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    Home » Appetizers & Drinks

    Updated: Mar 20, 2024 · Published: Nov 26, 2019 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread

    Jump to Recipe

    I was happy to work with the maker of one of my favorite gluten-free products, Mary's Gone Crackers, to create a beautiful, full of flavor, and easy holiday appetizer.  I only work with high-quality products that I love and this is one of them.

    The holiday season calls for seasonal and bright flavors such as this easy cheese appetizer.  It can be made ahead of time and ready to go when the guests arrive.  It is a quick appetizer recipe that combines 3 kinds of cheese with tangy homemade cranberry sauce, and all your favorite crackers. Share this gift with others and make this appetizer for any family get-together, potluck, or cocktail party during the holiday season.

    I have loved these crackers for years and often bring some along to family parties.  I know there will be good dips, sliced cheeses, or spreads so having my own gluten-free stash means I never miss out!  Having a variety of crackers when serving many people is ideal and offering a gluten-free option is a great way to ensure all your guests get to enjoy the festivities.

    Jump to Recipe

    What to Love About this Recipe:

    • Simple recipe and easy to make
    • Uses only a few ingredients
    • 3 kinds of cheese add a punch of flavor
    • Salty, creamy, tart, and crunchy all in one
    • Pop of beautiful color thanks to the cranberry
    • The spread and homemade cranberry apple sauce can be made ahead of time
    • Festive color and flavors, great for Thanksgiving and Christmas

     

    How to Make Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread

    The ingredients shown below are what will be needed for this recipe. You will need three kinds of cheese; sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and crumbled gorgonzola.   The cranberry sauce used is my homemade Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce recipe.   This recipe is tart, sweet, quick to make, and while it is cooking in the instant pot it makes the whole house smell amazing.  You do not want to miss making this from scratch.  Friends don't let friends eat canned cranberry sauce!

    I love the Original Mary's Gone Crackers for this recipe not just because they are gluten-free, non-GMO, and organic.  They are ideal for this because they are a rustic and hearty cracker that can stand to any spread and topping.  They have a nutty flavor thanks to all the seeds which are the perfect accompaniment to tangy cranberry and sharp cheeses.

     

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread Ingredients

     

    Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. When softened, mix with the finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and gorgonzola crumbles.  Place in a serving bowl and serve immediately. It is best to serve at room temperature so it is easy to spread onto crackers.

     

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese ready to mix

    Three kinds of cheese ready to mix

     

    On a cheese board or large serving platter, arrange crackers and cheese spread.  Serve alongside the homemade Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce, and crackers.   Place cheese spreaders or knives along with the other ingredients.

     

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread ready to serve

     

    Top some crackers with the cheese spread and dollop with cranberry apple sauce.   I suggest using crackers that are bite-sized so they are easy for guests to eat.  Nothing worse than biting into something that crumbles and falls or worse yet, stains your holiday best!

    Dollop Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce on cheese spread

    Dollop Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce on the top of each

     

     

    HOLIDAY CRANBERRY CHEESE SPREAD READY FOR THE PARTY!

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread ready to serve

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread ready to serve

     

     

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

     

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread PIN

    Holiday Cranberry Cheese Spread PIN

     

     

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    Oneida 4-Piece Cheese Spreader Set, Stainless Steel
    Oneida 4-Piece Cheese Spreader Set, Stainless Steel
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    Villa Acacia Wooden Cutting Board - 17 x 6 Inch Wood Board Serving Tray for Bread and Cheese with Handle - Decorative Charcuterie Boards for New Home, Wedding Gift
    $12.95
    Villa Acacia Wooden Cutting Board - 17 x 6 Inch Wood Board Serving Tray for Bread and Cheese with Handle - Decorative Charcuterie Boards for New Home, Wedding Gift
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    05/13/2025 08:06 am GMT

    Duralex Made In France Lys Stackable 9-Piece Glass Bowl Set,Clear
    $64.95
    Duralex Made In France Lys Stackable 9-Piece Glass Bowl Set,Clear
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    05/12/2025 05:51 pm GMT

    Amazon

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

     

     

    HOLIDAY CRANBERRY CHEESE SPREAD plated

    Holiday Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

    Angela
    Holiday appetizer with bright tangy cranberry sauce and a three-cheese spread.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10

    Equipment

    • electric pressure cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
    • 1 C cheddar cheese finely shredded
    • 2 oz gorgonzola cheese crumbled
    • fresh cracked black pepper
    • 1 C Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce https://theshortordercook.com/instant-pot-pressure-cooker-cranberry-apple-sauce/
    • 2-3 kinds Crackers gluten-free or regular
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • This recipe takes 10 minutes if the homemade Instant Pot Cranberry Apple Sauce is already made. If not, add additional time for that.
    • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese with the cheddar and gorgonzola. Add fresh cracked pepper to your liking.
    • Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately. If not serving immediately, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
    • Before serving, bring to room temperature so the spread is soft enough to easily spread on crackers. Once cheese spread is ready, display with assorted crackers, and the homemade cranberry sauce.
    • Using cheese spreaders top a few with the three-cheese blend and dollop with the cranberry sauce. Enjoy.
    • The cheese mixture can be made up to 3-days ahead of time or store wrapped in the refrigerator.
    Keyword appetizer, christmas, easy, fast, gluten-free, holiday, no bake, party, special occasion, thanksgiving, valentine's day, winter
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     

     

    Thank you Mary's Gone Crackers for supplying the hearty gluten-free crackers for this lovely holiday recipe.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Erika says

      November 26, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      This looks delicious and perfect for the holidays!

      Reply
    2. Beth says

      November 26, 2019 at 6:08 pm

      That cheesy spread looks great with the little touch of the cranberry topping. And those crackers sound just delicious - I will be on the lookout for them where I shop.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 27, 2019 at 6:58 am

        You will love these crackers, a gluten-free favorite. My whole family eats them even though they do not need to remove gluten from their diet. Enjoy.

        Reply
    3. Lisa Ho says

      November 26, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you for the recipe 😀

      Simple and delicious appetizer 🙂

      Reply
    4. Yasmin says

      November 27, 2019 at 2:18 am

      Sounds so delicious. My house loves cheese and crackers around this time of year. This recipe is perfect for a change!

      Reply
    5. Jazzy's Mama says

      November 27, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Hmm very interesting combination. Looks like the perfect holiday appetizer.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 28, 2019 at 9:42 pm

        Thank you.

        Reply
    6. Jacqueline Debono says

      November 27, 2019 at 1:20 pm

      I love Gorgonzola. I think it's my favourite Italian cheese! This spread looks and sounds so tasty! perfect as an appetizer on crackers!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 28, 2019 at 9:41 pm

        We love Gorgonzola too, cannot go wrong with it. The crackers hold up great for spreading this three-cheese blend including the crumbles.

        Reply
    7. Simone says

      November 28, 2019 at 2:26 am

      I love Mary's crackers too... this looks like the perfect Christmas appetizer! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 28, 2019 at 9:40 pm

        Yes, so great for Christmas. The red is lovely for Valentine's day too I was thinking. And Mary's Gone Crackers are great for all those holidays too.

        Reply
    8. Nart | Cooking with Nart says

      November 28, 2019 at 6:38 am

      Looks delicious and effortless - I could eat something like this all day!

      Reply
    9. Lathiya says

      December 03, 2019 at 1:08 pm

      The cheese spread looks so inviting and with cranberry, it lifts the holiday mood.

      Reply
    10. Dee | Grammy's Grid says

      November 10, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      Looks good! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 33 for Thanksgiving Recipes. Shared.

      Reply
    11. Dee | Grammy's Grid says

      November 17, 2020 at 1:18 am

      CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at #AThemedLinkup 34 for All Things Christmas from my previous linkup for Thanksgiving Recipes.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        November 17, 2020 at 5:40 pm

        Thanks so much! Happy Holidays.

        Reply

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