Cranberry Orange and Cream Cheese Dip
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If you’re looking for an easy holiday appetizer that isn’t overly sweet, this cranberry orange and cream cheese dip is one of my favorites to keep on hand. It’s creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet thanks to powdered sugar, dried fruit, and fresh orange juice.
This dip only takes about 10 minutes to put together, and you can serve it right away or chill it until guests arrive. Scroll down to grab the full recipe card so you can add this cranberry orange cream cheese spread to your next holiday party menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 8 oz Philadelphia cream cheese, softened – Let it sit out at room temp. for about 30 minutes before mixing so it blends smoothly without lumps.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – If you prefer a sweeter dip, increase the powdered sugar to 3/4 cup.
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (about half a fresh orange)
- Zest of half an orange – Always zest the orange before cutting and squeezing it, since zesting a squeezed half is much harder.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup diced dried apricots (chop finely so they mix in evenly)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins are a good option)
- Crackers, for serving
- Fresh mint, for garnish
How to Make Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Dip
Mix the base. In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and ginger. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Fold in the fruit. Gently stir in the diced apricots and cranberries until evenly distributed.
Serve. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh mint, and serve with crackers. You can also cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Make Ahead and Storage Notes
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Serve chilled: This dip is best cold, but letting it sit out for 10 minutes makes it easier for the cream cheese to spread.
- Make ahead: You can prepare it the day before and simply add the mint garnish right before serving so it stays bright and fresh.
- Spread, Dip, or Cheeseball: If you want something more structured, shape it into a small cheeseball, chill, and roll it in chopped pecans before serving. It gives you the same creamy flavor with a little extra crunch in every bite.
Serving Ideas for Cranberry Orange and Cream Cheese Dip
I like setting this dip out with Ritz crackers or Town House crackers since their buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the cream cheese base.
Pretzel Crisps add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness, and apple slices surprisingly go well too.
For brunch, spread it on bagels, croissants, or even English muffins. It makes a nice, sweet option to balance savory dishes.
You can also pair it on a holiday table with cranberry cream cheese spread if you want a second creamy option with a more traditional cranberry flavor.
More Holiday Cranberry Dishes
Cranberries always seem to multiply in my fridge around the holidays, so I find myself working them into a variety of dishes.
Some years that means rolling out cranberry pinwheels for a party tray, other times it’s setting out jellied cranberry sauce with the turkey, or making a sweet side like cranberry fluff salad. For a more traditional take, classic cranberry sauce with orange juice always makes an appearance.
Cranberry Orange and Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice about half an orange
- Zest of half an orange
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup diced dried apricots finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries such as Craisins
- Crackers for serving
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Place softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Letting it sit out for 30 minutes before starting will make it much easier to blend smoothly.
- Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and ground ginger. Beat with a hand mixer until creamy. Always zest the orange before juicing, since it’s harder to zest once it’s been squeezed.
- Fold in the diced apricots and dried cranberries until evenly distributed. Using dried fruit instead of fresh keeps the dip thick and prevents it from turning watery.
- Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with fresh mint. For a sweeter dip, you can increase the powdered sugar to 3/4 cup.
- Serve immediately with crackers, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This recipe doubles easily if you’re hosting a larger group, just use a bigger bowl and serving dish.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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