Spicy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe
This Spicy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip combines the bright tartness of fresh cranberries with a kick of jalapeno heat, mellowed by a creamy base of softened cream cheese. It is a perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings or any party, offering a vibrant balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors served with your favorite crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Topping
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 5 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded and finely minced for less heat)
- 1 cup sugar (preferably Dixie Crystals)
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1/4 tsp salt
Base
- 2 (8 oz) packs cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- Crackers for serving (such as Ritz or Wheat Thins)
Instructions
- Chop Ingredients: Begin by placing the fresh cranberries into a food processor or blender and pulse until they are coarsely chopped.
- Combine Topping Ingredients: Add the sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice, and salt to the cranberries in the processor. Pulse again until all ingredients are finely chopped and well combined, creating a cohesive topping mixture.
- Refrigerate Topping: Transfer this cranberry-jalapeno mixture into a covered container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and develop fully.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Base: When ready to serve, spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a serving plate or a 9-inch pie dish to form the creamy base layer for the dip.
- Assemble Dip: Spread the chilled cranberry-jalapeno topping evenly over the cream cheese layer. Cover and place back into the refrigerator for up to one hour to let flavors integrate.
- Serve: Remove the dip from the refrigerator and serve chilled with your choice of crackers such as Ritz or Wheat Thins, enjoying the sweet, spicy, and creamy flavor combination.
Notes
- For milder heat, ensure the jalapeno is fully seeded and finely minced.
- The dip benefits from chilling time, so prepare it in advance to maximize flavor melding.
- Use fresh cranberries for the best color, texture, and tartness.
- Adjust sugar amount to taste if you prefer less sweetness.
- Softening cream cheese to room temperature helps in easy spreading and smooth texture.
Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeno dip, spicy cranberry dip, holiday appetizer, cream cheese dip, party appetizers
Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/spicy-cranberry-jalapeno-dip-recipe/
