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Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

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

5.3 from 14 reviews

This Best Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines sharp cheddar, creamy full-fat cream cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce for a perfect balance of flavors. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s ideal for holiday parties or special gatherings, served warm with crostini, crackers, or pita chips.

Ingredients

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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 Sauce

  • 12 ounces cranberries (fresh or frozen, do not thaw)
  • 1 cup sugar (all natural cane sugar preferred, white sugar can be used)
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice (fresh squeezed preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh preferred)
  • ¼ cup water

Dip Additions

  • ¼ heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned, leftover, or homemade as per recipe)
  • ½ cup fresh cranberries (may substitute with frozen, do not thaw)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Optional): 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 the cranberries start to burst and the mixture thickens. Keep some cranberries whole for texture, and allow others to break down. Remove ½ cup of fresh cranberries to reserve for the dip.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a small 1½-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat your 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 mixing bowl, stir together the room temperature cream cheese and 1¾ cups of the grated sharp cheddar cheese until fully blended and smooth.
  4. Add Nutmeg (Optional): If desired, grate ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of fresh nutmeg or use ground nutmeg and mix it into the cheese mixture for added warmth and subtle spice.
  5. Incorporate Cranberries into Cheese Mixture: Gently stir in the ¼ cup cranberry sauce and the reserved ½ cup fresh cranberries into the cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
  6. Transfer to Baking Dish and Top with Cheese: Spoon the cranberry and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese on top.
  7. Bake the Dip: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-23 minutes (or about 15 minutes if using a convection oven) until the dip is bubbly in the center and the edges are hot and slightly golden. Cover with foil (shiny side down) if it begins to brown too quickly.
  8. Browning Final Cheese Layer: A few minutes before removing from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top and remove the foil to allow the top to brown nicely.
  9. Serve Warm: Serve the dip immediately with crostini, crackers, or pita chips. Optionally, grate a little fresh nutmeg over the top for extra flavor.

Notes

  • This recipe makes extra cranberry sauce; store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or use canned sauce for convenience.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor; Neufchatel is a lighter alternative but may affect creaminess.
  • Do not thaw frozen cranberries before adding to maintain texture bursts in the dip.
  • If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil with the shiny side down to prevent overbaking.
  • Adjust nutmeg to your taste preference, starting with a small amount to avoid overpowering.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry cream cheese dip, baked cranberry dip, holiday appetizer, cheddar cheese dip, festive dip, cranberry sauce dip

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