Description
A festive and creamy cranberry orange pecan cream cheese dip that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. It combines tangy fresh cranberries, zesty orange, crunchy pecans, and smooth cream cheese for a deliciously refreshing and easy-to-make appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Fruit & Nuts
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (chopped)
- 1/2 cup pecans (chopped)
Flavorings
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Combine Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer or spatula to blend until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps for a silky texture.
- Fold in Ingredients: Add the chopped cranberries, chopped pecans, orange zest, fresh orange juice, and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together until evenly combined, taking care to distribute the fruit and nuts evenly without overmixing.
- Transfer and Garnish: Transfer the dip to a serving dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Optionally, garnish with additional chopped pecans or a few whole cranberries for an attractive presentation.
- Chill the Dip: Place the dip in the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the consistency to firm up slightly. This step is optional but recommended for best flavor.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry orange pecan cream cheese dip chilled with your choice of crackers, toasted bread, or fresh fruit such as apple slices or pear wedges for dipping.
- Make Ahead: Consider preparing this dip a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve to deepen the flavors and save time on party day.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother dip.
- Fresh cranberries can be substituted with thawed frozen cranberries if fresh are not available.
- For a nut-free option, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like pumpkin seeds.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar depending on your taste preference.
- Ensure to chop cranberries and pecans finely to create a uniform texture in the dip.
- This dip pairs well with a variety of dippers including crackers, crostini, or fresh fruit slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook, mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: holiday appetizer, cranberry dip, orange cream cheese dip, pecan cream cheese, festive dip, easy party appetizer
