Name: Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese; 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped; 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 1 teaspoon orange zest, grated; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 28 reviews

If you’re looking to wow your guests or just jazz up your breakfast routine, this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe is an absolute game changer. Trust me, it’s insanely easy to make, bursting with bright citrus and sweet-tart flavors, and the creamy texture is just dreamy. Whether you’re spreading it on a bagel, dipping fresh fruit, or serving it with crackers at your next gathering, you’re going to love how fast this becomes a staple in your fridge.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The tart cranberries and sweet apricots perfectly complement the bright orange zest and juice, making every bite pop.
Quick & No-Cook: You literally whisk everything together in minutes—perfect for when you’re short on time but want something special.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether for breakfast, snacks, or party platters, this spread shines on all fronts.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after some fridge time, letting those flavors marry beautifully.

Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread, quick fruit spreads, holiday appetizer ideas, creamy fruit spreads, easy brunch recipes - A white bowl is filled with a creamy mixture that has three layers of visible ingredients: the base is soft white cream cheese, mixed throughout with chunks of orange dried apricots and small dark red dried cranberries, creating a colorful and textured look. Around the bowl, there are beige crackers placed on a white marbled surface, some showing a speckled texture. A woman's hand is holding one of the crackers near the edge of the bowl. The scene is bright and clear, showing the fresh, inviting look of the snack. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe brings together just a handful of ingredients that combine into something far more than the sum of their parts. Each component plays a special role—from the creamy base to the little bursts of fruit and zing from the orange.

Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread, quick fruit spreads, holiday appetizer ideas, creamy fruit spreads, easy brunch recipes - Flat lay of a block of fresh cream cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with bright red chopped dried cranberries, a small white bowl with vibrant orange chopped dried apricots, another small white bowl containing fresh orange juice, a small white bowl with finely grated orange zest, and a tiny white bowl holding ground ginger powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cream Cheese: Your creamy canvas—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and that rich, silky texture.
Dried Cranberries: Adds that classic tart and chewy note; chopping them finely helps them blend better.
Dried Apricots: Sweet and tender, apricots balance the tart cranberries. Look for naturally sweetened ones if possible.
Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is key! This brightens the whole spread with fresh citrus flavor.
Orange Zest: The zest gives that punchy, aromatic citrus oil that’s so essential here.
Ground Ginger (optional): Just a hint adds warmth and a subtle kick—feel free to skip or adjust depending on your palate.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can dial up or down the sweetness, add or skip spices, or even throw in other dried fruits or nuts to suit your mood or the occasion.

Nutty Upgrade: Adding chopped toasted walnuts or pecans gives a lovely crunch and earthy depth—I tried this once during the holidays and it was a hit!
Spice It Up: Sprinkle in a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg if you want a cozy fall twist.
Going Fresh: Try swapping out dried apricots for fresh or frozen berries when in season for a different fruity note.
Dairy-Free Version: Use a vegan cream cheese alternative to keep it creamy but plant-based.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Step 1: Soften and Whisk the Cream Cheese

Start by taking your cream cheese out of the fridge about 15 minutes before mixing—it’s so much easier to whisk when it’s soft, and your spread will be smoother. I like to use a medium bowl and a whisk or a hand mixer on low speed for about 1-2 minutes until creamy and lump-free.

Step 2: Chop the Dried Fruits

While the cream cheese softens, roughly chop your dried cranberries and apricots into small pieces. I prefer bite-sized chunks so that every spoonful gets a nice mixture of fruit without feeling too chunky. This also helps distribute the sweetness evenly.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add the chopped dried fruits, orange juice, orange zest, and ground ginger (if you’re using it) into the softened cream cheese. Gently fold everything together until evenly mixed. Be careful not to overmix here; you want to keep the texture inviting and not overly whipped.

Step 4: Refrigerate Before Serving

Pop your spread into the fridge for at least 30 minutes—or even longer if you have time. This resting step helps the flavors meld beautifully, and the spread firms up just enough to be perfectly spreadable. I usually make mine the night before big events; it’s so nice to have ready!

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Don’t rush this step! Soft cream cheese blends best and prevents lumps.
Fresh Orange Zest: Use a microplane grater and zest just the orange part—no bitter white pith.
Chop Finely: Small pieces of dried fruits distribute flavor evenly and avoid overwhelming bites.
Resting Time: Don’t skip chilling it; the flavors deepen and spreadability improves after refrigeration.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe

Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread, quick fruit spreads, holiday appetizer ideas, creamy fruit spreads, easy brunch recipes - A close-up image showing a round golden cracker held by a woman's hand, topped with a creamy, chunky mixture. The mixture has a white base with bright orange pieces and dark red bits scattered throughout, creating a textured look. The cracker's surface has small visible holes and a slightly uneven golden brown color. The background is soft and blurred, featuring a white marbled texture with other crackers faintly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish this spread with a sprinkle of extra orange zest or a few whole dried cranberries on top for a pop of color. Sometimes I add a few fresh rosemary sprigs too—it adds this lovely piney aroma that complements the citrus amazingly well.

Side Dishes

This spread pairs beautifully with crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, or even alongside fresh apple or pear slices. At brunch, I love setting it out with smoked salmon and bagels—such a classy combo!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like serving this spread in a hollowed-out orange rind bowl—it looks festive and naturally fragrant. You can also shape it into little balls and roll them in chopped nuts or fresh herbs for fancy canapés that’ll impress every guest.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps nicely for up to a week. The flavors actually develop more over time, so it tastes great even a few days after making it.

Freezing

I haven’t had much luck freezing this spread because the texture changes a bit when thawed—cream cheese can get grainy. So I usually recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated.

Reheating

Since this is a cold spread, reheating isn’t really necessary. If it firms up too much in the fridge, just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and give it a gentle stir before serving.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried in the Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe?

While fresh cranberries are very tart and watery, they aren’t the best fit for this spread. Dried cranberries add chewiness and concentrated sweetness. If you want to use fresh, I recommend cooking them down into a quick sauce or compote first.
How long does this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread keep in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, this spread stays fresh for up to 7 days. The flavors often intensify after a day or two, so it’s great to make ahead!
Is ground ginger necessary in this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe?

Not at all! Ground ginger adds a nice warm note, but the recipe is flavorful and delicious without it. Feel free to leave it out or adjust the amount to your liking.
Can I make this spread vegan?

Yes! Simply use your favorite vegan cream cheese alternative and ensure any added ingredients like orange juice and zest are fresh and natural. The result is just as tasty and perfect for vegan diets.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Spread Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites for impressing friends without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s fresh, festive, and utterly delicious—a combo that’s hard to beat. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing it as I do. Seriously, give it a try this weekend—you’ll be glad you did!