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Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Evelyn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a vibrant, tangy, and slightly spicy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or any party. Fresh cranberries are simmered with sugar, water, and optional jalapeño for a flavorful sauce that’s spooned over creamy, smooth cream cheese. Topped with green onions and served with crisp crackers and apple slices, this easy-to-make dip balances sweet, tart, and savory flavors for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Cranberry Sauce

  • 6 oz. fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 jalapeño (optional)
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Dip Base and Garnish

  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 3 green onions, sliced

For Serving

  • 1 box crackers
  • 1 apple

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold water. Place them into a small saucepan along with sugar, water, and salt.
  2. Prep Jalapeño (Optional): Remove the stem of the jalapeño, slice it lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds for less heat, or leave some seeds for extra spice. Finely dice the jalapeño and add it to the saucepan.
  3. Cook Sauce: Stir all ingredients in the saucepan to combine. Cover with a lid and heat over medium-high until boiling. Once boiling, stir well, reduce heat to medium-low, remove the lid, and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Cool Sauce: After simmering, the cranberries will have burst, creating a thick sauce. Turn off the heat and transfer the sauce to the refrigerator to cool completely.
  5. Prepare Cream Cheese: Place the cream cheese block on a small plate or shallow bowl. Use the back of a spoon to make an indentation or groove along the center.
  6. Assemble Dip: Once the cranberry sauce is chilled, pour it over the cream cheese, filling the indentation. Sprinkle the sliced green onions on top for a fresh garnish.
  7. Serve: Serve the dip immediately with crackers and apple slices for dipping.

Notes

  • You can adjust the spiciness of the dip by controlling the amount of jalapeño seeds.
  • For a smoother sauce, pulse the cranberry sauce lightly in a blender before cooling.
  • To make it more colorful, add chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro on top.
  • This dip pairs beautifully with a variety of crackers—try multigrain or buttery crackers for different textures.
  • Leftover cranberry sauce can be refrigerated separately and used for other dishes or as a spread.

Find it online: http://evelynscooking.com/cranberry-cream-cheese-dip-recipe/