Description

A vibrant and tangy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip combining fresh cranberries, green onions, jalapeno, and cilantro with creamy, smooth cream cheese. Perfectly sweetened with sugar and brightened with lemon juice, this easy-to-make dip is ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a flavorful snack served with crackers or tortilla chips.

Ingredients

Scale

Dip Mixture

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

Cream Cheese Base

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

Instructions

Chop the Cranberries and Mix Ingredients: Place the fresh cranberries into the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until they are roughly chopped. Add the chopped green onions, cilantro, diced jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice, and salt. Pulse the mixture several times until all ingredients are finely chopped and incorporated but not pureed, preserving a slightly chunky texture.
Refrigerate to Blend Flavors: Transfer the cranberry mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the cranberries to release some juice. The flavor and texture will intensify the longer it chills.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a serving plate or pie plate to create a smooth layer that will serve as the base for your dip.
Assemble and Serve: Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. Serve the dip immediately with crackers and tortilla chips for spreading and dipping.

Notes

Adjust sugar according to your preferred sweetness, especially if your cranberries are particularly tart.
For a spicier dip, keep the jalapeno seeds or add an extra jalapeno.
Allowing the dip to chill overnight improves flavor blending and texture.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to make spreading easier.
This dip is best served chilled but can be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours when serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dip
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry cream cheese dip, holiday dip, easy party dip, cranberry dip recipe, cream cheese appetizer