Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a delightful and creamy appetizer combining smooth cream cheese, tangy cranberry flavors, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, it offers a warm, cheesy dip with bursts of fresh and canned cranberries, accented by rosemary and garlic powder for a savory touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Cranberries
- ½ cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
- ⅔ cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, crushed dried rosemary, and garlic powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the canned whole berry cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries into the cheese mixture, ensuring the berries are dispersed without breaking them up too much.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the cranberry cream cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the edges start to brown and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Warm: Remove the dip from the oven and serve immediately while hot, paired with crackers, sliced bread, or pita chips for dipping.
Notes
- Room temperature cream cheese ensures a smooth and creamy dip.
- You can substitute fresh rosemary if preferred, finely chopped instead of dried.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of finely chopped green onions or chives.
- If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen ones can be used—thaw and drain excess liquid before folding into the dip.
- Serve with sturdy dippers like multigrain crackers or toasted baguette slices to hold the warm dip.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving again.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (approximately 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, Cream Cheese Dip, Holiday Appetizer, Cranberry Cheese Dip, Mozzarella Dip, Festive Dip
