Preheat and Prepare: First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Lightly grease a small oven-safe dish or skillet (about 20cm or 8 inches in diameter).

Mix the Cream Cheese Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use a spatula or an electric mixer on a low speed to beat everything together until it's completely smooth and creamy. It's important the cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps.

Assemble the Dip: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into your prepared dish and use the back of the spoon to spread it into an even layer.

Create the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan, gently warm the runny honey, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt over a low heat for 1-2 minutes. Stir continuously. You're not looking to boil it, just to warm it through and help the chilli infuse the honey. What works best for me is watching for tiny bubbles to just start forming at the edge, then taking it off the heat immediately.

First Drizzle and Bake: Pour about half of the warm hot honey over the cream cheese base in the dish. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Check for Doneness: You'll know it's ready when the edges are lightly puffed and bubbling, and the centre is warm and soft. The cheese will start to get some lovely browned spots, which is a result of the delicious Maillard reaction that creates so much flavour.

Toast the Walnuts: While the dip is baking, place the chopped walnuts in a dry, small frying pan over a medium heat. Toast for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly.

Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Drizzle the remaining hot honey over the top. Garnish generously with the toasted walnuts and a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves.

Rest and Enjoy: Let the dip rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and prevents anyone from burning their mouth! Serve warm with your favourite accompaniments.