Servings
Font
Back
4.6 from 132 votes

Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Dip {Sweet or Spicy}

Enjoy something delicious and satisfying with this easy-to-make recipe.

Prep Time
12 hrs 10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
12 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • About 1 ½ About 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
  • ⅓ to ½ to ½ cup granulated sugar (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup apricot jam peach jam, or jalapeno/hot pepper jelly (for a subtly spicy version)
  • ½ cup chopped, toasted pecans (see note)
  • 8 to 12 to 12 ounces cream cheese softened
  • crackers for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. Spread softened cream cheese in a shallow dish or plate. Top with the cranberry dip mixture. Serve with crackers.

Notes

  • Sweet/Tart: the amount of sugar you choose to use is dependent on how tart you want the overall cranberry dip to be and also the brand/type of jam you are using. If the jam you use is already quite sweet or you like a more sweet/tart contrast, you may want to add the lower amount of sugar.
  • Doubling the Recipe: this dip easily doubles (but it makes a lot!). A doubled batch would easily spread over 2-3 packages of cream cheese. A lot depends on the cream cheese to cranberry dip ratio you want.
  • Pecans: I stir the pecans in before refrigerating, but if you want a bit more crunch in the dip (the pecans soften just slightly if stirred in to the hot mixture), you might try stirring the toasted pecans in right before serving. Also, here's an easy tutorial on toasting nuts in the microwave.

Nutrition Information

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% 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.