Description
Creamy holiday cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip combines tangy cranberries with spicy peppers for a festive appetizer. Guests will savor bold flavors and smooth textures that complement crackers or toasted bread perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 bag (12 oz / 340 g) fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
- 12 jalapenos, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice (about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup (10 g) fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh vegetables
Instructions
- Preparation: Pulse cranberries in a food processor to achieve a coarse chop, maintaining a rustic texture that preserves their natural integrity.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine the chopped cranberries with sugar, lime juice, diced jalapenos, cilantro, and salt in a mixing bowl, allowing the ingredients to macerate and develop a harmonious flavor profile for 15-20 minutes.
- Creamy Foundation: Spread softened cream cheese evenly across a serving platter, creating a smooth, consistent base that will serve as the canvas for the vibrant cranberry mixture.
- Layering and Chilling: Generously top the cream cheese with the marinated cranberry mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Wrap securely and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to intermingle and intensify.
- Serving: Unveil the dip from the refrigerator and present alongside an assortment of dipping companions such as artisan crackers, crisp tortilla chips, or fresh vegetable crudités for a festive and inviting appetizer experience.
Notes
- Preserve Cranberry Texture: Pulse food processor carefully to maintain rough, chunky cranberry pieces for optimal mouthfeel and visual appeal.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on personal heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for intense kick.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let cranberry mixture rest at room temperature to allow ingredients to blend and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare dip up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in refrigerator to enhance flavor development and simplify party preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg