This Cinnamon Walnut Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread is the most delicious thing to happen to holiday leftovers! We love this cranberry kissed cream cheese on everything from croissants to crackers to sandwiches.
Put this on EVERYTHING.
Yes. Everything.
Crackers. Croissants. Celery. Sandwiches. Your sneakers. Apple slices. That bill you don’t quite feel like paying. Toast. Bagels. Your face.
All. The. Things.
I won’t even distract you with a funny story today. This dip/spread/bowl-of-heaven deserves your undivided attention. No one will know you were simply trying to pawn off your Thanksgiving leftovers by making this fancy schmear. They’ll think you slaved away in your kitchen developing culinary perfection just for them. You’ll be applauded for your efforts. Parades will be thrown in your honor. Or you’ll simply get a pat on the back.
I’ll know your secret though. Heck, I am your secret. It’s okay. I totally know how this works. Just be sure to say thank you by coming over and doing the dishes.
Pretty please?
Cinnamon Walnut Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
This tasty spread is my favorite use for leftover cranberry sauce!
Don’t have any cranberry sauce on hand?
Make this immediately!
Cinnamon Walnut Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
This Cinnamon Walnut Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread is the most delicious thing to happen to holiday leftovers!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces regular or neufchatel cream cheese
- 4 TBSP leftover cranberry sauce
- 2-3 TBSP finely chopped baking walnuts
- 1 TBSP honey (plus extra to taste)
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (plus extra to taste)
Instructions
-
Soften cream cheese to room temperature.
-
Combine with a few heaping spoonfuls of leftover cranberry sauce.
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Next fold in chopped walnuts [optional, but beyond delicious!] and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
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Drizzle a tablespoon of honey into the mixture and stir. Simple and deeeeelicious.
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Rather not wait for the cream cheese to soften? Break out your food processor and whip the cream cheese, cinnamon and honey to perfection before adding your sauce. Then fold in the minced walnuts Just be sure to unplug the food processor before trying to lick it clean. You’re welcome.
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Serve this heavenly spread at room temperature with sliced green apple, whole grain crackers, and crunchy celery sticks. Or just go crazy and spread it on everything in sight.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!
so . . . how was it?
If you’ve read this far, you know it’s amazing. Legendary even. Dare I say it will delight your tastebuds with sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns? I rest my case.
This met approval from the hubs, our friends, and the fam. In fact, I had to make three batches to keep up with the rate at which they were shoveling this into their faces. Three! So click the print button and get your butt in the kitchen.
Mwah!
This makes the best thanksgiving leftover sandwich of freaking life. Do it. You’ll thank me later!
Anna
Delicious! Taking to my morning Bible study and my daughter (2) is already gobbling some up. Thanks!
Jenn
LOL! I’m so glad it’s getting gobbled — fingers crossed some makes it to Bible study! xoxo
Jack Lynch
I happened upon you recipe for CINNAMON WALNUT CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD.
There was 8 oz. of cream cheese nearing it’s expiration date and a some cranberry sauce. I doubled the recipe to use up the cream cheese before it got too old. The walnuts got fried, to release the oil and flavor and the honey was just waiting for a good cause. It all went together, like it was destined for this recipe. Very delicious. One container will stay home and the other will go to work.
So little time needed and such a tasty end result!!! Thanks!
Jack
Marilyn
Very, very good. I am used to seeing reviews in which the food item is touted as the best … this really is! I had some leftover cranberries, found this recipe, made cranberry sauce with orange juice and then the dip. I made two batches of dip as it was so tasty and I couldn’t see “wasting the other 4 oz of the cream cheese”. Great recipe!
Jenn
Why thank you Marilyn! I’m so glad you’re loving the recipe 🙂
Angela
Absolutely awesome sandwich: this, and thinly-sliced turkey, on cinnamon bread. Also, try this sometime with pecans, instead of walnuts. Oh, yeah …
Jenn
Thanks Angela, Happy Thanksgiving! And pecans and cinnamon bread?!?! You’re my favorite, I’m SO trying that! xo
sesil
I just saw this post and really want to give this a try, but can I used the canned cranberry stuff? Honestly we never make huge turkey or anything that would require cranberry sauce.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
I’ve made it with the canned stuff and it works! The only reason I typically suggest fresh sauce is because it’s so so so much better. The taste is phenomenal
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
If you do make the sauce fresh, this recipe is really easy and it freezes well too! http://peasandcrayons.com/2013/11/recipe-quicky-speedy-stovetop-cranberry.html
losingitlittlebylittle
I was just thinking about how I was going to use up that cranberry sauce…now I know! Thanks!!
Miz
YES MA’AM.
your wish be my command.
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Oh my…this looks pretty dangerous! I don’t have any cream cheese on hand. I wonder how it would taste with greek yogurt. It may be worth a try. 😉
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food
Looks totally amazing!!!
Amber
Yum! This is an awesome idea! I bet it is just amazing on apple slices!!! I’m totally going to be making this after turkey day!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Thanks Amber!!!! Buy extra apples. You’ll need them =)
Nessa @ Isle Style Living
YUM!!
I printed your cranberry sauce recipe this weekend and it is officially on my menu =)
Can’t wait to make this Friday morning… Thanks!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Thanks Nessa!!!!
whitney
I’m sure this could be eaten in one sitting by one person, but I if I were to bring this to a family gathering, would you recommend doubling or tripling it?! Or how many people would be able to snack off one batch?
Looks fabulous!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Thanks Whitney!!!! Each “batch” makes around 1/2 cup of cranberry crack =) Double… Triple… Quadruple…. it goes fast and will stay fresh and fabulous in the fridge for 4 days! =) xoxo
Kris @ everywhereorange.com
this looks pretty yum! I have been putting Frank hot buffalo sauce on everything, and i mean EVERYTHING! i put it on a cracker the other day. what can i say the baby likes spicy food 🙂
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Your baby is going to come out dancing with all that cayenne =) Love it!
Siobhan McCarthy
Ummm, this is brilliant! I’m pretty sure this recipe and homemade croissants will be at my tea party on Saturday. Ah-may-zing!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Can I get in on these homemade croissants? I’ll clean YOUR dishes!
Sabrina
This looks AMAZING, as always. So good, in fact, that it may be making an appearance in our house this weekend, and will be making an appearance on the blog Friday as a favorite post 😉
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Ahhhhhh shut up! Thank you!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity
this sounds heavenly!! need.to.eat.now.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Yesss! Thanks Alysia!
Nikki
Jenn, that looks so good. I want to smother it on something right now and shove it in my face and enjoy all the yumminess. Maybe some would end up on my face…:P
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
It will. You’ll love it!
Thanks Nikki!!! <3
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
Love this! I love flavored cream cheese, but I’ve never made my own. This looks super easy!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
They’re ridiculously easy!!!! Make my veggie one too. Just don’t get any on your hands… you’ll wind up a cannibal.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
Oh my gosh I totally want this! I also want to make pumpkin bagels and I think that would be a wonderful flavor explosion on my taste buds.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
TWSS
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed
I enjoy pink foods. I enjoy them because they make me feel girly. I like feeling girly.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
I enjoy your face.
Jane @ The Borrowed Abode
OMG. I see those rosemary Trader Joe’s crackers on that plate and I want to break through your screen and eat them. I AM HOOKED. And I can imagine they’re the perfect vehicle for this dip. Awesomesauce.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
They’re HT Traders sweet and savory granola toasts or something similar with a long winded title and lots of dried cranberries and nuts. We should dip some balls in this…
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This sounds WAY too good…I must make it!! Thanks for the recipe, Jenn!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
You’re super welcome!
[email protected]
You crack me up! If “this met approval from the hubs, the ginger, and the pirate hooker, well now, it must be damn good especially if it inspires sunshine, rainbows, and ponies. I must go make the cranberry sauce, so I can make the cream cheese dip.
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
Make both. Then dance with the ponies.
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