Cranberry Cream Cheese Appetizer
Brighten up your holiday table or any gathering with this festive Cranberry Cream Cheese Appetizer! This easy yet elegant dish combines the tangy sweetness of homemade cranberry sauce—bursting with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a hint of citrusy freshness—with the creamy richness of softened cream cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, this appetizer is perfect for last-minute entertaining. Serve it alongside crackers or baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing, seasonally inspired treat. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. Transform your starter board with this simple, zesty, and creamy recipe that’s sure to be a hit at any celebration!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh cranberries
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
- 2 tablespoons Fresh orange juice
- 8 ounces Cream cheese
- 12 pieces Crackers or baguette slices
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the fresh cranberries and discard any that are bruised or mushy.
Step 2
In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
Step 3
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries soften and break down, forming a sauce. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
Step 4
Remove the cranberry sauce from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature.
Step 5
While the cranberry sauce is cooling, place the cream cheese on a serving plate and let it soften slightly at room temperature.
Step 6
Once the cranberry sauce has cooled, spoon it evenly over the block or mound of cream cheese.
Step 7
Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top of the cranberry topping for added color and freshness.
Step 8
Serve immediately with crackers or baguette slices on the side.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (923.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2724.4 |
| Total Fat 126.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 51.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g | |
| Cholesterol 229.1mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3116.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 380.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 19.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 131.7g | |
| Protein 39.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 364.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 890.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories