Description
Festive holiday dip featuring cranberry and white cheddar brings elegant flavors to seasonal gatherings. Creamy cheese blends perfectly with tart cranberries, creating a delightful appetizer you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Accent Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh cranberries (optional, for extra tartness)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish)
Seasoning:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Serving:
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Fresh bread
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese base by blending cream cheese, white cheddar, sour cream, thyme, salt, and pepper into a silky, uniform mixture.
- Select an oven-safe dish and evenly distribute the creamy cheese blend across its surface.
- Layer cranberry sauce gently over the cheese mixture, creating a vibrant marbled effect.
- Scatter fresh whole cranberries across the top to enhance visual appeal and add a burst of tangy flavor.
- Position the dish in a preheated 350°F oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform for 15-20 minutes.
- Watch for telltale signs of readiness: bubbling edges, softened cranberries, and a golden, slightly puffy surface.
- Carefully remove the dip from the oven and let it rest briefly to stabilize its temperature.
- Enhance the presentation by drizzling honey in elegant swirls across the surface.
- Sprinkle additional fresh thyme leaves as a final aromatic garnish.
- Serve immediately alongside crisp crackers, toasted crostini, or warm artisan bread slices for an irresistible holiday appetizer.
Notes
- Swap cream cheese for Greek yogurt to reduce fat and add protein, perfect for health-conscious guests.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably, ensuring a burst of seasonal flavor in every bite.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before baking to maintain optimal texture and temperature.
- Create a gluten-free version by serving with gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks for added crunch and dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg