Description
Fresh cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip is a festive, tangy, and slightly spicy appetizer that’s perfect for holidays, parties, and gatherings. With tart cranberries, zesty lime, fresh herbs, and a hint of heat layered over a creamy cheese base, this colorful dip is irresistible and guaranteed to impress any crowd.
Ingredients
12 oz fresh cranberries
1/4 cup cane sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped green onions (white and green parts)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
Juice of 1/2 large lime (or 1 small lime)
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
1 jalapeño, finely chopped (remove seeds and ribs for less heat)
1 log (3–4 oz) goat cheese, softened
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Add cranberries to a food processor and pulse 12–15 times until chopped but not pureed.
- Transfer to a large bowl and stir in sugar, green onions, cilantro, ginger, lime juice, salt, and jalapeño. Mix well to dissolve sugar.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator) to allow flavors to meld.
- Rinse out the food processor bowl. Blend goat cheese and cream cheese until fluffy and smooth.
- Spread the cheese mixture onto a serving plate in swoops.
- Drain excess liquid from the cranberry mixture with a fine mesh strainer, then spoon generously over the cheese base.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or crostini.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, use all cream cheese and skip the goat cheese.
- Swap lime juice for orange juice for a sweeter citrus note.
- Add pomegranate arils for extra color and crunch.
- Use honey, maple syrup, or agave instead of cane sugar.
- Drain the cranberry topping well before assembling to prevent a watery dip.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
