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White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip

by 64 Comments Updated November 18, 2021

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Cranberry dip with white cheddar, cream cheese, homemade cranberry sauce, and fresh cranberries. It’s salty, sweet, and so festive. Plus those cranberries bursting in your mouth is pure heaven!

Love hot dips? Try our Feta Cheese Dip. It’s creamy, spicy, and incredibly easy to make.

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Cranberry Dip

This cranberry dip is salty, sweet, and so festive. It’s made with white cheddar cheese, cream cheese, homemade cranberry sauce, and fresh cranberries.

It’s really easy to put together and is always such a crowd-pleaser! Serve it with homemade toast crisps or crackers of choice.

Close up of cranberry dip on a toasted crostini

Ingredients for White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip

  • White Cheddar Cheese: You’ll need extra-sharp white cheddar for this recipe. It’s going to be tangy with deep flavors. Buy a block and shred it yourself. It tastes 10X better! 
  • Cream Cheese: Regular block of cream cheese. I do not recommend Neufchatel cheese.
  • Cranberry Sauce: I included a really easy cranberry sauce recipe below. It makes enough for this dip, plus extra for later. 
  • Cranberries: I recommend fresh cranberries for this recipe.

How to Make White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip -Step by Step

In a large bowl, mix together the white cheddar and cream cheese. Fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries.

Step by step instruction on how to make cranberry dip

Next, transfer the mixture into a prepared baking dish. Bake in a 375F oven for 18-23 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

Step by step instructions on how to make cranberry dip

Lastly, sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top and place it under a broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it as the cheese burns easily.

To Make Ahead

Prepare and assemble the dip as written. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Cranberry sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance.

Can You Freeze Cranberry Dip?

From my experience, this dip can turn grainy when reheated from frozen. If you’re okay with the texture, then feel free to freeze the leftover dip, otherwise, the dip is best enjoyed immediately.

Extra Tips for Making Cranberry Dip

  • You can prepare the cranberry sauce in advance (I would say a good week out) and store covered in the refrigerator.
  • Use good quality white cheddar cheese. Buy a block and shred it yourself.
  • Keep an eye on the dip, especially after you add the cheddar on top as it burns really easily.
  • This dip is best when served immediately.
Close up of cranberry dip in white baking dish

Slow Cooker Instructions

Lightly coat the inside of a small slow-cooker (3-quart slow cooker is ideal) with a non-stick spray. Prepare the dip ingredients as written in step #2. Add the mixture to the bowl of a slow-cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 1 hour or until heated through and the cheese is melted. In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, add the reserved cheese over the top.

More Cranberry Recipes to Try

Watch How to Make It!

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Close up of cranberry dip on a toasted crostini

White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip

★★★★★ 5 from 14 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

White cheddar cranberry dip with homemade cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries. It’s salty, sweet, and so festive. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups Extra-Sharp White Cheddar cheese,  freshly shredded (2 Tbsp. reserved)
  • 8 oz. block cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries

Cranberry Sauce

  • 1 (12 oz.) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
  • 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat 1 – 1 1/2 quart oven-safe baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the white cheddar and cream cheese. Fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries.
  3. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake 18-23 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. If the dip begins to brown too quickly around the edges, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
  4. Sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of cheddar cheese on top and place under a broiler for few minutes or until the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it as the cheese burns easily.
  5. Best served immediately with crostini, pita crisps, grainy salty crackers, and sweet apple slices.

Cranberry Sauce

  1. Add all ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries burst, about 15-20 minutes. Sauce will thicken and reduce.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Instructions: Lightly coat the inside of a small slow-cooker with non-stick spray. Prepare the dip ingredients as written in step #2. Add the mixture to the bowl of a slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour or until heated through and the cheese is melted. In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, add the reserved cheese over the top.
  • Make Ahead: Cranberry sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. The dip can be mixed and transferred to a baking dish without baking up to 1 day in advance. Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
  • Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce recipe makes enough for this dip plus extra for another batch.
  • Recipe adapted with slight changes from Cooking Stoned

Keywords: cream cheese dip, cheese cranberry dip, holiday, Thanksgiving

 

Comments

  2. Grace Disimino says

    Best Holiday Appetizer Recipe EVER!!
    I’ve been making this recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas since last year and I’ll tell you this, it’s simple to make and It tastes AMAZING. My sister have appetizer dish. On Thanksgiving I had people talking about the appetizer all night longggg and how amazing the dip was. There was None left!! I’m making this for my Christmas party and Christmas night.
    Thank you soo much for such delicious appetizer!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  3. Shelly says

    We love this dip. I make it every year for Christmas. The cranberry sauce makes enough so I freeze the other half and use it for New years. Great recipe

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  4. Julie Emery says

    Hello! I saw in the note it says you will have more cranberry sauce than what the dip calls for. How much sauce do you use for the dip? Thank you!

    Reply

  5. Darcy says

    Made this for Christmas day. I added a jalapeno. It was amazing, without being to spicy. Husband and very picky daughter LOVED it!!! Definitely will make again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  6. Susan says

    The measurements are all wrong. Each ingredient MUST be doubled or fistfights will erupt when the dip is gone. I have been making this (doubled) recipe for a few years and it is always the most popular item on the menu. SO GOOD!! I just made a (double) batch to split between Christmas Eve wine & cheese night and celebrating with the kids (if it lasts).

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  7. Laura says

    Making this for the second year. It’s so amazing that we made it again for Christmas last year, too. I think I can only make this for the holidays, or I would eat so much of it year-round. The recipe says that it’s best served immediately, but I’m here to tell you that it’s just as good warmed up in the microwave the next day!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  9. Curiously yours says

    Does anyone have input as to whether I could put this in a dip crock pot (the small crock pots) to keep warm? I’m supposed to make an app for a teachers appreciation lunch and this looks amazing. I would want to try and keep it warm if I could!

    Reply

    • Katya says

      It’s hard to say for sure but it might turn oily a little since it has cheese in it. If you do try it, please let me know how it turns out for you.

      Reply

      • Melissa says

        I was wondering if I made this in the morning, but put the dish in a crockpot that is raised up with foil and brought to my in-laws for our holiday gathering if it would stay warm since oven space is not an option!

        Reply

  11. Sofia says

    I can’t even descbribe what this is. How it tastes. And how beautiful it is, too. I think the best way is saying that I tried it for Valentine’s Day and two days later I was making it again, for a family meeting. And tomorrow here I go again, so… Yes. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. The softness of the cheese, the light acidity of the cranberries, the sweetness of the sauce… It’s perfect. It will become (it already did, I guess) a staple in our house! <3

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Katya says

      I would use something that can hold up to a hot dip. Trader Joe’s has pita bite crackers and they would work great. You can make your own bread crisps by slicing a baguette really thin, brushing with olive oil, and baking until crisp.

      Reply

  15. Angie says

    This dip is amazing! Wondering if it can be frozen? Wanting to prep and get ahead for the holidays.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  16. Ann Marie says

    One of my favorites!!! I could eat this all day. Some of this, on sourdough bread with turkey to make a grilled cheese the next day = perfection! You will NOT Be disappointed!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  17. Brooke says

    When you indicate fresh cranberries in addition to the sauce does this mean real whole uncooked cranberries or dried cranberries? Also- is this better served warm or room temp?

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  18. Jen says

    This looks delicious! Been looking for a yummy and unique appetizer to contribute on Thanksgiving and I think this will be it! I am travelling about 40 minutes away and don’t want to ask the host to use their oven. Do you think I could bake it at home, and reheat in the microwave at my destination? Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Katya says

      Hi Jen, I don’t think it will reheat very well. In my experience, it gets oily on top even though it still tastes fine but doesn’t look too appetizing. It’s best if served immediately after baking. Sorry…probably not the answer you wanted!

      Reply

  20. Becca says

    I told my mom I’d make cranberry sauce and a dip this year for thanksgiving. So glad I stumbled across this recipe! I just have one question: what size bowl should I use? I might have to buy one and want to get the right size. Thanks!

    Reply

  21. Ashley Buzzard says

    I know this is an older post, but I found your recipe on Pinterest and thought I would ‘test it out’ before the holidays. OH MY Yum! It is so good ! Turned out perfect 🙂 only sub was I added a dash of ground clove to the cranberry sauce (just a personal preference). Thanks for the recipe! This will be a go to quick recipe for holiday get togethers.

    Reply

  28. Julia says

    Heck to the yes, homemade cranberry sauce for the win! I never liked cranberry sauce as a kid because my parents always used the canned stuff… le eww! This dip looks absolutely fabulous! Since Thanksgiving is only 4 weeks away, I had better start “testing” the dip now, right?!

    Reply

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