Holiday Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Who can resist this holiday Cranberry Jalapeño Dip shaped like a little Christmas tree? It’s a festive appetizer featuring fresh jalapeños and cranberries that pop with color and flavor! Add it to a cream cheese layer to cool things down and create a creamy base. Top it with an adorable cheese star, and it’s the perfect appetizer for holiday parties!
Get the Scoop!
Merry and Fun: Bright colors and bold flavors make this appetizer shine.
Flavor Surprise: The mix of sweet cranberries and fresh jalapeños keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Crowd Pleaser: Easy to make, beautiful to serve, and always the first dip to disappear!
Of all the appetizers out there during the holiday season, this cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip is the most surprising…in a great way! The first time I served it for a holiday party, I wasn’t sure what people would think. But, my guests went crazy over this spread! Now, it’s one of my favorite recipes to whip up for Christmas parties.
Tart cranberries blend really well with the mild heat from the jalapeño peppers, and that cool, creamy layer of cream cheese brings it all together. Plus, it’s shaped like a Christmas tree! What could be cuter than that?
If you’re planning a holiday party, this Hummus Wreath will make a great addition to your party buffet, along with a big bowl of sweet Little Debbie Christmas Tree Dip!
What You’ll Need
Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy appetizer. To view quantities, check out the printable recipe card.
Cranberries: I love using fresh cranberries for this recipe. They give this recipe a bright color and tart flavor that balances perfectly with the sweetness.
Jalapeños: Clean and seed the peppers for a mild flavor.
Sugar: Balances out the tartness and heat perfectly.
Salt: Just enough to bring out all the flavors.
Lime Juice: Adds a pop of brightness that brings the recipe together.
Green Onions: Adds a light savory note.
Cream Cheese: Use full fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture.
Colby Jack Cheese: Slice a little star for the top with a cookie cutter if you’re shaping it into a tree for a stunning presentation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine diced cranberries, jalapeños, sugar, salt, lime juice, and green onions.
- Stir well and chill, covered, for at 45 minutes.
- Strain the mixture using a slotted spoon to remove any extra juice or excess liquid.
- For a platter, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on a serving dish. Spoon the cranberry jalapeño relish on top for a beautiful cranberry cream cheese presentation.
- For a Christmas tree version, shape the cheese mixture into a cone or tree shape. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Pile the cranberry relish around the outside of the tree and top it with a Colby Jack star cut with a cookie cutter. Serve chilled with your favorite dippers and enjoy!
BIG TIP! Strain this recipe VERY WELL after refrigerating for at least 45 minutes. If you can make it ahead, refrigerate it overnight and remove as much water as possible. Use a cheesecloth or paper towel to squeeze out as much liquid as you can before adding it on the cream cheese.
Favorite Dippers
- Pretzel Chips
- Buttery Crackers
- Tortilla Chips
- Sliced Baguette or Celery Sticks
Make It Yours!
- Swap lime juice for orange juice for a sweeter flavor.
- Use a hand mixer to fluff the cream cheese for an extra light texture if serving from a platter. To make the tree, you’ll need full fat cream cheese that can hold its shape.
- Try goat cheese for more tanginess. If you do this, make sure you add cream cheese to it or the tree won’t mold properly.
- Mix in leftover cranberry sauce for extra sweetness.
Dip Tips
- Use full fat cream cheese and let it come to room temperature before spreading.
- Be sure to strain the cranberries well to avoid watery dip.
- Keep any leftover dip in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, just be sure to thaw and drain completely to remove excess liquid.
You can make it less spicy by adding fewer jalapeño peppers or removing all the seeds and ribs.
Sure, just make it the day before and store it covered in the fridge. The flavor gets even better the next day!
Storage Guide
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the cranberry mixture and cream cheese mixture separate until you’re ready to serve.
- Do Not Freeze: The texture changes when thawed, so freezing is not recommended.
- Serve Cold: Keep chilled until serving for the creamiest texture.
Holiday Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
*See notes in post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- colander
- slotted spoon
- serving dish
- sharp knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries - diced
- 2 large jalapeños - seeded, cleaned and diced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 green onions - diced
- 16 ounces cream cheese - softened to room temperature
- For Christmas tree- 1 slice of Colby Jack cheese cut into a star
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine diced cranberries, jalapeños, sugar, salt, lime juice, and green onions.
- Stir well and chill, covered, for at least 45 minutes.
- Strain the mixture using a slotted spoon and colander to remove any extra juice or excess liquid.
- For a platter, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on a serving dish. Spoon the cranberry jalapeño relish on top for a beautiful cranberry cream cheese presentation.
- For a Christmas tree version, shape the cheese mixture into a cone or tree shape. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Pile the cranberry relish around the outside of the tree and top it with a Colby Jack star cut with a cookie cutter.
Notes
- This recipe yields 32 Tablespoons of dip, divided by 2 equals 16 servings (2 Tablespoons per guest).
- Strain this recipe VERY WELL after refrigerating for at least 45 minutes. If you can make it ahead, refrigerate it overnight and get out as much water as possible. Use a cheesecloth or paper towel to squeeze out as much liquid as you can before adding it on the cream cheese.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the cranberry mixture and cream cheese mixture separate until you’re ready to serve.
- Do Not Freeze: The texture changes when thawed, so freezing is not recommended.
- Serve Cold: Keep chilled until serving for the creamiest texture.
Nutrition
*Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
