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Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

4.7 from 138 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a deliciously creamy and tangy appetizer perfect for gatherings and holiday celebrations. Cream cheese whipped until fluffy is mixed with sharp cheddar cheese and vibrant cranberry sauce, then baked to bubbly perfection and topped with a golden, melted cheddar crust. Enhanced with fresh cranberries for texture and a burst of flavor, this warm dip is comforting and crowd-pleasing, ideal for serving with crackers or fresh bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese, room temperature
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated (divided)

Fruit Ingredients

  • 1 cup Cranberry Sauce
  • ½ cup Fresh Cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the dip evenly.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a small oven-safe baking dish, about 6×9 inches, to prevent sticking and allow easy serving.
  3. Whip Cream Cheese: Using a mixer or hand whisk, whip the room temperature cream cheese until it becomes fluffy and smooth. This ensures a creamy texture in the final dip.
  4. Mix Cheese: Add 1 ¾ cups of the grated sharp cheddar cheese to the whipped cream cheese and stir until well combined, forming the cheesy base of the dip.
  5. Add Cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries to the cheese mixture. This adds tangy sweetness and fresh fruit texture.
  6. Assemble Dip: Spoon the mixture into the prepared greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  7. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip for a golden, cheesy crust.
  8. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the dip is bubbly and heated through.
  9. Broil: For a beautiful golden brown finish, place the dip under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  10. Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve immediately with your choice of crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

Notes

  • Grate your cheese fresh at home instead of using pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents to ensure better melting and flavor.
  • Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature so it can be whipped to a light, creamy texture effectively.
  • A 6×9 inch baking dish is ideal. Use a similarly sized oven-safe dish if unavailable.
  • This recipe serves approximately 8 to 12 people; double or triple for larger crowds.
  • The dip can be prepared and assembled up to one week ahead of baking for convenience.
  • For flavor variations, consider adding orange juice and zest, diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for spice, fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage, or nuts such as pecans or walnuts for texture and richness.
  • Serve the dip warm, straight from the oven for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12th of recipe (approx. 100g)
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

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