Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
This lighter Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip offers a sweet and tangy flavor perfect for holiday gatherings and appetizer spreads. Made with low-fat cream cheese, Greek yogurt, fresh cranberries, and optional nuts and spices, it is quick to prepare and serves as a festive dip with crackers, pretzels, or sliced apples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups of dip 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 8 oz low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
For Serving
- Assorted crackers, pretzels, or sliced apples
- Fresh herbs (like mint or parsley) for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients. Soften the low-fat cream cheese by microwaving it for 10–15 seconds if needed to make mixing easier.
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese for 1–2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Mix in Greek Yogurt: Stir in the Greek yogurt until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Prepare Cranberries: Chop fresh cranberries or thaw and drain frozen cranberries; then add them to the mixture.
- Add Nuts: If using, chop the pecans or walnuts and fold them into the dip.
- Season the Dip: Add vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and salt; mix everything until cranberries and nuts are evenly distributed.
- Chill the Dip: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover it, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, preferably overnight for best taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, stir the dip again and garnish with additional chopped nuts, whole cranberries, and fresh herbs if desired.
- Accompany: Serve the dip with your choice of crackers, pretzels, or sliced apples for a delightful appetizer.
Notes
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped jalapeños to the dip.
- You can substitute cranberries with chopped apples, pears, or dried fruits for a different flavor profile.
- Using low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt lightens the dip without compromising creaminess and flavor.
Keywords: Cranberry Dip, Cream Cheese Dip, Holiday Appetizer, Low Fat Dip, No-Bake Dip, Festive Snacks, Christmas Appetizer
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/cranberry-cream-cheese-dip-recipe/
