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Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 30 reviews

This Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, combining sharp cheddar cheese with luscious cream cheese and fresh cranberry sauce. Baked to bubbly perfection, this warm dip is an ideal appetizer for holiday gatherings or cozy get-togethers. It pairs wonderfully with crostini, crackers, or pita chips, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare and delightfully festive.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

  • 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (full fat or Neufchatel)
  • ⅛–¼ teaspoon nutmeg, fresh or ground (optional)

Cranberry Ingredients

  • ¼ heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned, leftover, or homemade below)
  • ½ cup fresh cranberries (can substitute frozen, do not thaw)
  • 12 ounces cranberries (fresh or frozen for homemade cranberry sauce, do not thaw)
  • 1 cup sugar (all natural cane sugar preferred, white sugar is also fine)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from a navel orange or store-bought)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 12 ounces of fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and ¼ cup water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries start to pop and the mixture thickens. Some berries should remain whole while others break down. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Reserve ½ cup of fresh or frozen cranberries separately for the dip.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish and Oven: Lightly spray a small 1½ quart baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), or 350°F (175°C) if using a convection oven.
  3. Combine Cream Cheese and Cheddar: In a medium-large bowl, stir together the 8 oz room-temperature cream cheese with 1 ¾ cups of the grated sharp cheddar cheese until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Add Optional Nutmeg: If using, grate ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon (or up to ½ teaspoon according to taste preference) of fresh nutmeg into the cheese mixture and stir until incorporated.
  5. Mix in Cranberries: Gently fold in the ¼ cup cranberry sauce and the reserved ½ cup fresh cranberries into the cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
  6. Assemble and Bake the Dip: Spoon the cranberry and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 18-23 minutes (about 15 minutes if convection) until the dip is bubbly in the center and edges. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil shiny side down.
  7. Finish with Extra Cheese: A few minutes before removing the dip from the oven, remove the foil if used and sprinkle additional cheddar cheese on top. Allow it to brown slightly for a golden, melty finish.
  8. Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with crostini, crackers, or pita chips. Optionally, grate a little fresh nutmeg on top for added aroma and flavor.

Notes

  • You can make the cranberry sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to a week in an airtight container.
  • Use fresh cranberries for best texture, but frozen cranberries can be used if you do not thaw them before mixing.
  • If you want a stronger nutmeg flavor, increase the quantity to ½ teaspoon according to your preference.
  • For a lighter option, consider using Neufchatel cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese.
  • This dip is best served warm and fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked cranberry cream cheese dip, cranberry cream cheese appetizer, holiday dip recipe, baked cheese dip, cranberry cheddar dip

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/best-baked-cranberry-cream-cheese-dip-recipe/