This cheese dip is one of my all-time favorite recipes! I make it every year for the holidays, and my family requests it at every gathering. There’s just something about the sweet, tangy flavors and creamy texture that never disappoints.

Cranberry dip in white baking dish. this recipe
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“I’ve been making this for years, and someone asks me for the recipe every time. Delicious! Thank you 😊” – Holly

“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.” – Grace

It looks and tastes so gourmet, but it comes together fairly quickly with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, there’s a slow cooker option that I like to utilize when preparing a big feast!

Then, all you have to do is combine the ingredients and let the slow cooker do all the hard work. I always start it in the morning and put it out for guests to snack on while I prepare the rest of our meal, and I’m hard pressed to have any leftovers.

Not only do my friends and family love this dip, but readers do, too! In fact, this cranberry cheese dip remains one of the most popular recipes on the site all year long, maintaining a five-star rating and raving reviews.

We Love Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip!

  • Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a tasty appetizer ready in no time. Just like this Feta Cheese Dip. 
  • Definite crowd-pleaser: The tangy flavor of the white cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cranberry sauce. It’s a combination that everyone loves, and your guests will be asking for the recipe.
  • Very versatile: You can serve it with crackers, Swiss bread, cheesy popovers, or even vegetables. It’s also a great spread for sandwiches.
  • Perfect for the holidays: It’s festive and has all the flavors of the season. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your guests.
Close up of cranberry dip on a toasted crostini.

Cranberry Dip Recipe Ingredients

  • 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 Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

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

cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and cranberries in a glass bowl.

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

cranberry cheddar dip in a casserole dish topped with cheese.

3. Lastly, sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top and place it under a broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Prep Tip! After you add the cheese on top, 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.

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.

Cranberry Dip Variations

  • Spicy: Add some heat to your dip by adding diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes. The spiciness will balance out the sweetness of the cranberries and give your dip a little kick.
  • Herbed: Some fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage will give it a savory twist. The herbs will add depth of flavor and make your dip taste more complex.
  • Candied pecan: Add some crunch to your dip by adding candied pecans or walnuts. The sweetness of the nuts will complement the tartness of the cranberries and give your dip a nice texture.

Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip Tips

  • 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.

Storing Cranberry Cheese Dip

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.  

To reheat your dip in the microwave heat it on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it’s heated through. 

Be careful not to overheat it, as this can cause the cheese to separate and become greasy.

Once your dip is heated through, give it a quick stir and serve it immediately with your favorite crackers or bread.

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.

Close up of cranberry dip in white baking dish.

Video: How to Make White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip

Recipe FAQs

What kinds of cheese can I use to make cranberry dip?

You can use other types of cheese such as cream cheese, brie, or goat cheese. It’s best to experiment with different types of cheese to find the one that suits your taste.

What can you use to dip into this cranberry dip? 

Some great options to use as dippers include crostini, grain crackers, artisan crackers, or pita chips. 

Should I use fresh or frozen cranberries to make a dip?

You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries to make a dip. Fresh cranberries are only available during the fall and winter months, while frozen cranberries can be found year-round.

You May Also Like

Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti Recipe

Cranberry Coffee Cake

Crunchy Granola Recipe

Butternut Squash and Cranberry Quinoa Salad

If you try White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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Close up of cranberry dip on a toasted crostini

White Cheddar and Cranberry Dip

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 19 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • 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

Units 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.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 307
  • Sugar: 5.6 g
  • Sodium: 365.6 mg
  • Fat: 25.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Protein: 11.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 75.5 mg