Christmas Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Christmas Cranberry Jalapeno Dip is a festive appetizer featuring a vibrant cranberry topping layered over smooth cream cheese. The combination of tart cranberries, mild heat from jalapeno, fresh herbs, citrus, and a touch of sweetness creates a balanced dip with creamy, sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy flavors.
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Ingredients
- 2 packages cream cheese 8 ounces each, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries preferred for the brightest color and best flavor
- 5 green onions sliced very thin
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed and minced finely for a milder heat level
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Crackers for serving such as Ritz or Wheat Thins
Instructions
- Place the fresh cranberries into a food processor or blender. Pulse briefly until the berries are chopped into coarse pieces.
- Add the sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice, and salt to the cranberries. Pulse again until the ingredients are evenly combined and finely chopped into a unified cranberry mixture.
- Spoon the cranberry-jalapeno mixture into a covered container. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or leave it chilled overnight, allowing the flavors to blend and deepen.
- When ready to assemble, spread the softened cream cheese evenly across a serving plate or into a 9-inch pie dish, forming a smooth creamy layer.
- Spoon the chilled cranberry-jalapeno topping over the cream cheese base, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Cover the assembled dip and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving so the topping and cream cheese can chill together.
- Serve the dip cold with crackers, offering a festive appetizer with a creamy base and a bright sweet-spicy cranberry topping.