Save to Pinterest A vibrant, sweet-and-spicy dip featuring tangy cranberries, zesty jalapeño, and smooth cream cheese—perfect for holiday gatherings or festive snacking.
I first brought this dip to a holiday party and watched it vanish in minutes. The unexpected kick from jalapeño paired with cool cream cheese always gets rave reviews—and recipe requests—from friends and family.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries: 1 cup, finely chopped
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup
- Jalapeño: 1 medium, seeded and finely diced
- Fresh cilantro: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Green onion: 2 tablespoons, finely sliced
- Fresh lime juice: 1 tablespoon
- Ground cumin: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: Pinch
- Cream cheese: 16 oz (450 g), softened
Instructions
- Make cranberry topping:
- In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, sugar, jalapeño, cilantro, green onion, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes so flavors meld and cranberries macerate.
- Prepare cream cheese layer:
- Spread softened cream cheese evenly onto a serving platter or shallow dish, creating a smooth layer about 1/2-inch thick.
- Top and serve:
- Spoon the cranberry-jalapeño mixture (including juices) evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Enjoy:
- Serve immediately with crackers, sliced baguette, or vegetable sticks, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for enhanced flavor.
Save to Pinterest This dip has become a family favorite for our winter get-togethers—everyone gathers around, scooping up creamy, spicy bites while sharing stories and laughter.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, spatula or spoon, serving platter or shallow dish, sharp knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cream cheese). Gluten-free if served with gluten-free dippers. Always check labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 170. Total Fat: 12 g. Carbohydrates: 12 g. Protein: 3 g.
Save to Pinterest Serve this dip chilled or at room temperature for best flavor. It's sure to bring a pop of color and taste to your table!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I adjust the heat level?
To increase heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in the topping. For less spice, remove all seeds before dicing.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, the cream cheese base can be spread ahead of time, but add the cranberry mixture just before serving to keep layers fresh.
- → What are good serving suggestions?
Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or crisp vegetable sticks like celery and carrots for contrast and texture.
- → Are there any substitutions to lighten the dish?
Try replacing half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt to reduce richness while maintaining creaminess.
- → What flavors complement this dip well?
Notes of cumin and lime juice enhance the fresh jalapeño and cranberry flavors, creating a balanced sweet-spicy profile.