Description
This Cranberry Dip is a festive, creamy appetizer layered with sweet-tart cranberries, apricot jam, and crunchy pecans over a soft cream cheese base. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it’s easy to prepare and bursts with bright flavor and color.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup apricot jam
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the Cranberries: Combine cranberries and sugar in a covered 2-quart baking dish. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the cranberries pop and release their juices.
- Mix the Flavors: Remove from the oven and stir in apricot jam and chopped pecans. Allow the mixture to cool, then refrigerate overnight to let the flavors blend beautifully.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese: Before serving, let the cream cheese come to room temperature and place it on a serving dish.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese and serve with crackers, pretzels, or pita chips.
Notes
Make this Cranberry Dip ahead of time; the flavors develop even more after a night in the fridge. For a spicy twist, add diced jalapeños before chilling. Use whipped cream cheese for a lighter texture and garnish with lime zest or chopped pecans before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked & Chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 103
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: cranberry dip, cranberry jalapeño dip, cranberry cream cheese dip, easy holiday appetizer, cranberry dip recipe