Description
Baked cream cheese cranberry dip brings festive cheer to your holiday table with minimal effort. Creamy, tangy, and perfect for spreading on crackers, this crowd-pleasing appetizer comes together in minutes and will have guests asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to a precise 350°F, creating the perfect environment for your creamy dip.
- Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup cranberry sauce in a spacious bowl, blending until smooth and uniform.
- Fold in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring every spoonful will have delicious cheesy pockets.
- Incorporate ½ cup chopped green onions and optional ¼ cup chopped walnuts for fresh crunch and texture.
- Sprinkle ½ tsp garlic powder and ½ tsp black pepper across the mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Transfer your vibrant dip into a clean baking dish, spreading it gently to create an even layer.
- Slide the dish into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for exactly 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble enthusiastically.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing the dip to settle and intensify its flavors.
- Serve immediately alongside crisp crackers or warm, crusty bread for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature helps create a smoother, easier-to-mix dip with no lumps.
- Choose a tart cranberry sauce to balance the rich, creamy cheese and add bright flavor to the dip.
- Toast the walnuts briefly in a dry pan before adding to enhance their nutty, deep taste and create a crunchier texture.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese and use low-fat cheddar without losing the delicious tangy profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg