Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a delightful blend of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors perfect for any gathering. Warm, cheesy, and dotted with festive cranberries, it’s an irresistible appetizer that’s both easy to make and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
• ⅔ cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer or whisk.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, crushed dried rosemary, and garlic powder to the cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the canned cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries, taking care to distribute them evenly without breaking the berries.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dip mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are golden and starting to brown.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and serve warm with your choice of crackers, bread, or pita chips for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Swap fresh cranberries with dried cranberries if fresh are not in season, but reduce the cranberry sauce slightly to balance sweetness.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick that complements the creamy texture.
• Use goat cheese instead of cream cheese for a tangier flavor profile and richer texture.
• Garnish with chopped fresh rosemary or thyme for an herbal aroma before serving.

Storage

Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in a microwave-safe dish or in a 350 degrees F oven until heated through, about 10-15 minutes. Stir gently before serving to restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dip and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

What can I use if I don’t have canned cranberry sauce?

You can substitute with homemade cranberry sauce or a thicker jam made from cranberries to maintain the sweet and tart component of the dip.

Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 79 reviews

• Author: lilan
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x

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Description

This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a festive and creamy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in. Featuring smooth cream cheese blended with mozzarella, aromatic rosemary, and garlic, it’s punctuated by the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries, then baked until golden and bubbly. Serve it warm with crackers, bread, or pita chips for an irresistible treat that’s simple to prepare yet impressive to serve.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dip Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
• ⅔ cup fresh cranberries

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Mix cream cheese base: Place the room temperature cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and beat until completely smooth, ensuring a creamy base for the dip.
3. Add cheese and seasonings: Add 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, crushed dried rosemary, and garlic powder to the cream cheese and mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Fold in cranberries: Gently fold in the canned whole berry cranberry sauce along with the fresh cranberries to distribute the fruit evenly without breaking it down too much.
5. Transfer to baking dish: Spoon the dip mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
6. Top with remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip to create a golden, cheesy crust when baked.
7. Bake until bubbly: Bake the dip in the preheated oven for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the edges start to brown and the cheese topping is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve warm: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot with crackers, bread, or pita chips for dipping.

Notes

• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
• You can substitute fresh rosemary if preferred, but crushed dried rosemary provides a more concentrated flavor in this recipe.
• For a milder garlic flavor, use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic to evenly disperse the taste.
• Fresh cranberries add a nice tart pop and texture contrast—don’t skip them.
• This dip can be kept warm in a low oven setting if preparing ahead of time.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated prior to serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, Holiday Dip, Party Dip, Cream Cheese Appetizer, Cranberry Recipe, Mozzarella Dip