This is the one time of year I like to dive into all things cranberry.

So, I’ve got you covered with appetizers, cocktails, desserts AND a new spin on cranberry sauce!

Cranberries are so versatile this time of year. You can find them fresh, frozen or dried and there are a variety of cranberry recipes to make with each.

I try to use the fresh cranberries as much as I can BUT if you buy a bag and don’t use it right away, just put it in the freezer to keep longer. Then, use the frozen cranberries in recipes too.

Cranberry Recipes to Make in December

Cranberry Appetizer Recipes

Easy Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie (holiday appetizer)

This easy cranberry pecan baked brie is a festive appetizer for the holiday season! You only need 5 key ingredients plus a garnish to make it!

Click here for the recipe

The Best Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip (holiday recipe!)

This quick & delicious cranberry whipped feta dip is the perfect holiday appetizer! Make it with just 10 ingredients & under 20 minutes!

Click here for the recipe

Easy and Quick Holiday Brie Crostini Appetizers

Make these quick holiday brie crostini appetizers in 10 minutes! Top with seasonal jams, nuts & a honey drizzle for the perfect holiday bite.

Click here for the recipe

Festive Holiday Cranberry Walnut Gouda Cheese Ball

Make this Festive Cranberry Walnut Gouda Cheese Ball for the holidays! A classic favourite, this cheese ball appetizer is sure to impress.

Click here for the recipe

Cranberry-based Cocktails

Cranberry cocktails are perfect for the holiday season! Cocktails with cranberries are gorgeous in colour and have the best flavour for the festive season.

Winter Cranberry Aperol Spritz

This Winter Aperol Spritz is dressed up for the holidays with the addition of cranberry juice and a festive rosemary sprig!

Click here for the recipe

Easy and Festive Christmas Cosmopolitan Cocktail

This Christmas Cosmopolitan is a festive twist on a classic cosmo. With a cranberry-rosemary simple syrup, it's perfect for the holidays!

Click here for the recipe

Easy Mulled Wine

This easy mulled wine recipe is on my holiday absolute-must list. Don't miss out on this recipe for any winter gatherings or parties.

Click here for the recipe

Cranberry Rosé Fizz

This Cranberry Rosé Fizz is the perfect cocktail for the holidays and to celebrate the New Year! A combination of tart and sweet, this Cranberry Rosé Fizz is garnished with sugared rosemary for a lovely sparkling touch.

Click here for the recipe

Kombucha Cranberry Bourbon Smash

This cranberry bourbon cocktail with ginger kombucha and a touch of honey is the ideal Fall cocktail. A bit sweet and a bit tart, all of the flavours come together for a refreshing sip that’s perfect for Fall & Winter gatherings!

Click here for the recipe

Cranberry Desserts and Baked Goods

Pairing tart cranberries with sweet flavours like chocolate or brown sugar make the perfect sweet-tart combinations for desserts and other baked goods!

Cranberry Chocolate Scones with Orange Glaze

Cranberry Chocolate Scones are baked to golden perfection and then drizzled with a fresh, orange glaze for a delicious breakfast or brunch treat.

Click here for the recipe

No-Bake Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes

Individual no-bake mini cranberry cheesecakes are an easy, make-ahead dessert celebrating cranberries! These cranberry cheesecake's are a lovely way to enjoy the festive season.

Click here for the recipe

Easy Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars

Make these Easy Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars with just 10 key ingredients! Drizzle with an orange glaze for the most delicious holiday dessert.

Click here for the recipe

A new spin on Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry-pear chia seed jam recipe is one of my absolute favourites because it’s so versatile! Try this as a part of a cheeseboard; as a topping to a cheesecake; or, as a delicious alternative to a traditional cranberry sauce.

Easy Cranberry & Pear Chia Seed Jam (low sugar)

Cranberry & Pear Chia Seed Jam is an easy jam for the holiday season! Serve with baked brie, turkey dinner or gift a jar for the holidays.

Click here for the recipe

More festive recipes from the blog

• Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans
• Winter Spiced Old Fashioned
• How to Make a Christmas Cookie Box
• Festive Market Cheeseboard
• Puff Pastry Baked Brie with Fig Jam Appetizer Recipe

The post What’s In Season – Cranberry Recipes to Make in December appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Whipped feta is topped with an easy-to-make cranberry compote and garnished with chopped pistachios & a drizzle of honey.

With sweet and savory flavours, it’s an amazing flavor experience in every bite!

This festive appetizer is sure to be a favorite dip for the holiday season!

Just like my easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam and pecans, this whipped feta dip is a part of my go-to easy recipes for the holidays.

Why you’ll love this cranberry feta cheese dip recipe

• It’s a simple dip that is quick and easy to make!
• This whipped feta dip is make with simple ingredients that are easy to find.
• It’s a delicious appetizer that you can prep ahead of time so it’s a quick party food!

Ingredients needed to make this cranberry feta dip

Cranberries: you can use frozen or fresh cranberries to make the tart homemade cranberry sauce topping for this recipe.

Orange: zest and juice of one orange adds a bright, fresh flavour to the cranberry mixture.

Maple Syrup: the sweetness of the maple syrup balances out the tartness of the cranberries.

Nutmeg: nutmeg is a festive spice that goes lovely with the cranberries, orange and maple syrup flavours.

Feta cheese:  the fresh feta cheese combined with the greek yogurt provides a divine creamy texture as the base for this dip.

Greek yogurt:  plain greek yogurt helps to give the whipped feta a lucious, creamy texture.

Chili flakes: a pinch of chili flakes helps to flavour the whipped feta.

Olive oil: olive oil brings the whipped feta all together perfectly in the food processor.

Pistachios: a salty, nutty, crunchy topping that goes lovely with the rest of the ingredients.

Honey: a splash of honey ties the sweet, tart and savory flavours of the dip together.

Fresh thyme: a pinch fresh thyme leaves are nice addition if you desire, alternatively minced rosemary from sprigs of fresh rosemary could also be nice.

How to make this perfect holiday appetizer

Step 1: In a small saucepan add cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice and nutmeg and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Once boiling, turn to medium-low and keep at a simmer for about 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until cranberries have burst and start to reduce to a jam-like consistency. Once done, remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 3: Whip the feta by adding feta cheese, greek yogurt, chili flakes and olive oil to a food processor and blend on high until smooth and creamy. (You can also bend using an immersion blender).

Step 4: Once the cranberries have cooled, assemble the dip by layering the whipped feta in a shallow bowl. Top with the cranberry compote, chopped pistachios, a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme leaves if desired.

Step 5: Serve with crostini, crackers or pita bread if desired.

Expert tips for making this cranberry whipped feta dip

• ​If you don’t have a food processor, don’t fret! You can use a hand/immersion blender to combine the whipped feta ingredients or even a hand mixer.
• Make the cranberry compote ahead of time! Store in the fridge and take out about a half hour before assembling the dip so it can come to room temperature.

Common questions

How can I make this easy appetizer ahead of time?
You can make both the whipped feta and cranberry mixture for this cranberry whipped feta dip up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge each in their own airtight container and take out about half an hour before assembling to bring to room temperature.

What if I don’t want to use chili flakes?
You can replace the chili flakes with ground black pepper if you prefer.

How can I make my own crostini?
To make your own crostini: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.

How to store this appetizer

If you have leftover dip, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

More easy appetizer recipe ideas to make from the blog:

Pear & Walnut Baked Brie

Easy Garlic & Herb Cheese Holiday Appetizer

Pear & Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer with Honey

Print

The Best Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip (holiday recipe!)

This quick & delicious cranberry whipped feta dip is the perfect holiday appetizer! Make it with just 10 ingredients & under 20 minutes!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry, holiday appetizer, whipped feta

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 -6

Author Jess

Ingredients

For the cranberries

• 2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• zest & juice of one orange
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For the whipped feta

• 225 g (8oz) block of feta cheese in brine - drain from brine before using
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tbsp olive oil 

Garnishes

• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1-2 tbsp honey to drizzle
• fresh thyme if desired

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan add cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice and nutmeg and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Once boiling, turn to medium-low and keep at a simmer for about 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until cranberries have burst and start to reduce to a jam-like consistency. Once done, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Whip the feta by adding feta cheese, greek yogurt, chili flakes and olive oil to a food processor and blend on high until smooth and creamy. (You can also bend using an immersion blender).
• Once the cranberries have cooled, assemble the dip by layering the whipped feta in a low bowl. Top with the cranberry compote, chopped pistachios, a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme leaves if desired.

Notes

• Want to make your own crostini? Preheat the oven to 400°F. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.
• You can make both the whipped feta and cranberry mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in separate airtight containers in the fridge and take out about half an hour before assembling to bring to room temperature.
• If you don't have feta, substituting with ricotta cheese will work great too. Whipped ricotta is just as delicious!

The post The Best Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip (holiday recipe!) appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.