Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip + Spread

Dipping a cracker into a bowl of cranberry jalapeno cheese dip.

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip + Spread

This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a quick, fun, and easy recipe perfect for holiday parties. Tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños and cream cheese are match made in heaven.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Appetizer

American

162 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

4 ounce cranberries, fresh or frozen
¼ cup onion, finely diced or grated (I like sweet or red onion)
2 jalapenos, finely diced (include ribs and seeds for more heat)
½ cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoon water
½ tablespoon lemon Juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 pinches kosher salt, or more, to taste
8 ounce cream cheese, softened

Instructions

Over medium heat, combine everything except the cream cheese in a small saucepan. Bring to a bubble and simmer for about 10 minutes until the cranberries have popped and it thickens to a jammy consistency. Transfer to a medium bowl to cool for about 15 minutes. (Give it a stir every few minutes to promote cooling.)
Add softened cream cheese to the cranberry mixture and stir together to combine (an electric hand mixer is great for this).

Notes

Optional garnishes: chopped green onion or chives, fresh cilantro, jalapeno slices.
Make the dip one day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. To serve, give a a stir and transfer the dip to a pretty bowl. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Serve it with crackers, crusty bread, tortilla chips, pita chips, celery sticks, mini bell peppers, spread it on bagels, sandwiches + wraps.

Nutrition

holidays, make ahead, stove top

Drop a comment or question!Have a question about recipe variations or techniques? Did this recipe make your taste buds do a happy dance? Let me know in the ratings and comments! Your feedback keeps our kitchen sizzling and helps us cook up more free, mouthwatering recipes for you.