Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip {Sweet or Spicy}
User Reviews
4.6
Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip {Sweet or Spicy}
Description
The dip begins by simmering fresh cranberries with sugar and water until the berries burst and soften, creating a tart-sweet base. After cooking, apricot, peach jam, or jalapeño pepper jelly is stirred in to add sweetness or mild heat, along with chopped toasted pecans for texture. This mixture is chilled to allow flavors to meld.
At serving, soft cream cheese is spread on a plate or shallow dish and topped with the cranberry-pecan mixture, creating a layered dip combining creamy, tart, sweet, and nutty elements. The toasted pecans add crunch and a toasty note that complements the fruit.
The sugar amount can be adjusted to balance tartness based on jam sweetness and personal preference. The dip can be doubled for larger gatherings, scaling cream cheese and topping accordingly. Toasted pecans can also be stirred into the hot mixture or added just before serving to vary the crunch.
Ingredients
- About 1 ½ About 1 ½ cups cranberries fresh
- ⅓ to ½ to ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup apricot jam peach jam, or jalapeno/hot pepper jelly (for a subtly spicy version)
- ½ cup pecans chopped, toasted
- 8 to 12 to 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often, and cook until the cranberries pop and soften a bit, about 10 minutes.
- Off the heat, stir in the jam and pecans (see note). Let the dip cool; refrigerate 8-12 hours so the flavors develop and blend (I'm sure you can serve it sooner than that, but it'll be yummier if you can wait).
- Spread softened cream cheese in a shallow dish or plate. Top with the cranberry dip mixture. Serve with crackers.
Notes
- Adjust sugar according to desired tartness and the sweetness of your chosen jam or jelly.
- The recipe can be doubled easily but will require more cream cheese and cranberry topping to maintain balance.
- Toast pecans before chopping and add them to either the hot mixture before chilling for a softer crunch or just before serving to keep pecans crisper.
- To toast nuts in the microwave, heat at medium power in short bursts, stirring in between until fragrant.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 216kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 98mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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