Description
This Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday parties. It combines fresh, tart cranberries, spicy jalapeno, and aromatic cilantro with whipped cream cheese to create a creamy, sweet, and mildly spicy dip. Served chilled with crackers or chips, it is a crowd-pleaser and a colorful addition to any appetizer spread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 1 jalapeno
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cilantro
- 3 green onions
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese (softened and whipped)
Instructions
- Chop the Ingredients: Use a hand chopper or food processor on pulse mode to finely chop the fresh cranberries, jalapeno, cilantro, and green onions. Alternatively, hand chop all ingredients into small pieces, taking care not to puree the cranberries for texture.
- Mix and Refrigerate: Transfer the chopped mixture into a bowl. Add sugar, salt, and optional lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to let the flavors meld and the mixture to chill.
- Strain the Mixture: When ready to serve, strain the cranberry mixture in a fine colander or sieve to remove excess juices. This step is important to avoid a runny dip and ensures the topping sits well on the cream cheese base.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: Place the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Whip it using a mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable. This aeration makes the dip creamy and smooth.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the whipped cream cheese evenly on the bottom of a pie plate, serving platter, or large plate.
- Top and Serve: Spoon and evenly distribute the strained cranberry jalapeno mixture over the cream cheese layer. Serve immediately with crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best texture and tart flavor; frozen cranberries may be too soft.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno to control the heat level of the dip based on your preference.
- The lemon juice is optional but adds a nice brightness to balance the sweetness.
- Straining the cranberry mixture is key to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- For a smoother dip, whip the cream cheese thoroughly until very fluffy.
- This dip can be made a day in advance to allow flavors to develop better.
- Serve chilled for a refreshing taste and firmer texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 79 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
