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Easy Creamy Jalapeño Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

creamy jalapeño cranberry cream cheese dip - featured image
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A quick and easy cold dip that combines creamy cream cheese with tart cranberries and mild jalapeño heat. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this crowd-pleaser comes together in under 15 minutes and is proof that the best recipes often come from kitchen accidents.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds and membranes removed, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • Crackers (butter crackers or water crackers), for serving
  • Crostini or baguette slices (toasted), for serving
  • Vegetable sticks (celery, carrot sticks, or cucumber rounds), for serving

Instructions

  1. Soften the cream cheese: Take cream cheese out of fridge at least 30 minutes before starting. It should be soft enough that pressing with a finger leaves a slight indent. For faster softening, cut into cubes and let sit for 15 minutes. Do not microwave.
  2. Make the creamy base: Place softened cream cheese in mixing bowl. Add sour cream, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, scraping down sides halfway through, until smooth, fluffy, and pale.
  3. Prep your mix-ins: Finely chop cranberries to about the size of small peas. Dice jalapeño into very small pieces after removing seeds and membranes. Chop cilantro and slice green onion.
  4. Fold in the flavor: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold chopped cranberries, diced jalapeño, cilantro, and green onion into cream cheese mixture. Fold about 10 to 12 times until evenly distributed.
  5. Chill: Transfer dip to serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows flavors to meld and dip to firm up to scoopable consistency.
  6. Garnish and serve: Just before serving, add extra chopped cranberries and a thin slice of jalapeño on top for garnish if desired. Serve chilled with crackers, crostini, or vegetable sticks.

Notes

For best results, let dip chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Can be made up to 24 hours in advance. For a milder dip, use half the jalapeño or substitute with poblano pepper. For more heat, leave some seeds in. If using frozen cranberries, thaw and drain first. Do not freeze leftover dip as texture becomes grainy. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: cream cheese dip, cranberry jalapeño dip, holiday appetizer, easy dip, cold dip, no-bake appetizer, Thanksgiving appetizer, Christmas appetizer, New Year's Eve appetizer

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/easy-creamy-jalape-n-o-cranberry-cream-cheese-dip/