Description
Holiday cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip is a vibrant and festive appetizer that combines tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños, and fresh herbs layered over smooth cream cheese. This sweet, spicy, and tangy dip is perfect for holiday parties, Thanksgiving, or Christmas gatherings and pairs wonderfully with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Jalapeño Mixture
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Base
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
For Serving
- Crackers or baguette slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberries: Rinse and drain the fresh cranberries thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities. Place them in a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped but not pureed, maintaining some texture.
- Mix the Dip Ingredients: Transfer the chopped cranberries to a mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped jalapeños, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Stir all ingredients together until well combined to meld the flavors.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: When ready to serve, spread the softened cream cheese evenly into a layer on a serving platter or shallow dish. For a lighter texture, you can beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until whipped before spreading.
- Assemble the Dip: Spoon the chilled cranberry and jalapeño mixture over the cream cheese layer evenly, creating a colorful, flavorful topping.
- Serve: Serve the completed dip chilled alongside crackers, pita chips, or toasted baguette slices for a festive holiday appetizer.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños to suit your preferred spice level.
- This dip can be prepared up to 2 days ahead; keep the cranberry mixture and cream cheese separate until ready to assemble.
- For a whipped and fluffier base, beat the cream cheese with a mixer before spreading.
- Use gluten-free crackers to make this dish gluten-free.
