Description
A festive and tangy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip combining sweetened cranberries, apricot preserves, and crunchy pecans layered over smooth cream cheese, perfect for holiday parties or appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Mixture
- 12 oz frozen whole cranberries (no sugar added), thawed
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup apricot preserves or jam
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Dip Base
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened (2 bricks, 8 oz each)
For Serving
- Buttery crackers or pretzel chips
- Fresh mint to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberry Mixture: Add the thawed cranberries, white sugar, apricot preserves, and water to a large saucepan.
- Heat Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Simmer and Cook: Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes while stirring continuously, until the cranberries pop open and the color darkens, and the mixture becomes frothy with sizzling sounds.
- Add Pecans: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped pecans.
- Cool the Mixture: Let the cranberry mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Base: Gently press a spoon into the center of the softened cream cheese to create a small well or divot.
- Assemble the Dip: Spoon the cooled cranberry and pecan mixture over the cream cheese, spreading evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh mint if desired and serve immediately with buttery crackers or pretzel chips.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Use no sugar added cranberries to control sweetness; adjust sugar if using sweetened cranberries.
- Apricot preserves can be substituted with any other fruit jam like orange or peach for different flavor profiles.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with chopped seeds or omit entirely.
- Refrigerate the dip for at least 2 hours before serving for best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
