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Creamy Cranberry Cheese Dip

Featured in Start the Party: Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Enjoy this Creamy Cranberry Cheese Dip that combines smooth, rich cheese with a cranberry topping bursting with flavor. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing option for holidays or anytime you’re hosting. Pair it with crackers or crunchy bread for a festive treat everyone will love!

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Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:36:12 GMT
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Creamy Cranberry Cheese Dip | linacooks.com

Wow your friends this season with a mouthwatering Warmed Cranberry Cheese Spread! This gooey, delightful dip combines smooth cheese with zingy cranberries for a seasonal taste that's perfect for intimate get-togethers. Easy to whip up and bursting with bright colors, it makes a fantastic starter for any party.

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese: 8 oz, brought to room temperature to form a velvety foundation for your dip.
  • Sour Cream: 1 cup, brings a creamy zing that cuts through the richness of the cheeses.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup, shredded, creates that wonderful stretchy pull when you dip.
  • White Cheddar Cheese: ½ cup, shredded, adds a bold, robust flavor to the mixture.
  • Fresh Cranberries: 1 cup, delivering a tangy kick and gorgeous crimson color that screams holiday fun.
  • Sugar: 2 tablespoons, dusts the cranberries and brings just enough sweetness to balance their tartness.
  • Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped, sprinkled on top for a bit of green and a hint of freshness.
  • Crackers, Breadsticks, or Crostini: for serving, they're the perfect vessels for scooping up this warm, luscious dip.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Get your oven hot at 375°F (190°C) so it's all set for baking your tasty dip.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Base
Grab a medium bowl and mix together the room-temp cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and white cheddar. Stir until everything's nicely combined into a smooth mixture.
Step 3: Coat the Cranberries
Take another bowl and toss those fresh cranberries with sugar until they're all covered. This helps take the edge off their sourness.
Step 4: Assemble the Dip
Scoop the cheese blend into your baking dish and smooth it out flat. Then scatter the sugared cranberries all over the top.
Step 5: Bake
Stick your dish in the hot oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until you see the cheese bubbling and those cranberries starting to pop and release their juices.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Enjoy this dip piping hot right out of the oven, with plenty of dipping options like crackers, breadsticks, or toasted bread slices.
  • Want to jazz it up? Scatter fresh parsley on top or add a little honey drizzle for extra sweetness.
  • Got leftovers? They'll keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just warm it up again before you dig in.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Ina Garten says to always grate your cheese fresh instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest melt in baked dips.
  • Chef Bobby Flay thinks you should try pairing this with fancy crackers like ones with rosemary or garlic for extra taste excitement.
  • Chef Giada De Laurentiis loves finishing creamy dishes with fresh herbs to brighten them up and make them look pretty.

Variations

  • Toss some chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for a crunchy texture contrast.
  • Try different cheese combos like fontina or gouda to create your own special version.
  • Mix in some thyme or rosemary with the cheese for a more complex, herby flavor.

Festive Cranberry Dip

A blend of tangy cheeses and cranberries, this Creamy Cranberry Cheese Dip brings cozy flavors to any gathering.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (2 cups)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 8 oz of cream cheese, softened for a smooth and rich texture.
02 1 cup of sour cream to give it a little tang and extra creaminess.
03 1 cup of shredded mozzarella for that gooey, melty goodness.
04 ½ cup of sharp white cheddar, shredded for a punch of flavor.
05 1 cup of fresh cranberries to add a nice tart bite to balance the richness.
06 2 tablespoons of sugar, perfect for coating and sweetening cranberries.
07 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley, great for topping and color.
08 Serve with crostini, crackers, or breadsticks of your choice.

Instructions

Step 01

Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot beforehand.

Step 02

Combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, and sharp white cheddar together in a bowl until smooth.

Step 03

Take a bowl and toss the cranberries with sugar until they’re evenly covered.

Step 04

Spread the creamy cheese mix evenly in a baking dish. Layer the sugared cranberries on top.

Step 05

Put the dish in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until everything’s bubbly and the cranberries start to pop.

Step 06

When done baking, take it out, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top, and serve warm with your favorite dippers.

Notes

  1. This warm dip mixes creamy, tangy, and tart flavors. It’s a great choice for holiday parties or snuggling up at home.
  2. Pairs nicely with crackers, crostini, or other dippers—perfect for pleasing a crowd or keeping it simple.
  3. Want extra flair? Add bright touches like pomegranate seeds or a sprinkle of herbs before serving.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 200
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 5 g