Description
This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a delicious and festive appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in. Cream cheese blended with sour cream, sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and topped with a warm, spiced cranberry sauce creates a creamy, tangy, and sweet dip that pairs perfectly with crackers, bread, or fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Cranberry Topping
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to ensure there are no lumps.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into a small baking dish or oven-safe serving dish to create a smooth base layer for the cranberry topping.
- Make Cranberry Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Top the Dip: Spoon the warm cranberry sauce evenly over the cream cheese base in the baking dish. Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top if desired for added texture and flavor.
- Bake the Dip: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes, until the dip is heated through and slightly bubbly around the edges.
- Serve Warm: Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh fruit for dipping.
Notes
- This dip can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated; reheat gently before serving.
- For a sweeter dip, increase the honey or maple syrup to 3 tablespoons.
- If fresh cranberries are not available, frozen cranberries work just as well.
- To make the dip nut-free, omit the chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Use gluten-free crackers to keep this appetizer gluten-free.
