Description
Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip is a vibrant symphony of flavors that elevates any gathering. This dip balances the sweet and tangy notes of cranberries with the creamy texture of cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- ½ cup fresh cranberries (for the dip or garnish)
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon nutmeg, fresh or ground (optional)
- 12 ounces cranberries, fresh or frozen (for homemade sauce, if not using pre-made)
- 1 cup sugar (for homemade sauce, if not using pre-made)
- 3 tablespoons orange juice (for homemade sauce, if not using pre-made)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for homemade sauce, if not using pre-made)
- ¼ cup water (for homemade sauce, if not using pre-made)
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberry Sauce (if not using pre-made): Rinse 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and ¼ cup water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until most cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Allow to cool completely to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour until nicely cold.
- Prepare the Cheese Base: Ensure 8 oz cream cheese is softened to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light, fluffy, and smooth. Gently fold in 2 cups of grated extra-sharp white cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Assemble the Dip: Select a shallow serving dish or platter. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the dish and spread evenly. Retrieve your chilled cranberry sauce from the refrigerator and spoon it over the cheese layer. Spread it out with the back of a spoon. You can mix in ½ cup fresh cranberries at this stage or reserve them for garnish.
- Chill and Garnish: Cover the dip loosely with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. Just before serving, remove from the refrigerator. If desired, sprinkle with ⅛-¼ teaspoon nutmeg and garnish with the reserved fresh cranberries.
- Serve and Store: Allow the dip to sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers, ginger snaps, or apple slices. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness of the cranberry sauce to your preference.
- Experiment with different garnishes for variety.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing and chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg