Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (2024)

4.2 from 6 votes

(Click the stars to vote)

16 comments

Jump to Recipe

Dec 13, 2018 Jul 5, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

With a sweet and citrusy burst of flavor, this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese is a festive spread for bagels, toast, and more. It’s an easy addition to a holiday brunch or a simple way to make a weekday breakfast or lunch a bit more special. You can even use it as a dip for fruit or graham crackers.

Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Festive Flavored Cream Cheese
  • What You’ll Need
  • How to Make Flavored Cream Cheese
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More easy dips and spreads
  • Get the Recipe

Festive Flavored Cream Cheese

This New Jersey girl knows a thing or two about bagels and cream cheese. I’ve certainly had my share, and it was always fun to go into the bagel shop, pick out a bagel, and pair it with one of the selections from the heaping containers of flavored cream cheese.

But this isn’t plain old strawberry or honey or garlic cream cheese. This flavored cream cheese is filled with the festive pairing of cranberry and orange, plus the perfect hint of cinnamon and vanilla. All you need to do is stir together a few basic ingredients. This gives an extra burst of deliciousness that takes plain cream cheese and makes it a little extra special.

It’s a simple way to add a little pizzazz to a weekday breakfast, and it’s even a great kids’ lunch idea. But the seasonal flavors have just the right amount of sweetness and zing to make it perfect for a Christmas brunch.

Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (3)

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need to make this deliciously flavored orange cranberry cream cheese. Head down to the recipe card for the full amounts.

  • Cream cheese. You can use regular or light (ft free is not recommended), just make sure it is softened to room temperature (regular or light is fine)
  • Vanilla extract. Pure extract, not imitation flavoring, will give the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Honey. You can also use maple syrup.
  • Mandarin Oranges in 100% Juice. I like to use one of the little Dole fruit cups. Pour out the juice and make sure it is drained well.
  • Dried cranberries. These are regular old Craisins,chopped.

How to Make Flavored Cream Cheese

You can follow this method to make pretty much any flavor of cream cheese you like, from fancy Carrot Cake Whipped Cream Cheese to one that simply has fresh strawberries and honey or a spoonful of raspberry jam mixed in. You can also make savory cream cheese with caramelized onions, everything bagel seasoning, or even Cajun spice.

  1. Start with softened cream cheese by leaving it out at room temperature until it is nice and smooth and easy to stir.
  2. Place it in a bowl, and blend in the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon with a spoon or spatula. Stir until smooth.
  3. Then add the cranberries and drained mandarin oranges and gently stir them in.
  4. Refrigerate until chilled or until you are ready to serve it. As long as it is covered, it will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (8)

Serving Suggestions

The obvious first place to start is smearing this flavored cream cheese on plain bagels or Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bagels. It really adds something special to a weekday breakfast, though you can also serve it with Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake or Cinnamon Rolls as part of a festive brunch.

But there are so many more options:

  • Use it as a dip for apple or pear slices or gluten free graham crackers as an after-school snack.
  • Add it to a charcuterie plate, whether it’s a kids’ snack platter or stuffed into Pistachio Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates alongside your meats and cheese.
  • Make it a sweet part of game day when you dip Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels or Pretzel Bites.
  • Whether breakfast or dessert, it’s lovely stuffed inside some gluten free crepes.
Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (9)

More easy dips and spreads

  • Cheesecake Fruit Dip
  • Sweet Peanut Butter Hummus
  • Monster Cookie Dough Dip

    Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (10)

    4.2 from 6 votes

    Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese

    With a sweet and citrusy burst of flavor, this Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese is a festive spread for bagels, toast, and more. It's an easy addition to a holiday brunch or a simple way to make a weekday breakfast or lunch a bit more special. You can even use it as a dip for fruit or graham crackers.

    Prep: 6 minutes mins

    Total: 6 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 4 oz. cream cheese at room temperature (regular or light is fine)
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
    • 4 oz. Mandarin Oranges in 100% Juice, drained well
    • 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup until smooth.

    • Gently stir in the Mandarin Oranges and dried cranberries. The oranges will break up as you stir, which is what you want, though take care not to break them down completely or the cream cheese will be too runny.

    • Place in the refrigerator until well-chilled.

    • Serve with mini bagels, apple slices, toast, graham crackers, etc.

    Nutrition Facts

    Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese

    Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)

    Calories 37

    % Daily Value*

    Cholesterol 1mg0%

    Sodium 99mg4%

    Potassium 62mg2%

    Carbohydrates 6g2%

    Sugar 5g6%

    Protein 2g4%

    Vitamin A 105IU2%

    Vitamin C 3.8mg5%

    Calcium 55mg6%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dip, Snack

    Cuisine: American

    Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (11)

    Did you make this?

    Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips

    Leave a Rating Instagram Pin Recipe

    Categories:

    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Dinner
    • Dips and Spreads
    • Gluten Free
    • Mains
    • Sweet
    Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What do you mix with cream cheese? ›

    Virtually any herbs or spices (and even some vegetables) can be folded into a block of softened cream cheese to make something even more exciting. For topping bagels or serving with bagel chips, try mixing in poppyseeds, scallions, chives, VERY finely minced carrots and celery, and even “everything” bagel seasoning.

    What to use if you don't have cream cheese? ›

    Cream Cheese Substitutes:
    1. Sour Cream. Sour cream replicates cream cheese's taste but isn't quite as caloric, making it a good choice for a lower-calorie substitute. ...
    2. Greek Yogurt. ...
    3. Neufchâtel. ...
    4. Mascarpone. ...
    5. Silken Tofu. ...
    6. Cottage Cheese. ...
    7. Hummus. ...
    8. Quark.
    Oct 18, 2023

    What flavors of cream cheese are there? ›

    Cream Cheese Flavors
    • Plain Cream Cheese.
    • Light.
    • Scallion.
    • Scallion With Bacon.
    • Jalapeño Cheddar.
    • Lox Spread.
    • Olive –Pimento.
    • Sun-Dried Tomato.

    Can whipped cream cheese be substituted for cream cheese? ›

    THE BOTTOM LINE: In recipes for which cream cheese is cooked, we recommend sticking with the traditional block. In cases where it is not heated, the whipped product is acceptable provided you substitute by weight.

    What is a good combo with cream cheese? ›

    Mix with honey and lemon for a tangy fruit dip

    This easy and delicious dip is the perfect way to enjoy sweet and tangy flavors. Combine cream cheese, honey, and lemon juice to create a creamy dip that's perfect for dipping fruit. Enjoy this simple yet tasty dish for a snack or even an elegant dessert.

    How long does cream cheese last in the fridge? ›

    Once opened, cream cheese should be eaten within two weeks and kept in the fridge, according to Healthline. Its storage, packaging and processing can also impact the dairy product's longevity. Cream cheese's pasteurization does kill microorganism, but its high water "still poses a risk of microbial contamination."

    What if I don't have enough cream cheese for my cheesecake? ›

    8 Easy Ways to Make a Cream Cheese Substitute
    • Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is yogurt that's been strained to remove the liquid whey, resulting in a thicker yogurt that's higher in protein and lower in fat. ...
    • Sour Cream. ...
    • Cottage Cheese. ...
    • Neufchatel. ...
    • Mascarpone. ...
    • Ricotta Cheese. ...
    • Kefir. ...
    • Cashew Cheese.
    Apr 6, 2021

    Can I substitute butter for cream cheese? ›

    Cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta and even cottage cheese can replace the butter in many recipes. Use high-quality whole milk cheeses in a 1:1 ratio for butter and consider straining ricotta or cottage cheeses through cheesecloth to help ensure they aren't adding too much liquid to your recipe.

    Can I use Philadelphia instead of cream cheese? ›

    Yes, it is. Philadelphia is a brand name, of course, and the product is a kind of cream cheese.

    Who makes the best cream cheese? ›

    Philadelphia Named Best Cream Cheese

    Philadelphia's cream cheese took first place with a near-perfect score of 99.87. We're not too surprised that the creamy, tangy, OG cream cheese won.

    What state is known for cream cheese? ›

    Despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia. In 1872 William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumblier cheese product that was popular in Europe at the time.

    Can I use sour cream instead of cream cheese? ›

    Substituting Sour Cream For Cream Cheese

    Use it in place of cream cheese in savory dips and sauces. For maximum richness, use full-fat sour cream, which has about 2/3 of the saturated fat of cream cheese.

    What is the best substitute for cream cheese? ›

    Mascarpone. In terms of fat content and texture, mascarpone is the closest dupe for cream cheese. You may be familiar with this creamy Italian cheese as a layer in tiramisu. But its mild flavor makes it a great stand-in for cream cheese in almost every application.

    What is the difference between brick and tub cream cheese? ›

    While it might not seem like there's much of a difference between the two, there is. A tub container is filled with extremely soft cream cheese which isn't as pure as the one in a brick. When it comes to baking, a brick is ideal because it's tougher but can add a softer texture to your baked goods.

    What mixes well with cheese? ›

    Rum, whisky & cognac pair well with sweeter cheeses

    This includes hard, aged cheeses, like Gouda, Havarti cheeses and even blue cheese. Whisky and cognac also tend to have sweet and burned notes, which are perfectly suited to flavorful and slightly sweet cheeses.

    What to put on a bagel with cream cheese? ›

    For a sweeter option to add to your cream cheese bagel, think about adding fresh strawberries, blackberries and other fruits, but also a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar goes a long way. Or spread this healthy cream cheese frosting with greek yogurt and sweetend with honey only.

    What to eat with cream cheese as a snack? ›

    11 Bite-Size Cream Cheese Snacks That'll Curb Your 3 P.M. Hunger
    1. Avocado and Bacon on a Flatbread Cracker. ...
    2. Ham and Apple Snackers. ...
    3. Cranberry-Walnut Endive Boats. ...
    4. Brown Sugar Dream Dates. ...
    5. Berry Delicious Granola Bar. ...
    6. Strawberry Graham Cracker Bites. ...
    7. Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Banana Snack. ...
    8. Cucumber-Tomato Crunch Bites.
    Feb 26, 2016

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6633

    Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

    Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

    Birthday: 1999-09-15

    Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

    Phone: +6838967160603

    Job: Mining Executive

    Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

    Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.