Creamy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
This festive holiday appetizer features a tangy homemade cranberry-orange topping swirled over a creamy, fluffy cream cheese base. Quick to make and perfect for parties, it’s a crowd-pleaser that balances sweet, tart, and creamy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sour cream (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- Assorted crackers, pretzel crisps, bagel chips, apple slices, or celery sticks for serving
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 7-9 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens. Stir often.
- Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes until slightly warm.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with sour cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes with a hand mixer).
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over a serving platter (about 1/2-inch thick).
- Spoon cooled cranberry topping over the cream cheese. Swirl gently with a spatula or spoon.
- Garnish with extra orange zest or chopped pecans if desired.
- Arrange crackers, pretzel crisps, and apple slices around the dip. Serve immediately while cranberry topping is slightly warm, or chill for 30 minutes for a firmer texture.
Notes
Let cranberry topping cool slightly before assembling to prevent melting the cream cheese. Taste and adjust sweetness of cranberry sauce as needed. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and coconut yogurt. Make ahead by preparing components separately and assembling before serving. Garnish with mint, orange zest, or pomegranate seeds for a festive look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cranberry dip, cream cheese appetizer, holiday dip, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy appetizer, festive dip, party food