Description

This Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is a delightful blend of creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors perfect for holiday gatherings or casual snacking. Made with fresh cranberries, spicy jalapenos, brown sugar, and cream cheese, it’s easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with crackers, pita chips, or sliced baguette.

Ingredients

Scale

Dip Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup fresh cranberries, chopped
1–2 jalapenos, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For Serving

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Crackers (pita chips, or sliced baguette)

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: Chop the fresh cranberries into small pieces to ensure each bite delivers a delightful tart burst. Finely dice the jalapenos; remove the seeds if you prefer a milder heat or keep them for more spice. Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes until soft for easier mixing.
Combine the Flavor Base: In a mixing bowl, add the chopped cranberries, diced jalapenos, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently so the brown sugar evenly coats the cranberries, blending all the flavors harmoniously.
Add Cream Cheese: Place the softened cream cheese in the center of the cranberry-jalapeno mixture. Use a spatula to fold everything slowly and gently together. Folding carefully preserves the texture of the cranberries while achieving a creamy consistency.
Taste and Adjust: Sample the dip and adjust seasoning if needed. Add a pinch more salt, sugar, or lemon juice to balance the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes to your liking.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the dip to a serving dish or place it atop a block of cream cheese for a festive look. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Arrange crackers, pita chips, or sliced baguette around the dip for convenient and delicious dipping.
Make-Ahead Option: Cover and refrigerate the dip for 2 to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, bring the dip to room temperature for 10–15 minutes to enjoy the creamiest texture.

Notes

Removing jalapeno seeds reduces heat; adjust according to spice preference.
Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor; frozen cranberries can be used but may alter texture.
This dip can be made a day ahead to deepen the flavors.
Serve with a variety of crackers or breads for different textures.
Chopped cilantro is optional but adds a fresh herbal note.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeno cream cheese dip, holiday appetizer, easy party dip, sweet and spicy dip