Christmas Party Cranberry Dip Recipe 435

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, honey and cinnamon until smooth. Spread into a shallow bowl or 9-in. pie plate. Top with cranberry sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds. Serve with crackers.

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine cranberries with sugar in a 2 quart baking dish with a lid, stirring well to coat all the berries. Bake in the preheated oven, covered, for about 30 minutes, until the cranberries pop and release their liquid.
• Remove from oven and stir in the apricot jam and pecans. Refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors. To serve, allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature, and pour dip over the block of cream cheese on a serving dish. Serve with buttery round crackers or small pretzels.

Steps:

• CRANBERRY SAUCE: Sort through berries and remove any stems and blemished berries (brown or mushy ones). Rinse with water and drain well in a colander. Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan over medium/medium heat, bring water, sugar, and salt to a boil; then boil for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the cranberries and bring back to a boil; continue boiling 5-6 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries "pop". It's important that they "pop" to release the natural pectin which thickens the sauce. TIP: For a different flavor twist, after the sauce has finished cooking, stir in 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, 1 finely minced fresh jalapeno pepper (remove seeds first), or 2 to 3 tablespoons peach or pineapple preserves. (Shown with a little peach preserves). Pour sauce into a serving dish and cool to room temperature or refrigerate until chilled. Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a pie plate. Top with cooled cranberry sauce. Serve with crackers. Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator.