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Top-down view of the finished cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip presented on a white ceramic dish over a white marble countertop. The deep red cranberry topping with visible jalapeño specks is layered over creamy white cream cheese. It’s beautifully chilled and served with crispy crackers, making it a perfect party appetizer with bold flavors.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe

This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip brings the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy. It’s festive, bold, and addictive—ideal for holiday tables, potlucks, or a cozy night in.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 16
Course: Appetizer, dip
Cuisine: American
Calories: 206
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 10 ounces dried sweetened cranberries
  • ½ cup white sugar or to taste
  • ½ cup water or more as needed
  • 2 small jalapeño peppers seeded and finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons dried cilantro
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing spoon
  • Food processor or blender (optional, for a smoother texture)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Serving dish

Method
 

  1. Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
    A clean top-down shot of a black saucepan placed on a white marble countertop with coconut oil melting inside. The oil is clear and glossy, signaling it’s heating properly over medium heat. This is the starting step to prepare a vibrant cranberry jalapeño dip, where each layer of flavor begins in this simple preparation.
  2. Add dried cranberries, sugar, and water. Stir and cook until cranberries soften (about 5–7 minutes).
    Top-down view of dried cranberries, white sugar, and water being cooked together in a black saucepan on a white marble surface. The cranberries are starting to plump and release their juices. This step allows the berries to soften and develop a sweet base, which will balance the heat from the jalapeños added later.
  3. Add jalapeños, lemon juice, dried cilantro, and salt. Let simmer for 2–3 more minutes.
    This top-down image shows a vibrant cranberry mixture simmering in a black saucepan as freshly diced green jalapeños, lemon juice, dried cilantro, and salt are added. Each ingredient is visibly blended in, enhancing the flavor complexity. This step adds heat, freshness, herbal notes, and a hint of saltiness to the sweet berry mixture.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  5. Blend the mixture slightly if you prefer a smoother dip, or leave it chunky for more texture.
    A top-down view of the just-cooked cranberry jalapeño mixture resting in a black saucepan atop a white marble countertop. The vibrant red mixture is cooling, steam gently rising, allowing the flavors to settle. This important step prepares the topping for blending or serving, ensuring it won’t melt the cream cheese layer beneath.
  6. Spread softened cream cheese on a serving dish.
  7. Pour the cooled cranberry-jalapeño mix over the cream cheese.
    A top-down image showing the vibrant red cranberry jalapeño mixture being carefully spooned over a smooth cream cheese layer on a white ceramic plate. The layers contrast beautifully. This final assembly step is key before chilling, ensuring the spicy-sweet mixture fully infuses into the creamy base for optimal flavor.
  8. Chill before serving for best flavor. Serve with crackers, pita chips, or baguette slices.
    Top-down view of the finished cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip presented on a white ceramic dish over a white marble countertop. The deep red cranberry topping with visible jalapeño specks is layered over creamy white cream cheese. It’s beautifully chilled and served with crispy crackers, making it a perfect party appetizer with bold flavors.