Grandma’s Festive Favorite’: Just 4 ingredients. I serve this every holiday because it never lasts ten minutes.

This 4-ingredient cranberry cheese dip is my go-to last-minute party saver—the kind of recipe you can throw together while you’re still in your work clothes and guests are already on the way. It’s inspired by those classic Midwestern holiday spreads where there’s always a block of cream cheese on a plate with something sweet and tangy poured over the top. The contrast of tart cranberries, creamy cheese, and a hint of sweetness feels nostalgic and festive without being fussy. You might want to make this when you need something that looks impressive but secretly took you less than 10 minutes, or when you’re tasked with bringing an appetizer to a potluck and don’t have the bandwidth for a complicated recipe. It’s simple, cozy, and completely snackable—basically everything I want in an easy entertaining dish.

This cranberry cheese dip pairs perfectly with sturdy crackers like wheat or multigrain, buttery rounds, or simple water crackers that let the flavors shine. Sliced baguette—lightly toasted—is also great if you want something a bit more substantial. For a fresher spread, add apple slices, pear wedges, or celery sticks on the side; the crisp fruit and veggies balance the richness of the cheese. If you’re building a bigger appetizer board, tuck this dip next to mixed nuts, sliced salami, and a bowl of olives for a complete snack situation that works for game days, holidays, or casual Friday nights with a glass of wine.

8 oz cream cheese, softened (block style works best)
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted, if possible)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Place the softened cream cheese on a small serving plate or in a shallow bowl. You can leave it as a block, shape it into a round, or spread it into an even layer, depending on how you like to serve dips.

In a small bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce and honey (or maple syrup) until well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed, keeping in mind you want a balance of tart and sweet.

Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese, letting it gently cascade over the sides if you left the cheese in a block or round.

Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the cranberry layer. If you have time, lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant, then cool before adding for extra flavor and crunch.

Serve immediately with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or apple slices. If you’re prepping ahead, assemble the cream cheese and cranberry topping up to 2 hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate. Add the pecans just before serving so they stay crunchy.

For a slightly fancier twist, use a small wheel of brie or a log of goat cheese in place of the cream cheese—the brie will get wonderfully gooey if you warm it in the oven for a few minutes before topping with the cranberry mixture. If you prefer a nut-free version, skip the pecans and add a sprinkle of orange zest or chopped fresh rosemary for a bright, aromatic finish. You can also swap the honey for maple syrup to make the dip feel a bit more cozy and autumnal. If you’re trying to prep ahead for a busy week, stir together the cranberry sauce and sweetener up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge, then just assemble everything right before guests arrive. For a slightly more savory spin, add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper to the cranberry mixture, or fold in a tablespoon of finely diced red onion or jalapeño for a sweet-heat combo. Finally, if you like more texture, double the pecans or mix in some dried cranberries on top for extra chew and color.