The Perfect Festive Starter
I don’t know about you, but I love a cheesy appetizer for Christmas and this Christmas cranberry cream cheese spread is just the ticket. It looks beautiful sitting on the counter when guests arrive and is so simple to make. It’s cheesy and tangy from the cream cheese, tart from the cranberry sauce, and herby from the chives.
My family loves a cranberry appetizer, usually with brie or any other kind of cheese. The red cranberries look so Christmasy and everyone loves the taste! It’s exactly what’s needed at every holiday party. Whether it’s a starter before dinner or as a snack for an open house.
The Supplies
Ingredients
To make this Christmas cranberry cream cheese spread, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
- Cranberry sauce
- Chopped fresh chives
- Flaky salt
- Crackers, for serving
For the exact ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Equipment
In order to make this Christmas cranberry cream cheese spread, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoon
- Handheld mixer
- Offset spatula
- Cutting board and knife
Frequent Recipe Questions
Can I make this recipe in advance?
- A: Definitely! Prepare the dish as instructed and then wrap the serving dish with plastic wrap. Store the cranberry cream cheese spread in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours in advance.
Is it ok to substitute dried chives for the fresh chopped chives?
- A: The fresh chives will have a stronger, fresher flavor, but you can substitute if you need to. Adjust the measurement to 2 teaspoons of dried chives to mix into the cream cheese spread.
Recipe Details
Come Christmas-time, having an easy appetizer to pull together in the fridge is clutch. For me, this is that appetizer. There’s always extra cranberry sauce sitting around, plus it’s never a bad idea to have some extra cream cheese in the fridge just in case. Right before having people over, or even a couple hours in advance, this recipe pulls together in a handful of minutes.
All you need to do is whip the cream cheese and cream until it’s combined and a little bit fluffier. The chives give just the right bite, plus the green feels perfectly festive. Mix the chives in to evenly incorporate them throughout the cream cheese. Use a butter knife or spoon to spread the cream cheese across a serving plate. Top the cream cheese with cranberry sauce and sprinkle extra chives on top. This can sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving, just cover it in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge.
If you make this Christmas cranberry cream cheese spread recipe, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating – I can’t wait to hear how it goes. As always, tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook in your photos. It makes me feel like we’re getting to cook together!
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Christmas Cranberry and Cream Cheese Cracker Spread
Description
A simple, Christmas cranberry cream cheese spread that looks and tastes like the holidays. It's a low stress dish to serve for the holidays!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Place the softened cream cheese and cream or milk in a medium sized bowl. Whisk using a handheld mixer until the cream cheese is light and fluffy and the cream is incorporated.
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Add the chopped chives and the pinch of slat into the cream cheese and mix until evenly incorporated.
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Spread the cream cheese onto a serving dish. Pour the cranberry sauce over the cream cheese and use the back of a spoon to spread the cranberries as a second layer.
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Sprinkle extra chopped chives on top and serve with your favorite crackers!
