spread. (Tammy Quackenbush photo)

Spiced Cream Cheese Dip

adapted from original recipe by Monet at Anecdotes and Apple Cores

1 package cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

Cream the sugar, five-spice powder and cream cheese until light and fluffy (about three minutes).

I tried this "dip" with some cinnamon- and raisin-flavored pretzel sticks. But I couldn't help thinking this recipe worked better as frosting. Spread over brownies, the dip-frosting certainly brought some life to otherwise staid sweets.

On reflection, I'd replace the granulated sugar with confectioner's sugar for a smoother, more frosting-like consistency.