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Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is so easy to make and offers a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors, guaranteeing it will be a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any holiday gathering. With minimal prep and simple baking, you’ll have a delicious and festive dip that everyone will love.
Perfect Holiday Party Appetizer
Get ready to wow your guests with this easy and delicious Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip! It’s the perfect starter appetizer for your Fall & Winter holiday gatherings, from cozy Thanksgiving dinners to festive Christmas parties.
Fresh from the oven and slightly cooled, we eagerly gathered around to dip crackers into this warm baked cranberry dip. It was hard to stop eating it, LOL. This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is such a delicious appetizer!
This cranberry dip has the most perfect balance of creamy richness, sweet and tart cranberries, and savory cheese, making it a total crowd-pleaser.
Plus, it’s incredibly simple to throw together, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities (and maybe sneak a few bites yourself!).
How to Make Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is made by combining softened cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, dried cranberries, and salt, then topping it with fresh cranberries tossed in sugar. The mixture is baked at 375°F until bubbly and golden, and optionally broiled for extra browning. Finally, it’s garnished with parsley and served warm with crackers.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip:
Bursting with Flavor: The combination of tangy cranberries, creamy cheese, and a hint of sweetness is delicious.
Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps and minimal prep, this appetizer comes together in no time.
Perfect for Sharing: Baked in a single dish, this holiday appetizer is perfect for serving a crowd.
Festive Colors: The vibrant red cranberries and fresh parsley garnish add a beautiful touch of traditional Christmas colors to your holiday table.
Lots of dipping options: Serve it with crackers, baguette slices, pita chips, or vegetables for dipping. It’s SO good!
Tips and Variations:
Cheese Swaps: Feel free to experiment with other shredded cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend.
Spice it Up: For a hint of warmth, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese mixture.
Nutty Crunch: Stir in some walnuts for added texture.
Make it Ahead: You can prepare the cheese mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Add the sugared cranberries just before baking.
Serving Suggestions: Besides crackers, this dip is also delicious with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, pretzels, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.
For a delicious and incredibly easy holiday appetizer, this Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a hit! The perfect balance of flavors and minimal effort make it a must-try for all your fall and winter celebrations. Enjoy!
Holiday Recipes with Cranberries
Don’t miss my other holiday recipes with cranberries like my 7-layer cranberry bars, cranberry bliss bars with cream cheese frosting, and Turkey Sandwiches.
Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 16oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups sour cream
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 tbsp sugar
- chopped parsley for garnish
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- In a large bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded mozzarella, dried cranberries, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a 9 inch round baking dish add the mixture and spread it into an even layer.
- In a small bowl, toss fresh cranberries with sugar.
- Place fresh cranberries on top of the cheese mixture and gently press down.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Broil for a few minutes to additionally brown the top (optional).
- Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm with crackers.
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