Description
Homemade cranberry mozzarella delight brings Italian and American flavors together in one spectacular appetizer. Crisp herbs, tangy cranberries, and creamy cheese create a perfect balance that will make guests crave more at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheeses:
- 2 packages (16 ounces / 454 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Cranberry Components:
- ½ cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce
- ⅔ cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, utilize an electric mixer to whip the cream cheese until silky and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate two-thirds of the mozzarella cheese into the cream cheese, blending in dried rosemary and garlic powder until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Delicately introduce whole berry cranberry sauce and fresh cranberries into the cheese mixture, gently folding to maintain the berries’ integrity.
- Smoothly transfer the creamy mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Scatter the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a uniform layer of golden potential.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, watching for the edges to transform into a rich, golden-brown hue.
- Remove from the oven and allow the dip to settle for a few minutes before serving, which will help it maintain its creamy consistency.
Notes
- Perfect for Holiday Gatherings: This festive cranberry mozzarella dip combines sweet and savory flavors that will wow your guests at any celebration.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy this warm, cheesy dip with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetable sticks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: Takes less than 40 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal last-minute party dish or unexpected treat.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Loaded with two types of cheese and a tangy cranberry twist, this recipe delivers rich, creamy comfort in every bite.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and quickly baked just before serving, reducing stress during entertaining.
- Flexible Ingredient Swaps: Experiment with different herbs or add a sprinkle of chopped nuts on top for extra texture and flavor variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg