This easy, festive Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread with a hint of rosemary will be the hit of all of your holiday parties!
If you’re in need of a quick, easy, festive appetizer for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table this Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread is it . Spread on some buttery crackers and you’ll have an addicting little snack perfect for all of your upcoming holiday festivities.
One of my favorite parts of the traditional Thanksgiving festivities is the platter of appetizers that cover the table before dinner. After all it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if we didn’t spend the entire day eating, right? Our family breaks out the appetizer platters at about 11 am while we’re watching the last hour of the Macy’s Parade.
It really is a smorgasbord of food. We usually have everything from pickles and olives, to salami and cheese to ham pin-wheels and deviled eggs. And while it may not sound like we need anything more, I couldn’t resist making just one more thing. That is where this Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread enters the equation. It’s quick, easy, full of flavor and sure to be a hit.
Ingredients you’ll need:
- CREAM CHEESE: It is essential that it is at room temperature. This will help it whip better so that it will be easier to fold in the other ingredients.
- DRIED CRANBERRIES: These are sweet, tart and add just a pop of color without turning the cream cheese pink.
- FRESH ROSEMARY: Fresh rosemary is important in this recipe. Dried Rosemary is too brittle and won’t work as well. Fresh rosemary grows year round in my neck of the woods (PNW) if you can’t find it by itself, you can usually find it in the “Poultry blend” of fresh herbs in the produce section.
- GRANULATED GARLIC: Adds just a hint of garlic flavor. You can also substitute garlic powder.
- SALT AND PEPPER: You don’t need much here, just to taste.
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread is ridiculously easy to make! Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions to see just how easy it is.
- STEP #1: When I originally posted this recipe, I simply stirred the ingredients into softened cream cheese. I have since discovered that it is much better to use a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese first. It makes it so much easier to fold in the cranberries and rosemary.
- STEP #2: Fold in the cranberries, rosemary and granulated garlic. Mix well.
Make sure that you mix it very well so that there is cranberries and rosemary throughout the cream cheese.
I love to serve this with buttery crackers like Ritz or Townhouse. Honestly, it’d probably be fab on a bagel too!
Storage and Leftovers:
This spread keeps pretty well in the fridge. You’ll just want to make sure that you bring it to room temperature before serving. This will help ensure that it spreads well.
When I originally shared this Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread several years back, I knew that this recipe was going to be a hit. I often get friends telling me that this is one of their favorites from the blog and it is one of our favorites too. It has made an appearance at almost every holiday celebration for the last few years. I hope it has a spot at your table too!
Looking for more appetizers to serve for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Here are some of our must haves each year:
Brussels Sprouts as an appetizer?! Yes! This Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Dip will turn a Brussels sprouts hater into a lover every time.
Easy Artichoke Tapenade is great with crostini or crackers.
Mini Pigs in a Blanket are our kiddos absolute favorite.
Note: This post was updated in 2009. It was updated in 2016 and again in 2022.
Servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt
Instructions
- Place cream cheese into a bowl and using a spoon, fold in all ingredients until well combined.
- Serve along side crackers or toasted baguette slices.
[…] It’s hard to wait for The Big Feast on Thanksgiving! Keep eager tummies happy but not full with some bite-sized rosemary and cranberry crackers. Life’s Ambrosia share the recipe here. […]
That is great to hear Elizabeth! Thank you!
This went over really well at a work party, and a few people asked for the recipe.
[…] lots of other flavors; orange evokes a classic cranberry sauce, but you can also try an aromatic Rosemary Cranberry Spread, a sweet Cinnamon and Honey Cranberry Cream Cheese, or a Cranberry Horseradish Cream Cheese with […]
I am so happy to hear that Susan!
This is DELICIOUS and was enjoyed by ALL!!!!!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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Loved it
[…] It’s hard to wait for The Big Feast on Thanksgiving! Keep eager tummies happy but not full with some bite-sized rosemary and cranberry crackers. Life’s Ambrosia share the recipe here. […]
[…] can’t be the only thing on the menu! This recipe for Cranberry and Rosemary spread from Life’s Ambrosia would be delicious on crackers, providing another fall-flavored finger food your guests will surely […]
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Bam! This was good. I made it for a pot luck and loved the flavor. Super easy to make and super tasty. Thanks! I will be back to try out more.
I haven’t tried it but I’m pretty sure it would work :)
Have you tried it with low fat or fat free cream cheese? I am trying to find yummy appetizers that won’t cause me to gain weight over the holidays! :)
I have to tell you that I’ve made this at least 10 times and it has been a HUGE hit at each event. I just got a call requesting that I bring this particular appetizer to an upcoming party. Thanks so much! So easy and mighty tasty!
[…] Recipe Link ← Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Gorgonzola Cheese → […]
I am going to try this today. I think of cream cheese as a food group on its own. Always looking for new ways to use it
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I used fresh cranberries and added a little brown sugar. It is delicious. Thanks for the recipe idea I found on Pinterest.
[…] were so many appetizers that looked delicious but I had to narrow it down. I decided to try the cranberry rosemary spread & boy was I happy I did (and I am not the only […]
I made this for our Thanksgiving appetizer, and it was a hit! My cousin said he doesn’t even like cream cheese, and he loved it. I’m passing the recipe on to others. Thank you!
[…] Rosemary and Cranberry Spread via Life’s Ambrosia […]
Thanks Renee! Of course you can make it a day in advance. But hide it…so it lasts until the big day :)
Looks great! I’m thinking of making this for Thanksgiving… and this might be a dumb question, but can I make it a day in advance? I’m assuming yes, but I thought I’d check.
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haha well I suppose there are worse things to be obsessed with. You’re welcome and thank you for your comment :)
I cannot tell you how much I love this spread. This is the second year in a row it will be on my holiday menu. It just screams Christmas to me. The pineyness (pine-iness? piney-ness? are these words?) of the rosemary, the gorgeous red of the sweet/tart cranberries… perfection. Thanks so much for sharing a simple recipe that will be a Christmas must-have for us for years to come.
And now that I’ve gushed uncontrollably, I will step over the line into slightly obsessed to say that I’m typing this comment while munching on it right this very second.
I had seen a recipe similar to this, but butter was used in place of the cream cheese and used on potatos and what not. I have no idea where I saw the recipe, but do you think that the same quanities of ingrediants can be used? Would sour cream work as well?
Thanks so much!!
[…] originally found this Rosemary and Cranberry Spread recipe at one of my favorite food blogs, Life’s Ambrosia. The first time I made it, I went […]
Todd- I love the idea of sub-ing some pink and black peppercorn blend. Thanks for the comments!
My wife and I made this for a New Year’s Day potluck, and it was amazing. Don’t be shy with the cracked pepper! Use a pink and black peppercorn blend. The pink peppercorns impart a sweet and delicate flavor, while the black peppercorns give it that true peppery flavor. (For bonus points, use a mortar and pestle to better control the size and balance of the cracked ‘corns.)
You’re welcome andifoo! It is wonderful to hear that you liked it so much :)
Made this for me & a friend to snack on today while we were doing Christmas crafts. We loved it! The fresh rosemary really makes it, then there’s that bite of the tart cranberry – just excellent. I’m putting it on my appetizer menu for Christmas Eve. Thanks so much!
Thank you Xochi! I am happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it so much and I even more flattered that you served this as part of your Thanksgiving celebration :)
This spread is delicious! I made it for Thanksgiving appetizers for my family and then again for my roommates when I got back. It was gone in under 10 minutes. Total winner. :)
Thank you Soma!
A very beautiful one with lots of taste and flavor. Nice combination of the tart and the sweet and the rosemary with it sounds really good.
Thank you Carrie and Michelle!
You’re welcome Marion! I also find that cream cheese is wonderful with just about anything :)
Thank Elle! I LOVE the changes that you made, I can understand why there wasn’t a scrap left.
You’re welcome Alina!
I love dried cranberries, thank you for a great suggestion… I never thought of adding them to a cheese spread before! Thanks!
This was WONDERFUL! Rolled it into a ball, then rolled in chopped pecans and cracked black pepper…….. there wasn’t a scrap left.
I love the idea of pairing cream cheese with just about everyth ing. It always puts a nice clean freshness into the offering, whatever that might be. This spread is colorful and with the garlic powder and the rosemary, it will suit any occasion, even the latenight snack. Thank you.
This would make a great appetizer… or just a snack :)
This sounds great and is so pretty! It would be great for Christmas, too, with those colors.
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