My Grandma’s 4-Ingredient Cream Cheese Dip Was Legendary (I Make It Every Christmas Eve)

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Garlic, cream cheese, clams, and lemon juice combine to make one of my family’s favorite holiday appetizers. No one makes this dip as good as my grandma did (only grandmas can add that grandma magic), but my sister, dad, and I have done our best to recreate it now that she’s no longer with us.

It’s one of those recipes that’s so delicious, it doesn’t seem right that it only takes a few minutes to make. (Again with the grandma magic!) This plus a veggie tray and maybe some shrimp cocktail, and you’ve got yourself the perfect grazing spread to hold you over until Christmas dinner.

There’s just something about garlic paired with clams, in a creamy base — especially if the dip is allowed to refrigerate overnight; the garlic really comes to life for some creamy, savory goodness. Paired with salty potato chips, it’s a perfect flavor combo. It’s decadent, rich, and exactly what you want as part of a holiday spread. But beware — this stuff is hard to stop eating once you start! Make sure there’s enough to go around.