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Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

This creamy, cheesy dip with bursts of tart cranberries is the perfect holiday appetizer! The combination of warm cream cheese, gooey mozzarella, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser. Serve with crackers, bread, or pita chips for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2(8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese, divided½ teaspooncrushed dried rosemary½ teaspoongarlic powder½ cupcanned whole berry cranberry sauce⅔ cupfresh cranberries
  • 3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese, divided½ teaspooncrushed dried rosemary½ teaspoongarlic powder½ cupcanned whole berry cranberry sauce⅔ cupfresh cranberries
  • ½ teaspooncrushed dried rosemary½ teaspoongarlic powder½ cupcanned whole berry cranberry sauce⅔ cupfresh cranberries
  • ½ teaspoongarlic powder½ cupcanned whole berry cranberry sauce⅔ cupfresh cranberries
  • ½ cupcanned whole berry cranberry sauce⅔ cupfresh cranberries
  • ⅔ cupfresh cranberries

Instructions

  1. 1️⃣Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  2. 2️⃣Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, rosemary, and garlic powder. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.3️⃣Add cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries to the cheese mixture. Be careful not to crush the fresh cranberries too much to maintain their texture.4️⃣Assemble the dip: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.5️⃣Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top starts to turn golden brown.6️⃣Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve the dip hot with your choice of crackers, sliced baguette, or pita chips.
  3. 3️⃣Add cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries to the cheese mixture. Be careful not to crush the fresh cranberries too much to maintain their texture.4️⃣Assemble the dip: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.5️⃣Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top starts to turn golden brown.6️⃣Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve the dip hot with your choice of crackers, sliced baguette, or pita chips.
  4. 4️⃣Assemble the dip: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
  5. 5️⃣Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top starts to turn golden brown.6️⃣Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve the dip hot with your choice of crackers, sliced baguette, or pita chips.
  6. 6️⃣Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve the dip hot with your choice of crackers, sliced baguette, or pita chips.

Notes

Make it festive: Garnish with a few extra fresh cranberries and a sprinkle of rosemary for a festive presentation.Cheese swap: Substitute mozzarella with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.Leftovers: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Cheese swap: Substitute mozzarella with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.Leftovers: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Leftovers: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

  • Author: Chef Stella