Smooth, creamy, perfectly spiced and ridiculously moreish - you're going to adore this Christmas cookie dip.
The recipe couldn't be simpler, with a base of butter and cream cheese, sweetened with sugar and given the perfect festive flavour with Biscoff spread, orange zest and a pinch of cinnamon.
White and milk chocolate chips are folded through, whilst a topping of red and green smarties (or M&Ms, if you prefer) lends crunch and a flash of festive colour.
Serve with a selection of biscuits or candy to plunge into the creamy Christmas cookie dip and you have the perfect shareable treat for the festive season.
Here's the full, easy recipe for Christmas cookie dip.
Ingredients
- 50 g (1.8 oz) slightly salted butter softened
- 100 g (3.5 oz) full fat cream cheese
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Lotus biscoff spread
- 50 g (1.8 oz) soft light brown sugar
- 1 orange zested
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 oz) milk chocolate chips
- 50 g (1.8 oz) white chocolate chips
- 30 g (1.1 oz) red and green Smarties or M&Ms
Equipment
Instructions
Put the butter, cream cheese, Biscoff spread, sugar, orange zest and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
Whisk until light and fluffy.
Add the chocolate chips.
Gently fold through.
Transfer to a serving bowl.
Scatter with the Smarties / M&Ms and enjoy.
Don't forget to let me know how you get on!
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Christmas cookie dip
Is Christmas cookie dip easy to make?
This Christmas cookie dip recipe is very simple as there is no cooking involved. As long as you take care not to overmix your cream cheese then the cookie dip should turn out perfectly every time.
If you think your dip isn’t coming together as the recipe states you can check the pictures that go with this recipe. They should give you a good idea of the consistency and qualities that your dip should have.
Will I need any special equipment to make this Christmas cookie dip?
No, the only things you really need to make this recipe is a bowl, a whisk and your ingredients. You can use a stand mixer to mix your dip. Or if you prefer you can mix it by hand with a spatula, though it might be very difficult.
How can I tell if butter has gone off?
If your butter is fresh then it will be a nice, even cream or pale yellow colour, it should be firm and it will only have a delicious buttery smell. So it’s usually easy to tell if your butter has spoiled as soon as you open the packet.
Butter that has gone off will be a darker yellow colour rather than pale creamy yellow and it might have uneven spots on it. It will most likely smell strange too, similar to the smell of spoiled milk or cheese. If it’s really spoiled it might have mould growing on it.
It’s best to keep butter in the fridge as it will spoil if it isn’t kept somewhere cool or if it’s left exposed to the air. So you should always keep butter sealed in the fridge.
How can I tell if cream cheese has gone off?
If your cream cheese is unopened and within the Use By then it should be fine. If your cream cheese is opened then you might be able to use it. Usually, a cream cheese packet will say that you can keep an opened packet of cream cheese for a couple of days after opening as long as it has been stored correctly in a fridge.
Cream cheese should always be stored in the fridge and never left out on the counter. If your cream cheese has been left out for longer than an hour, then it’s best to discard it and use a fresh pack.
If you are using an opened packet of cream cheese and you can see that it is contaminated with food crumbs then you shouldn’t use it. This is because these contaminants might be harmful, or might contain allergens you’re unaware of.
In the UK cream cheese comes with a Use By date. This date tells you when it will no longer be safe to use your cream cheese. However, this date is only valid if you store your cream cheese in the way that that label instructs you to.
If your cream cheese looks unusual in any way you shouldn’t use it. It may look dry and cracked, with liquid pooling around it, or it could be discoloured or have mould growing on it. If it has any of these features you should discard it immediately and wash your hands and anything that has come into contact with it.
Is Christmas cookie dip suitable for vegetarians?
This recipe should be suitable for vegetarians. However, you should make sure that the Smarties or any alternatives that you use are vegetarian. This is because some candies can include gelatin or shellac.
Gelatin is an animal-derived product used to thicken jelly-like candies, so it isn’t vegetarian. Shellac is another common animal-derived ingredient that is often used to give candies a shiny coating. Shellac is made from the shell of an insect so it isn’t vegetarian.
There are various ingredients derived from insects that are also used to make food colouring, so make sure you check the labels of your candy to make sure that they’re suitable for vegetarians.
Is Christmas cookie dip suitable for vegans?
This Christmas cookie dip recipe isn’t suitable for vegans because it contains dairy and chocolate products. You could try and make this recipe with vegan butter, vegan cream cheese and vegan chocolates but I haven’t tested it.
If you do decide to make this recipe with vegan alternatives to butter and cream cheese then you should make sure that they have a similar amount of fat to dairy butter. This will help you replicate the texture as close as possible.
Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure to check that they are suitable for vegans. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the recipe with.
Is Christmas cookie dip gluten-free?
This recipe is gluten-free as it only contains dairy and sugar. However, if you use Smarties they can sometimes contain gluten. M&M’s are considered gluten-free.
If you’re cooking for someone with gluten intolerances or allergies you should always double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they’re gluten-free and of course, you should only serve them your dip with gluten-free cookies.
Is Christmas cookie dip keto-friendly?
This Christmas cookie dip contains a lot of sugar so it isn’t suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Is Christmas cookie dip healthy?
This Christmas cookie dip contains a fair bit of sugar and fat so it’s best enjoyed as an occasional festive treat. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with a treat as part of a balanced diet!
Is Christmas cookie dip safe to eat while pregnant?
There’s nothing in this recipe that should be a risk to someone who is pregnant.
The NHS advises that pregnant people shouldn’t eat soft cheeses. However, cream cheese doesn’t fall under this category as long as it has been pasteurised. Usually, cream cheeses available in supermarkets will have been pasteurised but if you’re unsure you should always check the labels.
Never risk using unpasteurised dairy when cooking for someone who is pregnant, as unpasteurised dairy may contain a harmful bacteria known as Listeria.
Always make sure all the ingredients are in good condition and this meal is prepared safely and hygienically.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.
Can I make these Christmas cookie dip without the Smarties/M&M’s?
If you don’t want to include Smarties or M&Ms that's completely fine. You can top your cookie dip with anything you like. You could even use chopped nuts or dried fruit like cranberry for an even more festive flavour.
Can I make the Christmas cookie dip without cream cheese?
This Christmas cookie dip relies on the cream cheese for it’s thick body and creamy taste and texture. If you don’t use the cream cheese then you’ll end up with a buttercream, which is completely fine if you prefer that, but it might be a bit too rich.
How should I store Christmas cookie dip?
Christmas cookie dip should be kept in the fridge or freezer as it contains cream cheese and butter which can spoil if left at room temperature. Whether you store it in the fridge or the freezer you should always make sure you store it in an airtight container.
How long does Christmas cookie dip keep?
If you store it correctly then your Christmas cookie dip will keep for up to a week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Can I leave this Christmas cookie dip out on the counter?
No, you can’t leave this Christmas cookie dip on the counter. This is because the dip contains butter and cream cheese, both of which can spoil if they aren’t kept in the fridge.
Can I make this Christmas cookie dip ahead?
Yes, you can make this Christmas cookie dip a few days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Or you could make it up to 3 months in advance and keep it in the freezer.
Can I keep Christmas cookie dip in the refrigerator?
Yes, the fridge is the best place to keep your Christmas cookie dip. Make sure you keep it in an airtight container and away from any potential contaminants like raw meat.
Can I freeze Christmas cookie dip?
If you’re super organised and want to get ready for Christmas early, then you can freeze your Christmas cookie dip for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
However, it’s best to freeze the dip without the Smarties or M&M’s. This is because if you freeze the dip with them in, their colours will run into the dip when it defrosts.
What is the best way to defrost Christmas cookie dip?
The best way to defrost your Christmas cookie dip is to transfer it to the refrigerator 24 hours before you want to use it and leave it to defrost.
Once it’s defrosted make sure to give it another mix in a stand mixer or by hand so the texture is smooth and even.
Can I make these Christmas cookie dip in a different quantity?
If you want to make more or less Christmas cookie dip then go ahead. Luckily it’s an easy recipe to change in quantity as there’s no cooking involved. I also have a really helpful tool in the recipe card below that can help you change the number of ingredients without having to work out new ratios.
To use the tool you’ll need to go to the recipe card below. You'll see the servings amount listed near the top. To change this to the number you want to make simply click on the number and a little slider will pop up.
All you need to do is move the slider up or down to get the amount of dip you want to make. Then you’ll see all of the ingredients have changed to the right amount for that quantity.
All the ingredient quantities will update automatically for you so that everything is in the right ratios.
Can I make Christmas cookie dip in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
Yes, a stand mixer would be an ideal way to make this Christmas cookie dip. This recipe requires no cooking, only mixing.
So if you want to save your arm some strength for dipping cookies, and to get a nice even mix, a stand mix would be best.
Just make sure not to leave it mixing too long once you’ve added the cream cheese, otherwise, the cream cheese might split.
Can I make Christmas cookie dip with a food processor?
A food processor isn’t really suitable for mixing this Christmas cookie dip.
If you use a food processor with blades then they might not mix everything evenly. Food processors are also much faster than a stand mixer, so you’re more likely to overmix your cream cheese and it might split.
Another reason why food processors aren’t ideal is that it is usually more difficult to get all of your mix out of the jug, so you’ll end up wasting some of your cookie dip.
How can I make sure my Christmas cookie dip turns out perfectly?
There’s no cooking in this recipe, it just involves putting your ingredients together and making sure they’re mixed together well.
So it’s important to make sure your ingredients are up to the job before you begin mixing them together. Your butter should be slightly softened, but still cool, your cream cheese should be fresh and in date and your dry ingredients should be sifted before you add them. If you don’t sift your dry ingredients you’re more likely to end up with a lumpy dip.
However ultimately to make sure you get a perfectly smooth and even Christmas cookie dip there’s only one method to get right - the mixing.
I would recommend using an electric whisk or a stand mixer with a balloon whisk on a medium setting to mix your cookie dip. This will give you a nice consistent mix that you might not get if you whisk it by hand. As it’s firmer it can be much harder to whisk up butter into a fluffy consistency than a liquid.
Why is my Christmas cookie dip runny or too loose?
If you’ve added the exact quantities of ingredients and followed every step properly then there are a couple of reasons why your Christmas cookie dip has turned out too loose or runny.
If your ingredients aren’t in the right condition then it can affect the consistency of your dip. So first before you start you should open your cream cheese and check if it has any excess liquid in the tub. If so, you should pour that away before using the cream cheese.
Next, you need to make sure that your butter is softened and chilled but not too cold. If your butter is too cold then it will be too hard. If your butter is too hard then it will take longer to break down and mix with the sugar and cream cheese, resulting in little lumps if you don’t mix it properly.
The other reason your Christmas cookie dip might be runny is that it’s been overbeaten. If you overbeat your cream cheese then it can collapse. So you should avoid using a food processor to mix the dip and you should only mix it until you have the right consistency.
The final reason your Christmas cookie dip is too runny is that it could be too warm. Butter melts as it gets warm and cream cheese gets softer, so if you’ve had your ingredients out of the fridge for too long, or if the kitchen is too hot then your dip might be too loose. Don’t worry! If you just put your dip into the fridge for 30 minutes and then try mixing it again it should firm up.
Why did my Christmas cookie dip split?
If your Christmas cookie dip has split then it’s most likely because your cream cheese has been overbeaten or the temperature is too high or too low.
Cream cheese and butter are usually pretty safe to mix, but cream cheese especially can be prone to splitting if it is too warm, too cold or has been overbeaten. When cream cheese is overbeaten it affects the fat, water and protein in the cream cheese and can cause them to separate which results in splitting.
If you think you’ve overbeaten your Christmas cookie dip then don’t worry! You should be able to save it by adding a splash of full-fat milk or some extra cream cheese and gently mix it through. Once it's mixed in then you can chill the dip for 30 minutes and try mixing it again. Adding some extra cream cheese or milk should help to rebalance the protein, fat and liquid content and repair the split cream cheese.
If you still aren’t sure there’s a helpful video here that shows you how to save split frosting, which is a similar process to this.
How can I add/change the flavours in these Christmas cookie dip?
If you want to change the flavours of this Christmas cookie dip you can do a few things. If you want to make this recipe at another time of the year and make it less festive you can take out the orange zest.
If you aren’t a Biscoff fan you can always use a different type of cookie spread. Many supermarkets have their own label versions of cookie spreads like this one by Marks & Spencer. You could even blitz some Oreos in a food processor or nutribullet with a splash of milk until it has the same consistency as Biscoff spread.
cream cheese, Biscoff spread, soft light brown sugar, 1 orange zested, ground cinnamon, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, red and green Smarties or M&Ms
Print this Christmas cookie dip recipe
Christmas Cookie Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 g (1.8 oz) slightly salted butter softened
- 100 g (3.5 oz) full fat cream cheese
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Lotus biscoff spread
- 50 g (1.8 oz) soft light brown sugar
- 1 orange zested
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 oz) milk chocolate chips
- 50 g (1.8 oz) white chocolate chips
- 30 g (1.1 oz) red and green Smarties or M&Ms
Equipment
- Serving dish
Instructions
- Put the butter, cream cheese, Biscoff spread, sugar, orange zest and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
- Whisk until light and fluffy.
- Add the chocolate chips.
- Gently fold through.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Scatter with the Smarties / M&Ms and enjoy.
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