Name: Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces fresh cranberries; 5 green onions, chopped; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced; 3/4 cup sugar (adjust more or less to taste); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

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Introduction

This Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors that brighten up any gathering. It’s easy to prepare and makes a fantastic appetizer for holiday parties or casual get-togethers. Serve it with crackers or tortilla chips for a delightful snack.

The image shows a white plate filled with a creamy white spread topped with a bright red and finely chopped cranberry mixture with bits of green herbs scattered on top. Surrounding the plate, there are square and round crackers arranged in piles and single pieces, some topped with the same creamy spread and cranberry mix. Fresh green cilantro leaves and a few whole cranberries are scattered around the white marbled surface. To the left side, a wooden-handled spreader knife with some of the creamy spread and cranberry mix on its blade is placed. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries
5 green onions (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and finely diced)
3/4 cup sugar (more or less, to taste)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)

Instructions

Step 1: Place the cranberries in the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse to roughly chop them. Add the chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice, and salt. Pulse until the mixture is well combined and finely chopped, but not pureed.
Step 2: Refrigerate the cranberry mixture for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld. You can refrigerate it longer if needed, but note the mixture will release more juice the longer it sits.
Step 3: Spread the cream cheese evenly on a serving plate or pie plate.
Step 4: Spoon the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese layer.
Step 5: Serve with crackers or tortilla chips for spreading and dipping.

Tips & Variations

For a milder dip, remove all the seeds from the jalapeno or substitute with a small amount of finely diced bell pepper.
If you prefer a sweeter dip, adjust the sugar amount to taste or add a drizzle of honey.
Try swapping cilantro for fresh parsley if you’re not a fan of its strong flavor.
Make it ahead and refrigerate overnight for even more developed flavor.

Storage

Store the dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving if the liquid separates. It is best enjoyed chilled but can be brought to room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving if preferred.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a two-layer spread with visible texture. The bottom layer is creamy white, smooth, and spread evenly across the plate. The top layer is a coarse, finely chopped mix of deep red with green bits mixed in, giving a fresh and vibrant appearance. A woman's hand is using a wooden-handled spreader to lift a portion, showing the clear separation of the creamy base and the colorful topping. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this dip?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before combining to avoid making the dip too watery.

What can I serve with this cranberry cream cheese dip?

This dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of crackers, tortilla chips, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetable sticks like celery and carrot for dipping.