Introduction

Remember those holiday parties, or maybe a cozy night in with friends, where a warm, bubbly dip just felt like the ultimate comfort food? This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is exactly that feeling, bottled up and ready to be shared! It’s so incredibly simple, you’ll wonder how something this delicious can come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a last-minute appetizer or a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this dip is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready to bake in just minutes, making it perfect for when unexpected guests arrive.
Easy: Seriously, if you can stir, you can make this dip. No fancy techniques required!
Giftable: Bake it in a cute dish and tie a ribbon around it – instant homemade gift!
Crowd-pleasing: The sweet, savory, and tangy flavors are a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Let’s gather up what you’ll need to create this little bowl of heaven. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

8 oz Cream cheese, softened: This is our creamy base! Make sure it’s at room temperature so it mixes like a dream.
1/2 cup Sour cream: Adds a lovely tang and keeps everything super smooth.
1/2 cup Cranberry sauce, cooked: The star of the show for that festive, fruity flair! Store-bought or homemade, it’s all good.
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded: Because cheese makes everything better, right? Sharp cheddar adds a nice punch.
1 tbsp Brown sugar: Just a touch to balance the tartness of the cranberries and add a hint of caramel sweetness.
1/2 tsp Cinnamon: A warm spice that pairs beautifully with cranberries.
1/4 tsp Nutmeg: Another cozy spice that adds depth to the flavor.
1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped: For a pop of color and freshness to finish it off.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands a little bit messy and whip up this amazing dip. It’s so straightforward, you’ll be done before you know it!

Preheat your oven: Get that oven fired up to 350°F (175°C). We want it nice and warm, ready to bake our dip to bubbly perfection.
Start with the base: Grab a medium-sized bowl. Add your softened cream cheese and the sour cream. Stir them together until they’re super smooth and creamy. No lumps allowed!
Bring on the flavor: Now, let’s add the magic! Stir in the cranberry sauce, your shredded cheddar cheese, that lovely brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix it all up until everything is well combined. It might look a little colorful, and that’s a good sign!
Into the dish it goes: Spoon your beautiful mixture into a small oven-safe dish. An 8×8 inch baking dish or a cute cast-iron skillet works wonderfully here.
Bake it till it’s bubbly: Pop that dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be heated all the way through and getting delightfully bubbly around the edges.
The finishing touch: Once it’s out of the oven and still warm, sprinkle that fresh chopped parsley over the top. It adds a lovely bit of green and a hint of freshness that cuts through the richness.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling a little adventurous? Or maybe you’re out of an ingredient? No worries, this dip is super forgiving and loves a good tweak!

Cheese: If cheddar isn’t your jam, try a mix of Gruyère for nuttiness, Monterey Jack for melty goodness, or even a sharp Colby.
Cranberries: Instead of just sauce, you could stir in a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries along with the sauce for a bit more texture. A dollop of orange marmalade would also be a delicious addition!
Spice: Want a little heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the mix.
Nuts: For some crunch, sprinkle some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the dip before serving.

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to ensure your dip is an absolute showstopper every single time!

Soften that cream cheese: This is key! If your cream cheese is too cold, it’ll be lumpy. Leave it on the counter for about an hour before you plan to mix, or you can carefully soften it in the microwave for a few seconds (be careful not to melt it!).
Don’t over-bake: You want it bubbly and warm, not dried out. Keep an eye on it during those last few minutes.
Prep ahead: You can totally assemble the dip (steps 1-4) a day in advance. Cover it and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for about 15-20 minutes before popping it in the oven, and it might need a few extra minutes to heat through.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This dip is pretty fantastic the next day too.

Refrigeration: Let the dip cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, spoon the dip into an oven-safe dish and warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through, or pop it in the microwave for a minute or two, stirring halfway. You might need to add a splash of milk or cream if it seems a bit stiff after refrigeration.

FAQs

Got a few burning questions? We’ve got you covered!

Q: What should I serve with this dip?

A: This dip is fantastic with sturdy crackers, baguette slices, apple slices, pear slices, or even pretzels!

Q: Can I make this dip ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can assemble it up to a day in advance and bake it when you’re ready. Just let it sit out for a bit before baking.

Q: Is this dip spicy?

A: Not at all! The cranberry sauce provides a nice tang and sweetness, but there’s no heat unless you choose to add it.

Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a warm, bubbly appetizer perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in. It's incredibly simple to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with its sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

Medium-sized bowl
Small oven-safe dish An 8x8 inch baking dish or a cast-iron skillet works well.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

8 oz Cream cheese, softened Make sure it's at room temperature so it mixes like a dream.
0.5 cup Sour cream Adds a lovely tang and keeps everything super smooth.
0.5 cup Cranberry sauce, cooked Store-bought or homemade, it's all good.
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded Sharp cheddar adds a nice punch.
1 tbsp Brown sugar Just a touch to balance the tartness of the cranberries and add a hint of caramel sweetness.
0.5 tsp Cinnamon A warm spice that pairs beautifully with cranberries.
0.25 tsp Nutmeg Another cozy spice that adds depth to the flavor.
1 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped For a pop of color and freshness to finish it off.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium-sized bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth and creamy.
8 oz Cream cheese, softened
Stir in cranberry sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
8 oz Cream cheese, softened
Spoon the mixture into a small oven-safe dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly around the edges.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
8 oz Cream cheese, softened

Notes

This dip is fantastic with sturdy crackers, baguette slices, apple slices, pear slices, or even pretzels! You can assemble the dip up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before baking when ready, and it might need a few extra minutes to heat through. To reheat leftovers, warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven or microwave.