Cranberry Jalapeno DIp

Close up of cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip scooper onto a cracker.

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Resting Time: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings: people

Calories: 301kcal

Author: Aleka Shunk

This cranberry jalapeno dip is creamy, tangy, sweet and EVERYTHING you could want from a holiday appetizer! Serve with crackers or bread for a tasty, slightly spicy spread people will go crazy over!

Print Recipe

Equipment

Food Processor

Ingredients

12 oz. whole fresh cranberries Raw
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. goat cheese *See note
1 cup brown sugar
1 freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime
3-4 green onions
3-4 rosemary sprigs
1-2 jalapenos more if you like heat
¾ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Add all ingredients except for the cream cheese and goat cheese to a large food processor. Pulse 5-10 times. Scrape down the sides and pulse a few times more until the mixture is fine but still slightly coarse. We don’t want it to turn into a liquid.
(See images above for proper consistency.)
Wait 15 minutes and then strain the cranberry mixture using a fine mesh strainer reserving the liquid!
Add 3-4 tablespoons of the reserved cranberry liquid along with the goat and cream cheese and mix until the consistency is looser.
*The idea is to add flavor while loosening the cheese spread so it's easy to scoop with a cracker without breaking. (We all hate that! 😁)
Spread cheese layer evenly onto the bottom of a shallow bowl or clear 9 x 9" baking dish.
Spread cranberry jalapeno relish on top.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, sliced jalapenos, scallions and/or chopped rosemary. Serve with crackers and enjoy!

Notes

*You can use 16 oz. cream cheese if you do not like goat cheese.

Tips

✔ I recommend serving this dip in a large, shallow bowl or 9 x 9" casserole dish. If you have a clear glass dish, even better so guests can see the beautiful layers.

✔Store dip covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

✔ Make your cranberry "relish" 24 hours in advance or the night before to allow the flavors to develop.

✔ Use FRESH RAW cranberries! The juice that's released helps make the dip more "dippable" and juicy.

✔ Save the extra cranberry juice to make martinis or any cocktail!

Nutrition