Soak your dried cranberries in orange juice or lemon juice for some added sweetness. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of cumin to the mixture for extra flavour. Adding jalapenos is also an option if you aren't making this with kids in mind.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

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This cranberry cream cheese dip shaped as a christmas bauble is the perfect starter. Filled with all the flavours of Christmas and super simple to make, it's perfect for when you are asked to bring a plate. Not only does it look amazing, but it tastes great too and with only 4 ingredients, it's quick and easy to get done. Making this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip will help you to get more organised for Christmas and is the perfect appetizer. It would also be awesome on a thanksgiving table.

cranberry cream cheese dip on a platter surrounded by crackers and charcuterie

Contents hide

1 Why you're going to love this recipe

2 What goes into the recipe

3 How to make this recipe

4 Expert Tips and FAQs

5 More dip and cracker ideas

6 Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Why you're going to love this recipe

Christmas gatherings play out like this: "What can I bring?"

"Nothing, just yourselves."

That means bring this dip. It means your friend has seen this recipe for the cream cheese Christmas bauble and they want you to bring it. Macadamia and cranberry are synonymous with Christmas and with the subtle green of the chives you are onto a winner.

Here's why you're going to love this recipe:

simultaneously sweet and savoury
crowd pleaser
can be made in advance and even frozen
looks Christmassy
great on a charcuterie board
it's perfect with crackers, cold meats, dried fruits, fruit and breadsticks on a platter
makes for an awesome centrepiece for any entertaining
no need to use a food processor or blender

What goes into the recipe

cream cheese- the block not the spreadable, or it will end up a soggy mess
macadamias- unroasted, because you are going to be toasting them yourself, it adds to the freshness of the dish and is also a great way to control the colour in the dip
chives- using fresh chives gives this a burst of green. Swap for green onion if you don't have any, or even cilantro coriander or parsley will work
cranberries- dried cranberries give a festive vibe and add a sweet element to the dip
if you feel like you would like it to be saltier- sprinkle some salt in while mixing

How to make this recipe

Preheat oven to 180 degrees (355f)
Place the macadamias on a tray and bake for 10 minutes.
Place the cranberries in a jug and cover with boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and allow to cool.
Remove the macadamias from the oven and chop. Allow to cool.
Combine the cheese, cranberries, nuts and chives in a bowl and mix well.
Line a small bowl with clingfilm, (leave it hanging over the sides) and push the mixture into the bowl.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until solid.
Remove from the bowl with the clingfilm and place on your serving platter then remove the clingfilm.

Expert Tips and FAQs

Can I swap the nuts in this recipe?

If you want to replace the nuts in this, then use some pepitas, and roast them for about 5-7 minutes.

How long will this dip keep for?

I keep it for maximum three days in the fridge, but it can also be frozen tightly wrapped for up to a month.

How can I make it even more fancy?

If you want to be super fancy you can toast some extra nuts and press them to the outside, but to me, it's pretty good as it is!

What else can you put on a festive cheese platter?

We love smoked cheddar and it makes for a different flavour profile as it is much stronger. I like to always have camembert or brie on a platter as they are crowd favourites, prosciutto, gouda, because it rolls really nicely and is super yummy, strawberries, because they add to the festive look. Goat cheese is also a favourite.

Then a few different crackers, the classic water cracker pretty much always makes an appearance, pita chips, and breadsticks are a favourite with the kids as well as the adults. My rule of thumb is to make it look like a bento box!

Can I use fresh cranberries?

Go for it! I'm jealous is you can find them, as they aren't grown here!

Want more flavour?

Soak your dried cranberries in orange juice or lemon juice for some added sweetness.

Add a ½ teaspoon of cumin to the mixture for extra flavour.

Adding jalapenos is also an option if you aren't making this with kids in mind.

More dip and cracker ideas

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