Description
This festive Holiday Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with a spicy kick of jalapeños and the creamy smoothness of softened cream cheese. Perfect for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings, this appetizer is easy to prepare, requires no cooking, and offers a balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature with your favorite crackers, pita chips, or baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
Cranberry Mixture
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberries: In a food processor, pulse the fresh cranberries until they are finely chopped but not pureed, ensuring the mixture retains some texture. Transfer the chopped cranberries into a medium-sized bowl for mixing.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the chopped green onions, finely diced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, granulated sugar, lime juice, and salt to the bowl with the cranberries. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined, allowing the sugar to start dissolving into the mixture.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling step helps flavors meld and the sugar to fully dissolve, enhancing the dip’s taste.
- Prepare the Serving Base: When ready to serve, spread the softened cream cheese evenly across a serving plate or shallow dish to create a smooth, even layer. This acts as the creamy foundation for the cranberry topping.
- Assemble the Dip: Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture evenly over the layer of cream cheese, distributing it to cover the surface nicely. This layered presentation makes it visually appealing.
- Serve: Serve the dip chilled or at room temperature accompanied by crackers, pita chips, or sliced baguette to complement the creamy and zesty flavors.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, stir the cranberry mixture directly into the softened cream cheese before spreading onto the serving dish.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños to suit your desired spice level ranging from mild to spicy.
- This dip can be prepared 1 to 2 days ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator for convenience.
