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8 oz cream cheese, softened Recipe

8 oz cream cheese, softened Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 18 reviews
  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. It features a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and tangy cooked cranberry sauce, baked to bubbly perfection with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This easy-to-make dip combines smooth, tangy, and sweet flavors with a golden melted cheese topping, making it a crowd-pleasing starter for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked cranberry sauce (or whole berry sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Optional Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip evenly.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked cranberry sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the mixture into a baking dish, smoothing the top for even baking and presentation.
  4. Bake the Dip: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the top turns golden brown.
  5. Add Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and optionally sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a festive touch before serving. Serve warm with crackers, toasted crostini, or breadsticks.

Notes

  • For best results, soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing.
  • You can prepare the mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • Serve with a variety of dippers such as crackers, toasted crostini, or breadsticks for different textures.
  • Add fresh rosemary or extra cranberries around the dish for enhanced holiday presentation.
  • Adjust sweetness by modifying brown sugar amount to suit your taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of dip (about 1/4 cup)
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: cranberry cream cheese dip, baked cranberry dip, holiday appetizer, festive dip, cream cheese appetizer, cranberry sauce dip

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Find it online: https://mealsbylana.com/8-oz-cream-cheese-softened-recipe/