Category: Thanskgiving

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry cream cheese dip is an easy appetizer everyone will love! Homemade sauce has bright, sweet tart flavor (add jalapeno…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Cranberry cream cheese dip is an easy appetizer everyone will love! Homemade sauce has bright, sweet tart flavor (add jalapeno if you like).

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Need a simple appetizer to wow at parties? Try this easy cranberry cream cheese dip! The homemade sauce bursts with sweet and tart cranberries, orange juice, and if you’d like, a little jalapeno for a tang. Spoon it over cream cheese and it’s perfect for dipping crackers or even apple slices. It comes together in minutes with minimal effort. So ditch the store-bought dips and make a batch of this homemade cranberry appetizer for your next party! Everyone will gather around the bowl.

Components for cranberry cream cheese dip

Cranberry cream cheese dip is cranberry sauce served over room temperature cream cheese, which brings a sweet tart burst to each bite. We like serving with crunchy salted pecans over the top for a little texture. While you can make this dip with canned cranberry sauce, the flavor isn’t nearly as good. It takes just a few minutes to whip up homemade cranberry sauce and the flavor is beautifully developed, with notes of orange and cinnamon. Here’s what you’ll need for this easy dip:

  • Cranberry sauce: Cranberries (fresh or frozen), granulated sugar, orange juice (or water), jalapeno pepper (optional)
  • Cream cheese
  • Pecans
  • Green onion
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Tips for making the cranberry sauce

This cranberry sauce is a half recipe of our homemade cranberry sauce, with some optional ingredients. It takes just 10 minutes to simmer, and the flavor comes out beautifully bright. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Simmer all ingredients over medium heat until a saucy texture forms. The timing will vary based on your pan and the exact heat level, but it should take about 10 minutes. We like to see most cranberries burst and dissolved, but there can be a few that are still whole.
  • Substitutes are welcome. Don’t have orange juice? You can use water instead if you like.
  • Add orange zest if desired. When you zest the orange, make sure to only get the orange part of the peel: not the white pith! The pith tastes very bitter and if you zest too aggressively, it makes the cranberry sauce taste bitter.
  • Use jalapeno if desired, but it’s not required. The jalapeno pepper adds just a hint of bright flavor without heat.
Cranberry Sauce

Jalapeno is optional (and not spicy!)

Cranberry and jalapeño pepper is a classic flavor combination. This cranberry cream cheese dip is not spicy with jalapeno: since you remove the seeds before dicing it, it simply adds a tangy, irresistible flavor to the dip. Make sure to protect your hands when cutting the pepper and wash them immediately afterwards.

Can you make it spicy? Absolutely! Simply add a few of the jalapeno seeds to the mix when making the cranberry sauce. Another classic way to enjoy cranberry and jalapeno? Try this Cranberry Salsa, another crowd favorite.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Ways to serve cranberry cream cheese dip

This cranberry cream cheese dip is a sure crowd pleaser at parties! Simply add crackers or bread and it’s perfect for dipping. It’s great for holiday parties like as a Christmas appetizer or Thanksgiving appetizer, but it works anytime using frozen cranberries when fresh aren’t in season. Here are a few of our favorite ways to dip:

And that’s it! Let us know if you plan to try this cranberry cream cheese dip at your next party! Our friends and family couldn’t stop dipping it.

More party appetizers

Love to entertain? Here are a few of our favorite appetizer recipes that are perfect for parties:

This cranberry cream cheese dip is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free (with gluten-free crackers or apple slices).

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Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8
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Description

Cranberry cream cheese dip is an easy appetizer everyone will love! Homemade sauce has bright, sweet tart flavor (add jalapeno if you like).

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup fresh or bottled orange juice (plus zest of 1/4 orange, if desired)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (or ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and diced (optional*)
  • 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped salted pecans (or pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc)
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion top

Instructions

  1. Place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, cinnamon stick, and optional orange zest and diced jalapeño pepper in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the cranberries pop and it becomes saucy, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving (place in the freezer to speed up the process if desired). You can also make the cranberry sauce in advance and reheat it until warm the stovetop before serving (stir in a little water if it is too thick).
  2. Soften the cream cheese by microwaving the block for 10 seconds on High power. Or, allow the cream cheese to stand for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  3. To serve, spoon the warm cranberry sauce over the cream cheese. Top with chopped pecans and green onions. Serve with crackers.

Notes

*The combination of cranberry and jalapeno is classic for this type of dip, but not required! Removing the seeds makes the pepper add flavor but not heat.

  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Cranberry cream cheese dip, cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Apple Cobbler Recipe

This apple cobbler recipe is easy and cozy! A biscuit-meets-sugar-cookie topping covers a sweetly-spiced fruit layer. Here’s a cozy baked…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This apple cobbler recipe is easy and cozy! A biscuit-meets-sugar-cookie topping covers a sweetly-spiced fruit layer.

Apple Cobbler recipe

Here’s a cozy baked good that’s calling your name: this easy apple cobbler recipe! The topping is a meld of a biscuit and a sugar cookie, chewy, sweet and baked into golden-brown dollops. It covers a sweetly-spiced apple layer that’s flavored with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and lemon zest for a little pop. Top it with melty vanilla ice cream and there’s really nothing more we want in an apple dessert.

Ingredients in apple cobbler

This apple cobbler recipe is a spin on the classic cobbler, a classic easy dessert. A cobbler is a baked dessert with fruit filling that’s topped with dollops of biscuit-like dough. It differs from a crisp or crumble in that it doesn’t use oats or nuts in the topping.

Traditionally are a few different ways to make a cobbler topping: a biscuit like topping that forms dollops on top of the dough, or a cake-like topping that is relatively flat. This apple cobbler recipe is a mix of these two styles, with a texture between a biscuit and a sugar cookie! It’s sweet but not overly saccharine like some cobblers. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

  • Crisp tart apples: Tart apples are best for baking, and crisp apples hold their shape better than softer apples which can become mushy.
  • Brown sugar and granulated sugar: The mix of sugars adds nuance to the flavor, but you can use all granulated sugar if preferred.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is essential or the filling will be watery instead of gooey. Substitute arrowroot powder if desired.
  • Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract: This mix of cozy spices is key! If desired, you can use only cinnamon for a similar effect.
  • Lemon juice and lemon zest: Lemon juice and zest makes the flavors pop, similar to salt with savory food.
  • All-purpose flour, baking soda and salt: These essential ingredients make the base of the topping.
  • Butter: Stirring in melted butter makes this topping quick and easy.
  • Egg yolk: The egg yolk is the secret ingredient that makes a smooth, cookie-like dough.
Apple Cobbler recipe

Best type of apples for cobbler

The best variety of apples for cobbler is a firm, crisp tart apple. Crisp tart apples cook well and the tangy tartness accents the sweetness of baked goods. Of course, you can use any type of apple you like in this apple cobbler recipe. But other apple varieties can end up in a mushy, sweeter filling that’s not as satisfying as with a crisp tart apple. Here are some of the best apples for baking and cooking:

  • Pink Lady
  • Jonathon or Jonagold
  • Granny Smith
  • Fuji

What makes this an easy apple cobbler?

Some apple cobbler recipes claim to be easy, but then they call for things like 5 pounds of apples (which take forever to peel!) or cooking the apple filling in advance. Here are a few things that make this apple cobbler recipe fun and easy:

  • It calls for 2 pounds of apples, which don’t take too long to peel and slice.
  • Melted butter goes right into the easy filling, so you don’t have to cut in room temperature butter (which can take a while).
  • It bakes right away, with no need to pre-cook a filling.
Apple Cobbler

A trick to cutting apples

Here’s a trick for how to cut apples quickly for apple cobbler! If you’re not cutting your apples this way, it’s game changing. This method for slicing apples is so slick, you can slice one up in just a few seconds. Here’s what to do:

  • Peel the apple.
  • Set the apple upright, and cut off each of the four sides around the core.
  • Place each slide on its flat edge and slice into thin slices.
How to slice apples

Ways to serve apple cobbler

This apple cobbler recipe warm from the oven is the best easy dessert to share with friends and family. But don’t forget the topping! To us, vanilla ice cream is required: it contrasts the sweet cake of the cobbler and rounds out the overall experience. Here are a few ways to serve it:

  • Vanilla ice cream. Classic! Warm cobbler with cold ice cream is perfection.
  • Whipped cream. This homemade whipped cream makes just the right rich and creamy counterpoint.
  • Creme fraiche. This thick cream is perfect over fruit desserts. Use purchased or homemade creme fraiche.

Storage and make ahead info

This apple cobbler recipe is best the day it is made. For best results, allow it to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This lets the texture set and brings it to a warm temperature.

Apple cobbler also works made in advance! It’s best prepared the night before, but it stores up to 3 days refrigerated. Reheat in a 350°F oven until room temperature or warm before serving.

Apple Cobbler

Diet variations

Want to make a vegan apple cobbler? Make this recipe with vegan butter and replace the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon dairy free milk.

More apple recipes

This apple cobbler recipe is one of our favorite apple recipes! It’s great as a fall dessert or Thanksgiving dessert. Here are a few more fun recipes with this tasty fruit:

This apple cobbler recipe is…

Vegetarian.

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Apple Cobbler

Apple Cobbler

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8
Print Recipe

Description

This apple cobbler recipe is easy and cozy! A biscuit-meets-sugar-cookie topping covers a sweetly-spiced fruit layer.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups peeled and sliced crisp tart apples (2 pounds; about 4 large or 6 medium)*
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 
  • ½ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Make the filling: Peel and slice the apples. In a medium bowl, mix them with the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, lemon juice and lemon zest. Then pour the filling into a round 9-inch pie pan, 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish.
  3. Make the topping: Meanwhile, in another large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and stir until it forms crumbles (you may need to help with your hands, but resist the urge to mix too much). Place the pieces onto the apples. Sprinkle with the 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
  4. Bake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is evenly golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool for about 30 minutes, then serve. You can leave it out on the counter for up to 1 day (covered, at night). After 1 day, refrigerate any leftovers. It also freezes well for several months in a sealed container; reheat it in a 350°F oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Baked
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Apple cobbler, apple cobbler recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.