Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

This easy baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is the perfect holiday appetizer this season. Only a few simple ingredients (cheese, cream cheese, leftover cranberry sauce, cranberries and spices) to this savory hot dip. Ever wondered what to make with leftover cranberry sauce? This is the answer!

This cheese dip is one of my favorite holiday dip recipes! I love that it looks as festive as it tastes and the kids love that it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty!

The holiday season is here and that means a lot of parties, get-togethers and food. From the family Thanksgiving dinner to the “favorite things party” with girlfriends, our calendar is packed. When I need to bring a dish to share, quick and easy recipes are the way to go… like this Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.

We Love Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip!

Our family has a list of recipes that are a tradition every year. It’s not the holidays without our best cheeseball, soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies, peanut butter balls, and the best Christmas cookies ever! So why do we love this savory cranberry dip?

• Easy to make: There are only a few simple ingredients so no running to a million different stores to get what you need.
• Sweet and Cheesy: The tangy flavor of the cranberries are balanced with the savory cheeses and then you get that hint of sweet from the cranberry sauce.
• Everyone Asks For the Recipe: I love that this is the dip we often get asked for the recipe, guests just love it!
• Uses Up Leftovers: I don’t know about you, but I’m often googling “what to make with leftover cranberry sauce” This festive recipe solves that problem!
• Make Ahead: This dip is easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your guests. See more below.

Carrian’s Secret Sandwich!

Not only is this an amazing dip, it’s also to-die-for as a spread for sandwiches or grilled up into a grilled cheese sandwich with ham or turkey. Try it and share on instagram by tagging @ohsweetbasil and #ohsweetbasil.

Ingredients for our Holiday Dip Recipe

• Extra-Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• Cream cheese, softened
• Cranberry Sauce
• Fresh Cranberries, May substitute with frozen, but do not thaw
• Fresh Rosemary (or dried)
• Nutmeg
• Orange zest, optional

How to Make Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

1. Spray a small baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 375.
2. Mix together the cream cheese, 3/4 of the cheeses, nutmeg, orange zest and rosemary.
3. Fold in the cranberries.
4. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
5. Add dollops of the cranberry sauce with a spoon and swirl with the spoon or a knife.
6. Top with remaining shredded cheeses.
7. Bake until bubbly and the edges are browning.

Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip Tips

I like to place some homemade cranberry sauce in a freezer bag and toss it in the freezer around Thanksgiving, so that I can have it already prepared for this dip at Christmas. However, you can also prepare the cranberry sauce in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.

Use good quality white cheddar cheese like Tillamook. Buy a block and shred it yourself for a 10x better taste and gooeyness.

What to Serve With Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

So, what can you use to dip into a cranberry cream cheese dip? You can serve it with crackers, crostini, pita chips or slices or even vegetables.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Lightly coat the inside of a small slow-cooker (3-quart slow cooker is ideal) with a non-stick spray. Prepare the dip ingredients as written in step #2. Add the mixture to the bowl of a slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 1 hour or until heated through and the cheese is melted. In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, add the reserved cheese over the top.

To Make Ahead

Prepare and assemble the dip as written. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Cranberry sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance.

Storing Cranberry Cheese Dip

You can store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.  

Can You Freeze Cranberry Dip?

From my experience, the cream cheese in this dip can turn grainy and the cranberry sauce can become a little watery when reheated from frozen. However, wrapping well in foil and then defrosting in the fridge will help. If frozen, I highly recommend baking to reheat.

How to Reheat Baked Cream Cheese Dip

To reheat your dip in the microwave heat it on high for 30 seconds at a time, or bake, covered with foil at 350 until bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries to make a dip.

Bonus Tip- How to Make Crostini

Do you want to serve it with our favorite accompaniment, crostinis?

Bake on the middle rack for 6 to 9 minutes, until they’re crisp and nicely golden on top. Sprinkle the toasts lightly with salt.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Slice your baguette on the diagonal into crostini pieces no wider than ½-inch. Place slice on a baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil

Variations & Substitutions

I love how versatile this dip is. Try out:

• Jalapeño Cranberry Dip  | Like it spicy? Add two tablespoons of chopped jarred jalapeños or 1 fresh chopped jalapeno to the dip!
• Love nuts? Add ¼ cup of your favorite chopped nuts, pistachios are my favorite!
• Make it indulgent! Crisp up prosciutto to sprinkle all over the dip before serving. It’s so good!

More Holiday Dip Recipes