When it comes to cranberries, you are probably either a lover or a hater. I happen to fall in the first group and adore the cranberry flavors that are abundant this time of year.
In the not too distant past, I couldn’t get enough of the jellied cranberry sauce that looked exactly like a can once it was poured onto a plate. It may not have looked super appetizing, but I didn’t care. I thought it was fantastic and devoured it without a single complaint.
My palate has become a little more sophisticated since then, thanks to years experimenting in the kitchen. Now I tend to avoid canned foods in favor of their fresh counterparts that provide an entirely new dimension of flavor and texture.
This creamy cranberry orange dip fits the fresh and delicious bill nicely. The cranberry and citrus flavors are not overpowering but blend nicely with the subtle spiciness of cinnamon and nutmeg. It is sweet, but not too sweet, and is pretty much like a party in your mouth.
If you want to skip your holiday parties and stay home, this dip will provide a suitable replacement, Plus, you won’t even have to get dressed up or leave the warmth and comfort of your home. You can simply enjoy a little cranberry goodness while listening to the music of White Christmas. A little Bing Crosby lifts my Christmas spirit every time.
I may or may not have sat down with a bowl of this dip and a spoon, indulging in all of its creamy goodness without actually dipping anything. Feel free to do that because there is no judgment here. (Except I will think you are awesome if you like it that much.)
I did design it, however, to be a fruit dip, so pair it with your favorite fresh fruit and go to town. And, if you are like me, skip the fruit and go straight for the pretzels. Their salty crunch combined with the sweet and slightly tart smoothness of the dip will make your taste buds go wild.
Take your Christmas snacking to the next level and give it a try. It is totally healthy because it contains real fruit. And if you dip fruit into it, the nutrition jumps a couple of levels until it is in the same league as broccoli.
Just sayin.
And guess what? You can make this gourmet holiday goodness in approximately 5 minutes. It is super-duper easy and only requires a few ingredients. Try some today!
Creamy Cranberry Orange Dip
Prep
Total
Yield 2 cups
Take your holiday snacking to the next level with this creamy dip featuring the mouthwatering flavors of cranberry and citrus. Dip your fruit and pretzels like they are going out of style.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 TBSP orange zest (from approximately one medium orange)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Beat sour cream and softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Pour cranberry mixture into cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined.
- Serve with fresh fruit or, my personal favorite, pretzels.
