Description
Irresistible Baked Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip combines tangy cranberries with rich cream cheese for a festive appetizer. Warm holiday flavors meld perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing starter you’ll want to share at gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (150 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded mozzarella or white cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey or maple syrup (optional)
- ½ tsp orange zest (optional)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley or green onions
- Crackers, pita chips, or baguette slices, for serving
Instructions
- Cranberry Compote Creation: Merge fresh cranberries, sugar, water, and orange zest in a saucepan, simmering over medium heat while gently crushing berries until they burst and transform into a luscious, thickened sauce.
- Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle honey or maple syrup into the compote, then set aside to cool and allow flavors to harmonize.
- Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 375F (190C), creating an ideal environment for the upcoming dip.
- Cream Cheese Mixture: Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, blending until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Assembling the Dip: Transfer cream cheese mixture into a baking dish, spreading evenly, then delicately layer the cooled cranberry compote across the surface with gentle coverage.
- Baking Process: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until edges become bubbly and the interior is thoroughly warmed.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions, serving immediately alongside crackers, pita chips, or sliced baguette for an irresistible appetizer.
Notes
Manage Cranberry Texture: Cook cranberries just until they burst to maintain a perfect balance between whole and broken fruit, preventing an overly mushy compote.
Control Temperature Sensitivity: Keep cream cheese mixture at room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth blending and prevent lumpy consistency.
Optimize Flavor Infusion: Allow cranberry compote to cool slightly before layering to prevent immediate melting and preserve distinct flavor layers in the dip.
Customize Dietary Variations: Substitute dairy ingredients with vegan cream cheese alternatives and use low-sugar options for a lighter, health-conscious version of the appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg