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