Our Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is one of those simple appetizers that we like to keep in our back pocket for any holiday gathering because it’s quick, easy and delicious!
This dip is made with fresh cranberries, sugar, apricot jam, pecans, and cream cheese. The cranberry mixture bakes until softened, chills overnight for the best flavor, then gets poured over cream cheese for an easy party dip that guests love.
This is definitely one we like to bust out for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and serve it with an assortment of crackers and veggies. We especially love that it can be made ahead of time, which is always a win when we’re trying to get appetizers ready before guests arrive.
Serve this dip with more of our favorite appetizers like Potato Skins, Crock Pot Meatballs, and our festive Veggie Christmas Tree.
Why You’ll Love It + Why it works:
- Appetizer Perfection: Sweet and tangy cranberry dip that is perfect for holiday parties.
- Extra Easy: Great make-ahead appetizer because the cranberry mixture chills overnight.
- Baking Softens the Cranberries: The cranberries and sugar cook together until the berries break down and become saucy.
- Chilling Blends the Flavors: Refrigerating overnight helps the cranberry, apricot, and pecan mixture taste even better.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries (1 package, 12 ounces): Adds tart flavor, bright color, and the festive base for the dip.
- White sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the cranberries and helps them bake into a saucy topping.
- Apricot jam (1 cup): Adds fruity sweetness and gives the cranberry mixture a glossy, spreadable texture.
- Chopped pecans (1 cup): Adds crunch, nutty flavor, and texture.
- Cream cheese (1 package, 8 ounces): Creates the creamy base that balances the sweet and tart cranberry topping.
How to Make Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
CRANBERRY SAUCE. In an 8×8 baking dish, add cranberries and sugar and mix to combine. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and stir in jam and pecans.
CHILL. Refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
SERVE. When ready to serve, pour the cranberry mixture over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers and pretzels.
Alternative Serving Suggestions!
You can even use the cranberry sauce to spread in a Baked Brie Pastry, Cranberry Brie Bites, or Brie Phyllo Tarts. This dip also makes the perfect spread for sandwiches – like this Cranberry Turkey Sandwich.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil so the cranberries soften and cook evenly.
- Stir in the apricot jam and pecans while the cranberry mixture is still warm so everything blends together well.
- Chill the cranberry mixture overnight for the best flavor and texture.
- Let the cream cheese soften slightly before serving so it is easier to scoop.
- Make-ahead tip: prepare the cranberry topping a day or two ahead, then pour it over cream cheese right before serving.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup apricot jam
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In an 8×8 baking dish, add cranberries and sugar and mix to combine. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and stir in jam and pecans.
- Refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.
- When ready to serve, pour over a block of cheese and serve with crackers and pretzels.
Notes
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil so the cranberries soften and cook evenly.
- Stir in the apricot jam and pecans while the cranberry mixture is still warm so everything blends together well.
- Chill the cranberry mixture overnight for the best flavor and texture.
- Let the cream cheese soften slightly before serving so it is easier to scoop.
- Make-ahead tip: prepare the cranberry topping a day or two ahead, then pour it over cream cheese right before serving.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
The cranberry sauce is best when the flavors have time to blend together. Make the sauce up to 2 days ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Place the cranberry cream cheese dip recipe into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Once the sauce has baked, allow it to cool before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Stir to recombine the ingredients and pour over the cream cheese.
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This recipe was first shared December, 2023.
This Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a crowd-pleaser! It’s so simple, this tasty dip disappeared fast at our family gathering.
This is one of my go-to game day recipes! So rich and flavorful! Highly recommended!
So easy and so pretty! I am making this again tomorrow for a party and again for Christmas Eve! It’s THAT yummy!