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Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

November 4, 2019 by Jaida 45 Comments

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Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is made of whipped cream cheese topped with a fresh cranberry and jalapeno relish, and is the perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering.

cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip

One of my favorite party appetizers is cream cheese smothered in some sort of sweet and spicy sauce. like raspberry chipotle sauce, and plenty of crackers to scoop it up with.

But for the holidays, I like to fancy things up a bit. Instead of plopping the whole block of cream cheese on a plate, this cream cheese is whipped and then spread into a pretty dish. And the topping? Not your average salsa or sauce, that’s for sure.

cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip

Fresh cranberries are chopped and mixed with sugar, jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro then marinated for a bit before spreading on top of the cream cheese. And the result is a dip that is truly amazing. Creamy, a little sweet, a little crunchy with just a hint of heat, and absolutely chock full of holiday flavor. Because, cranberries = holiday flavor. In case you didn’t know.

Cream cheese is a weakness of mine, and this dip didn’t stand a chance once it was made. It makes a good amount, but be prepared for it to disappear from the appetizer table just as fast as you put it down.

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

This week I’ve teamed up with some other amazing bloggers to bring you more than 60 cranberry recipes to make your holidays extra delicious! Check out the other recipes from today below!

cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip
cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is made of whipped cream cheese topped with a fresh cranberry and jalapeno relish, and is the perfect appetizer for any holiday gathering.
4.59 from 79 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Appetizer, Cranberry, Jalapeno
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Resting Time: 10 hours hours
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 – 20 servings
Author: Jaida

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh uncooked cranberries
  • 2 green onions
  • 1-2 fresh jalapeño peppers, ribs and seeds removed
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened

Instructions

  • Use hand food chopper to chop cranberries.
  • Chop green onion, jalapeño peppers and cilantro.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, green onion, cilantro and jalapeños with the sugar, lemon juice and salt and stir gently until blended.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
  • Remove cranberry mixture from the fridget and stir. Strain out all the liquid.
  • Use a hand mixer to whip softened cream cheese smooth (about 2 minutes) and spread cream cheese over bottom of a pie plate or 9×9 dish.
  • Pour cranberry mixture on top of the cream cheese and serve with crackers (or refrigerate until ready to serve.)

Notes

Recipe from Sparrows and Lily
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetbeginblog or tag #sweetbeginblog!

It’s Cranberry Week! See all the other delicious cranberry recipes being shared today (and follow #cranberryweek to see even more):

Cranberry & Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey Meatloaf from Savory Moments
Cranberry Butter from Daily Dish Recipes
Cranberry Curd Pie from The Redhead Baker
Cranberry Glazed Meatballs from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip from Sweet Beginnings
Cranberry Orange Marmalade from Books n’ Cooks
Cranberry Prosecco Punch from Our Good Life
Cranberry Salsa from The Freshman Cook
Cranberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes from Our Crafty Mom
Cranberry Walnut Bread from Palatable Pastime
Easy Homemade Cranberry Vanilla Liqueur from Family Around the Table
Homemade Granola Recipe (with cranberries & coconut) from Caroline’s Cooking
Jalapeno Cranberry Bombs from Cookaholic Wife
Pear and Cranberry Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Polar Espresso Cookies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Roasted Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Sugared Sparkling Cranberries from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Tart Cherry Cranberry Sauce from The Spiffy Cookie

Filed Under: Appetizer, Christmas, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Appetizer, Cranberry, Cream Cheese, Dip, Jalapeno

Previous Post: « Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Next Post: Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline

    November 4, 2019 at 6:41 am

    What a colorful dip! Great for a festive party.

    Reply
  2. Wendy Klik

    November 4, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    I don’t think I have ever eaten a fresh cranberry. I’m not sure I realized you could. Thanks for the information and the recipe.

    Reply
  3. Karen

    November 4, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    This takes cream cheese topped with pepper jelly to a whole new level. Gorgeous and it sounds delicious.

    Reply
  4. Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck

    November 4, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    I go crazy for pepper jelly and cream cheese, so I just know that I’m going to love this!!!

    Reply
  5. Amy (Savory Moments)

    November 4, 2019 at 7:38 pm

    This is such a colorful, flavorful, and festive dip — and perfect with the cream cheese!

    Reply
  6. Hezzi-D

    November 5, 2019 at 5:33 am

    I really like dips with cream cheese underneath and this one sounds like a sweet and spicy one! Yum!

    Reply
  7. Cheese Curd In Paradise

    November 18, 2019 at 11:23 am

    5 stars
    What a perfect appetizer for the holidays! I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  8. The Freshman Cook

    November 21, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    This sounds wonderful and a “must make” for the holidays! So pretty!

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth Waterson

    November 26, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    5 stars
    My sisters would die for this dip, looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  10. kylee

    November 27, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    5 stars
    This looks incredible and I love how it’s make-ahead!! Going on the must-make list!

    Reply
  11. Bernice Hill

    November 27, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars
    How festive! I bet cranberries are so awesome in a salsa…and perfect on cream cheese. Pinning this one for later!

    Reply
  12. Analida Braeger

    November 28, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    This is my kind of appetizer! I love the colors in this dish and I will be making this for my next tapas party! Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Candice

    November 30, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    Saw this recipe and just had to make it for Thanksgiving. It’s so different and delicious… was such a hit! Love your creativity here… thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Megan Ellam

    November 30, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so amazing. I cant get fresh cranberries in Australia what do you think would work best as a substitute?

    Reply
    • Terry

      December 13, 2020 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      I used raspberries once in this recipe. It was great!

      Reply
    • Hollie

      December 25, 2023 at 3:31 pm

      Had this with craisins and it tastes great!

      Reply
    • Lydia

      December 22, 2024 at 4:12 am

      I would think cherries would be a good substitute but cranberries are super tart, so maybe you’d need a lot less sugar. Or if not cherries some other tart fruit/ berry, like lingonberries.

      Reply
  15. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

    December 1, 2019 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    This has my name all over it! I’m a dip person and the flavor combinations in this recipe sound divine!!!

    Reply
  16. Marisa F. Stewart

    December 1, 2019 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    I made this for Thanksgiving and everyone went nuts over it! It was a great way to get our traditional cranberries in and since we all love spicy the jalapeño component was ideal. This is going to be a regular appetizer at our house during the holidays.

    Reply
    • Jaida

      December 1, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      I am so glad to hear this, Marisa! Thank you for the comment!

      Reply
  17. Nicole Washington

    December 1, 2019 at 9:59 pm

    I definitley need to add this to my Christmas Party dish list! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Debbie

    December 1, 2019 at 11:51 pm

    5 stars
    What a wonder combination of flavors..tart cranberries , spicy jalapenos and creamy cream cheese. The perfect holiday appetizer .

    Reply
  19. Nicole

    December 2, 2019 at 12:00 am

    i’m obsessed with cream cheese topped with pepper jelly, so I know I will absolutely love this! In fact, this recipe looks so dangerous, that I might make it and not share it when anyone!

    Reply
  20. Natalie

    December 2, 2019 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    I found this recipe just before Thanksgiving and I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t wrong for giving it a go. It turned out to be super delicious and my whole family loved it. I will make this again. For sure!

    Reply
  21. April

    December 24, 2019 at 11:37 am

    What if you can’t get your hands on fresh cranberry? Would frozen work?

    Reply
    • Jaida

      December 24, 2019 at 11:40 am

      Hi April! I can’t say with certainty if frozen would work…they might get mushy afrer thawing versus staying kind of crisp. The flavor would probably still be good, but texture might not. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  22. Leah

    January 2, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    5 stars
    This is seriously one of the most delicious things I’ve made/eaten! I made a big batch of the cranberry relish and not only served it as dip on cream cheese but also used some as a garnish on burgers with brie and dijon mustard and served with tortilla chips as salsa. Everyone who’s tried it has loved it.

    Reply
    • Jaida

      January 2, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Leah, I am so glad to hear that you loved it. And I love the other ways you used the cranberry relish – that sounds amazing!!

      Reply
  23. Amanda

    October 16, 2020 at 8:01 am

    This looks amazing! Given the season, I’m picking a bunch of jalapeños and cranberries right now. Do you know if you can can this recipe? Just curious because I’d love to make a big batch to use through the holiday season!

    Reply
    • Jaida

      October 16, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Hi Amanda! Thank you! I am not sure about canning as I’ve never tried. You may be able to freeze the salsa part of the mixture, however, that could change the texture of the cranberries and jalapenos once thawed. Maybe try freezing just a small amount first and see what the texture is like after thawing, and then go from there 🙂 Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

      Reply
  24. Lisa

    November 21, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    My family loves this dip. It is my go to potluck dish. It is always a favorite. I like jalapeños so I use 4 or 5. With the cream cheese and crackers it is not spicy. I’m hungry just thinking about it! 😋

    Reply
    • Jaida

      November 22, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      Hi Lisa! So glad to hear that you and your family love it!

      Reply
  25. Cyndi

    November 24, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    I love this, and my family devours it. One of my favorite things about this recipe, though, is using the strained liquid in margaritas! It creates some ridiculously delicious simple syrup.

    If you haven’t tried that yet, do it!

    Reply
    • Jaida

      December 6, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Cyndi, that sounds delicious, I will definitely have to try that!

      Reply
  26. Deborah Abernathy

    November 25, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! My family loves it!!!

    Reply
    • Jaida

      December 6, 2021 at 8:48 am

      Thank you so much Deborah! So glad you all enjoy it!

      Reply
  27. Shawna

    November 11, 2023 at 1:42 pm

    could the fruit mixture sit in the fridge for two days before making the remainder? I wanted to make sure it wouldn’t affect the recipe

    Reply
    • Jaida

      November 15, 2023 at 12:25 pm

      I haven’t tried it that way, but it would likely be ok. I wouldn’t do it more than 2 days ahead though, in case the cranberries lose their crispness and get mushy.

      Reply
  28. Amelia

    November 16, 2023 at 9:07 am

    Probably silly question but two packs of green onions or just two stems?

    Reply
    • Jaida

      December 12, 2023 at 1:32 pm

      So sorry I’m just now seeing this..two stems!

      Reply
  29. Lauralei

    November 22, 2023 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    I have used this recipe a couple of time but I have modified it because I detest green onions.
    I chop a good slice of ginger and use it instead. Love it and get rave reviews.

    Reply
  30. JOSETTE PINO

    December 14, 2023 at 5:44 pm

    5 stars
    Came across an enticing recipe that looked and sounded amazing, so I had to try it out – turned out delicious!

    Reply
  31. Cheryl

    November 25, 2024 at 12:40 pm

    What crackers are best w this recipe? Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  32. Robin Grodsky

    December 17, 2024 at 4:17 pm

    I made this for my Bunco group and it was a hit. I used half the cilantro as I feel it ‘s overpowering. I’m going to make it again for Christmas Eve and will buy a chopper before then. I love the variety of flavors and the presentation is beautiful.

    Reply
  33. Katie

    December 31, 2024 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    I made this and was a hit it was so delicious I omitted the cilantro because I don’t like it but it was amazing without. I also liked some of the cranberry mixture into the cream cheese it was so good.

    Reply
4.59 from 79 votes (52 ratings without comment)

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As a busy wife and mom who also works a full time job, I try to have dinner done in 30 minutes or less so I can spend more of my evenings with my hubby and baby girl, so what you will find here are recipes that are mostly-healthy, quick and easy. Of course I have desserts, less healthy and more time-intensive meals as well (everything in moderation!), but all-in-all, you can count on weeknight friendly options, all made with love and dished up with a side of life, love, and family! Read More…

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