Festive Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

a block of cream cheese topped with Cranberry jalapeno dip. Butter crackers and bread slices are in the background.

Festive Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

This festive and fun cranberry jalapeno dip is the perfect Christmas Recipe. Tart cranberries and spicy jalapeños combine for a holiday dip your family and guest will love.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Cranberry, Cream Cheese, Jalapeno Recipes

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings People

Calories 264kcal

Author Darcey Olson

Cost $5

Equipment

Hand Chopper

Ingredients

12 oz Fresh Cranberries *Note 1
¼ Cup Green Onions, Chopped *Note 2
1-2 Jalapeno pepper, Seeded and Diced *Note 3
½ Cup Sugar (+ More If You Like It Sweet) *Note 4
1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
¼ tsp Cumin
⅛ tsp Salt
16 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
Crackers and/or Bread For Serving *Note 5

Instructions

Pulse the cranberries with a hand blender or food processor until coarsely chopped (you can also chop them by hand). DO NOT over blend. Add the green onions, jalapeño, sugar, cumin, lemon juice and salt and pulse until the ingredients are chopped and combined.
Transfer the mixture to a covered bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). (*Note 6)
Right before serving, place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate. Top with the cranberry mixture. You can do this step up to an hour before serving, however keep it stored in the refrigerator until ready to consume.
Serve with crackers or bread.

Notes

Note 1: If possible, use a hand chopper to chop the cranberries as to control the size. If you do over mix it, just drain off the excess liquid when you're done making the recipe.

Note 2: Use both the green and white parts of the green onion.

Note 3: If you're not sure how much spice you like, start with one and add a second for an extra kick. Go straight to 2 jalapeños if you like things spicy.

Note 4: Start with a 1/2 cup of sugar. You can add up to an extra 1/2 cup of sugar to this dip if you like things super sweet.

Note 5: Serve with butter crackers, Ritz crackers, wheat thins, pita chips, french bread or any other vessel you prefer for dips.

Note 6: This allows the tartness of the cranberries to mellow a smidge. You will have more liquid to drain off the longer it sits, but the flavor and quality will not be compromised.

Nutrition