Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Add Sour Cream: Mix in the sour cream thoroughly until well blended with the cream cheese for additional creaminess.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Green Onions: Fold in the sliced green onions to provide a fresh crunch and enhance the flavor depth.
- Cheese Time: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese evenly to incorporate a rich, cheesy flavor throughout the dip.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. For a sweeter profile, add honey and mix well to balance the spice and tartness.
- Chill: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- 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
