Cranberry Cream Cheese Appetizer
A delightful appetizer featuring creamy cream cheese topped with a sweet and tangy cranberry mixture, perfect for any gathering.
Servings: 2 appetizer bricks
Calories: 300kcal
Ingredients
For the cranberry mixture
- 1 package (12 oz) frozen whole cranberries, thawed OR 1 bag fresh cranberries
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup apricot preserves or jam
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For assembly
- 2 bricks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- to taste buttery crackers or pretzel chips for serving
- to taste Fresh mint to garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, apricot preserves, and water.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil.
- Continue to boil the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the cranberries start to pop and the mixture darkens in color.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped pecans.
- Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate it until it is completely chilled.
- Once chilled, gently press a spoon into the center of each brick of cream cheese to create a small divot.
- Spoon the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese and serve with your choice of buttery crackers or pretzel chips.
Notes
Presentation is key; garnish with fresh mint leaves and arrange the crackers around the cream cheese for serving. This appetizer can be made ahead of time and pairs well with various beverages.