Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and creamy flavors that will excite your taste buds. It’s a quick and easy appetizer to prepare, ideal for parties or cozy nights in. Serve it with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or canned cranberry sauce)
• 1-2 jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust according to heat preference)
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for added sweetness)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
2. Step 2: Mix in the sour cream until well blended with the cream cheese.
3. Step 3: If using fresh cranberries, chop them coarsely. If using canned cranberry sauce, simply add it to the mixture and stir until fully combined.
4. Step 4: Add the finely chopped jalapeños to the mixture, adjusting the amount based on your heat preference.
5. Step 5: Fold in the sliced green onions for added crunch and flavor.
6. Step 6: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the dip.
7. Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a sweeter dip, add honey and mix well.
8. Step 8: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Step 9: Once chilled, serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• Use canned cranberry sauce for a smoother texture and quicker prep time.
• For extra heat, add more jalapeños or include a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack for a spicier twist.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Serve the dip in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a festive presentation.

Storage

Store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes and give it a quick stir. It can be refrigerated overnight to deepen the flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, making the dip a few hours or even the day before allows the flavors to blend beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh cranberries?

If fresh cranberries aren’t available, canned cranberry sauce works perfectly and adds a nice sweetness and texture to the dip.

Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 75 reviews

This Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. It combines the creamy richness of softened cream cheese with the tartness of fresh cranberries or sweet canned cranberry sauce, balanced by the spicy kick of jalapeños and the sharpness of cheddar cheese. Enhanced with green onions and a hint of honey, this dip offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes, served best chilled alongside tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dip Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or canned cranberry sauce)
• 1–2 jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust according to heat preference)
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for added sweetness)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving

• Tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth to create a creamy base for the dip.
2. Add Sour Cream: Mix in the sour cream thoroughly until well blended with the cream cheese for additional creaminess.
3. Incorporate Cranberries: If using fresh cranberries, chop them coarsely before adding. If using canned cranberry sauce, add it directly. Stir the mixture until fully combined to blend the tartness evenly.
4. Mix in Jalapeños: Add the finely chopped jalapeños to the mixture. Adjust quantity based on your preferred level of heat to give the dip a spicy kick.
5. Add Green Onions: Fold in the sliced green onions to provide a fresh crunch and enhance the flavor depth.
6. Cheese Time: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese evenly to incorporate a rich, cheesy flavor throughout the dip.
7. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. For a sweeter profile, add honey and mix well to balance the spice and tartness.
8. Chill: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
9. Serve: Once chilled, serve the dip with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

Notes

• You can use canned cranberry sauce as a convenient alternative to fresh cranberries.
• Adjust jalapeño quantity to control the dip’s heat level.
• For a smoother texture, finely chop all ingredients before mixing.
• Chilling the dip enhances the flavors and firms up the consistency.
• Honey is optional and can be omitted or substituted with another sweetener as preferred.

Keywords: Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip, Cream Cheese Dip, Spicy Cranberry Dip, Party Dip, Holiday Appetizer, Jalapeño Dip