Looking for small batch recipes this holiday? Or ways to use up leftovers? This appetizer nails both because not only is it perfectly sized for a single family, it also use up the one thing I always seem to have left over – cranberry sauce.

This dip is only 4 ingredients and is super easy to put together. It’s also a beautiful balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy and the beautiful color from the cranberries makes it look at home on any holiday table.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Directions
• More recipes using cranberries
• Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 oz. sharp white cheddar, shredded
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 2/3 cup fresh cranberries

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce – but if you know you’ll have extra, don’t wait! I make my cranberry sauce a few days ahead of Thanksgiving so that I can swipe some for this dish.

Cranberry sauce also freezes well! If you have leftover after Thanksgiving dinner, pop it in the freezer and make this for Christmas!

I sized this recipe for our family of 4 – we had just a little leftover once we went to town on it – but if you’re serving 1-2, I’d suggest halving the recipe and baking in a ramakin.

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a small baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
• Freshly grate the white cheddar and set 2 Tablespoons of it aside. Combine the remaining cheddar with the cream cheese until well combined.
• Fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries.
• Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Switch the oven to the broiler and sprinkle reserved cheddar over the top.
• Broil until it starts to turn golden around the edges.
• Remove from oven and let sit for at least five minutes before serving.

This dip is incredibly easy to throw together, but if you want one less thing on your plate, you can also prep it ahead. Assemble as directed but instead of popping it into the oven, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and put the reserved cheddar in a zipper bag.

When ready to cook, bake as directed – you may need to add a minute or two to the cook time but otherwise everything will be the same!

Tuesday Cranberry Recipes

Cranberries are a must-include in the holiday menu for me – for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re looking for some new inspiration for this year’s table, here’s a dose of inspiration:

• Baked Cranberry & White Cheddar Dip by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Broccoli Salad with Almonds and Cranberries by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Cranberry Baked Brie by Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
• Cranberry Cinnamon Snack Mix by Sweet Beginnings
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread by Making Miracles
• Cranberry Focaccia by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Cranberry Ginger Tea by Magical Ingredients
• Cranberry Moscow Mule by Our Crafty Cocktails
• Cranberry Pecan Sourdough Bread by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Cranberry Sausage Balls by Palatable Pastime
• Cranberry White Chocolate Cupcakes by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Cranberry Whiskey Sour by Family Around the Table
• Turkey, Cranberry Grilled Cheese by Our Good Life

Recipe

Baked Cranberry and White Cheddar Dip

Yield: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

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Ingredients

• 8 oz. sharp white cheddar, shredded
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 2/3 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a small baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Freshly grate the white cheddar and set 2 Tablespoons of it aside. Combine the remaining cheddar with the cream cheese until well combined.
3. Fold in the cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries.
4. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. Switch the oven to the broiler and sprinkle reserved cheddar over the top.
7. Broil until it starts to turn golden around the edges.
8. Remove from oven and let sit for at least five minutes before serving.

Notes

Adapted from Little Broken