Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

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This cranberry cream cheese dip is a crowd-pleasing, holiday appetizer that’s easy to make with 7 ingredients in 5 minutes!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip surrounded by crackers with a knife that has spread some onto one cracker

I know most people focus on the main meal during the holidays, but in my opinion, appetizers are just as important! This cranberry cream cheese dip is my go-to for fall/winter entertaining!

A sweet and tangy cranberry mixture is served over cream cheese and topped with crunchy green onions and spread over salty crackers. It’s easy to make in 10 minutes, and is actually best when prepared in advance – lessening your workload in the kitchen on the big day.

Because everyone needs something to snack on while the turkey is cooking – and this cranberry dip with cream cheese is perfect!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip surrounded by crackers with a knife that has spread some onto one cracker

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip recipe
  • Orange juice. Apple juice or apple cider both are good substitutions.
  • Brown sugar. granulated sugar works well too.
  • Honey. maple syrup is a good substitute for honey.
  • Fresh cranberries. I really do not recommend substitutions for the cranberries.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip spread onto a cracker next to the rest of the dip

How to Make Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Let’s walk through this cranberry cream cheese dip recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by making the cranberry portion of the recipe. Combine the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and salt in a small saucepan.

making Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip in a saucepan
making Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip in a saucepan

Then add the cranberries & bring the mixture to a boil.

making Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip - adding cranberries
cranberry mixture boiling in a pot

Once boiling, turn the heat down and simmer for 5 minutes or until the cranberries have burst.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip - cranberry mixture cooking in a pot

After 5 minutes, lightly mash the cranberries with a potato masher.

Then transfer to a glass container with a lid to chill in the refrigerator for about 3 hours, or overnight.

I have made this in a hurry to serve within the hour – and to cool the cranberry sauce in time I put the mixture in the freezer and stir every 5 minutes for about 30-45 minutes. It works perfectly!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip in a glass container to chill

Assemble

Once the cranberry mixture is chilled, place an 8 oz block of cream cheese on a serving plate or cheese board.

Then, use a spoon to gently make a well in the center of the block of cream cheese.

a spoon making a "well" in a block of cream cheese on a plate
a block of cream cheese on  a plate with an indentation in it

Pour the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese in the well.

assembling Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip - putting cranberry mixture on top of cream cheese

Then, top the cranberry cream cheese dip with the green onions and serve.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip topped with green onions on a serving plate surrounded by crackers

Serve

Serve this cranberry cream cheese dip with a cheese knife to make it easy to cut and spread.

I suggest serving with your favorite crackers or pretzels.

a hand dipping a cracker into Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

a hand holding a cracker with Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip spread onto it

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe FAQS

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double it for a large crowd easily.

How do I prepare it in advance?

I suggest making the cranberry mixture 1 day before you plan to serve this dip. Then all you have to do is assemble the recipe and serve.

Can I make it spicy?

Some people love the sweet/spicy combination. You could add 1 finely diced jalapeรฑo pepper to the cranberry mixture if desired.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip with a knife that has spread some onto crackers

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Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Laura
This cranberry cream cheese dip is a crowd-pleasing, holiday appetizer that's easy to make with 7 ingredients in 5 minutes!
No ratings yet
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 106
Prep Time10 minutes
Chilling1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Add orange juice, brown sugar honey, cinnamon, and sea salt to a small saucepan.
  • Stir to combine, then add cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once boiling, turn the heat down and simmer for 5 minutes until cranberries have burst.
  • Lightly mash the cranberries with a potato masher, then transfer to a glass container with a lid to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or overnight*

Assemble

  • Put an 8 oz block of cream cheese on a serving plate or cheese board.
  • Use a spoon to gently make a well in the center of the block of cream cheese.
  • Pour chilled cranberries over the cream cheese the well.

Serve

  • Top with sliced green onions and serve with a cheese knife.

Video

Notes

* I have made this in a hurry to serve within the hour – and to cool the cranberry sauce in time I put the mixture in the freezer and stir every 5 minutes for about 30-45 minutes. It works perfectly!
Ingredient Substitution Notes
  • Orange juice. Apple juice or apple cider both are good substitutions.
  • Brown sugar. granulated sugar works well too.
  • Honey. maple syrup is a good substitute for honey.
  • Fresh cranberries. I really do not recommend substitutions for the cranberries.
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 3Tablespoons | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 303IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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