Description
This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a delightful and festive appetizer combining creamy, tangy cream cheese with sweet cranberry sauce, melted mozzarella, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy parties, it’s easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Serving
- Crackers or bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking your dip evenly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and cranberry sauce thoroughly until fully blended, creating a creamy and vibrant dip base.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the cream cheese and cranberry mixture evenly into a small baking dish, ensuring a smooth surface for even baking.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dip, then top with the chopped pecans to add a delightful nutty crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and the dip is bubbly and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the dip hot with your choice of crackers or slices of bread for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- You can use whole cranberry sauce or the jellied variety for a different texture.
- For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the cream cheese mixture.
- Replace mozzarella with a blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar for a richer taste.
- Chopped toasted walnuts can be used instead of pecans for a different nutty profile.
- Serve immediately for the best warm texture, but leftovers can be reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: cranberry cream cheese dip, baked dip, holiday appetizer, easy party dip, creamy cranberry dip
