Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip Recipe
This Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip is a vibrant and tangy appetizer perfect for festive gatherings or casual snacking. It features a luscious whipped feta and cream cheese base topped with a sweet-tart cranberry sauce, garnished with crunchy pistachios, a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for subtle heat, and a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 ounces cranberries (1 bag), fresh or frozen
Whipped Feta Dip
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Instructions
- Make the cranberry sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, granulated sugar, and cranberries. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer and thicken: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until most cranberries burst, stirring occasionally.
- Mash the cranberries: Continuously stir and mash the cranberries with the back of a spoon until the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Cool the sauce: Remove from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare the whipped feta: In a food processor or blender, combine the feta cheese, cream cheese, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust texture: If the mixture is too thick, add water 1 teaspoon at a time and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
- Assemble the dip: Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl, creating a swirl pattern with the back of a spoon.
- Top and garnish: Spoon the cooled cranberry sauce over the whipped feta. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and crushed red pepper flakes, then drizzle honey on top if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably; just allow a few extra minutes if using frozen to fully cook down.
- For a tangier dip, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste depending on spice preference.
- The dip can be made a few hours in advance; keep refrigerated and assemble just before serving.
- This dip pairs wonderfully with pita chips, crackers, or sliced fresh vegetables.
Keywords: Cranberry dip, Whipped feta, Holiday appetizer, Easy dip recipe, Festive dip, Party appetizer, Cranberry sauce, Cream cheese dip
Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/cranberry-whipped-feta-dip-recipe/
