16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked through
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest, freshly grated
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Assorted crackers or toasted baguette slices for serving
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating, take your softened cream cheese and spread it into an even layer at the bottom of a medium sized oven safe baking dish or a decorative pie plate.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, alcohol-free vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Stir the ingredients together until the cranberries are well coated with the sugar and aromatics.
Pour the cranberry mixture directly over the top of the cream cheese layer in the baking dish. Use a spoon to spread the berries out so they cover the cheese completely from edge to edge. If you are using chopped nuts, sprinkle them over the cranberries now.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You will know it is ready when the cranberries have started to burst and release their juices, and the cream cheese is soft and bubbling around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it sit for five minutes before garnishing with chopped green onions.
