Description
This Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is sweet, spicy, creamy, and the ultimate festive appetizer. Made with fresh cranberries, jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and soft cream cheese, it’s the perfect make-ahead dip for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or holiday parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1–2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
Optional Swaps: canned whole berry cranberry sauce, orange zest, honey or maple syrup, whipped cream cheese.
Instructions
- Pulse Cranberries: Add cranberries to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (do not puree). If using canned cranberries, skip this step.
- Mix Topping: Stir in jalapeño, cilantro, sugar, salt, and lime juice. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight to develop flavor.
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Spread softened cream cheese onto a serving dish or platter.
- Add Cranberry Mixture: Spoon the cranberry topping evenly over the cream cheese.
- Serve: Pair with crackers, crostini, pretzel thins, pita chips, or sliced vegetables.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese for rich, smooth texture.
- Let the cranberry topping chill at least 2 hours for best flavor.
- Adjust spice level by using 1 jalapeño for mild or 2 for heat.
- Do not overprocess cranberries—keep some texture.
- Store leftover topping and cream cheese separately for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Holiday
Keywords: Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip, holiday appetizers, cranberry dip, Christmas appetizers, spicy cranberry dip, cream cheese appetizers