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Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

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4.1 from 11 reviews

This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet with the fresh burst of cranberries, it combines cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and cranberry sauce baked to bubbly perfection and topped with a golden cheese crust.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese, room temperature
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated, divided
  • 1 cup Cranberry Sauce
  • ½ cup Fresh Cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the dip.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a small baking dish to prevent sticking and set it aside for later.
  3. Whip Cream Cheese: Using a mixer or whisk, whip the room temperature cream cheese until it becomes fluffy and smooth, which helps create a creamy base for the dip.
  4. Combine Cheese: Mix 1 3/4 cups of the grated sharp cheddar cheese into the whipped cream cheese until fully incorporated.
  5. Add Cranberries: Stir in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries gently until evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
  6. Fill Baking Dish: Spoon this cheese and cranberry mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top for even baking.
  7. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip for a cheesy crust.
  8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly on the edges.
  9. Broil to Brown: For a golden, slightly crisp top, place the dip under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

  • Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature to achieve the best creamy texture when whipped.
  • If you prefer a less tart dip, use a mild cheddar instead of sharp cheddar.
  • Use fresh cranberries for a tart burst, but dried cranberries can be substituted if fresh are unavailable.
  • Serve warm with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh veggies for dipping.
  • Carefully watch the dip under the broiler to prevent the cheese from burning.

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