Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
A creamy, tangy dip with sweet-tart cranberries and a gentle jalapeño kick, perfect for Thanksgiving or casual get-togethers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (about 100 g) fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
- 1 medium jalapeño, finely diced (seeds removed for milder heat if desired)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese by leaving it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Finely dice the jalapeño, removing seeds and membranes for less heat if preferred.
- Zest 1 teaspoon of orange peel using a zester or microplane, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Stir in honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- Gently fold in the diced jalapeño, cranberries, chopped thyme, and orange zest, taking care not to crush the cranberries.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld and the dip firm up.
- Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning with additional salt or honey if needed.
Notes
For best texture, use full-fat cream cheese and soften it well before mixing. Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds or adding more. Fresh cranberries provide best flavor and texture; if using frozen, thaw and drain well. The dip thickens when chilled; let it sit at room temperature before serving or stir in a splash of milk or cream to loosen if needed. Can be made dairy-free by substituting plant-based cream cheese and using maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2 tabl
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeño dip, cream cheese dip, Thanksgiving appetizer, holiday dip, easy dip recipe, creamy dip