Description
Make this bright, refreshing dip featuring a sweet and spicy cranberry-jalapeño topping over creamy cheese. It is a colorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 medium scallion
- 1 small jalapeño pepper
- 4 sprigs fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
- 1 medium lemon or lime
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed if frozen
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Cinnamon pita chips, for serving
Instructions
- Place 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese in a stand mixer bowl. Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature.
- Prepare the topping ingredients: Cut 1 medium scallion crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Trim and halve 1 medium jalapeño pepper lengthwise; remove the white ribs and seeds. Pick the leaves from 4 fresh cilantro sprigs until you have 1 tablespoon. Juice 1 medium lemon or lime until you have 1 tablespoon. Place all these prepared items into a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.
- Add 2 cups cranberries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed, about 10 (1-second) pulses.
- Beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed with the paddle attachment until light and creamy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides. Transfer the cream cheese to a serving plate or 9-inch pie dish and spread it into an even layer about 1/4-inch thick.
- Use a slotted spoon to place the cranberry-jalapeño mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it into an even layer. Reserve any liquid juices for drinks.
- Garnish with more chopped cilantro leaves. Serve with cinnamon pita chips.
Notes
- This dip offers a light, wholesome alternative to heavy party dips.
- The combination of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors makes this a standout dish.
- You can use frozen cranberries, just make sure they are fully thawed before use.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of dip
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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