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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers and Snacks

    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    Published: Nov 21, 2023 by Tristin Rieken · Leave a Comment

    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip made with homemade cranberry pepper jelly is an updated take on a classic appetizer recipe. It’s a perfect addition to a retro holiday party!

    Cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip close up in a white dish with buttery crackers.
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    • Cranberry jalapeno dip recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step by step instructions
    • How to serve
    • Serving size
    • How to store
    • Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    Cranberry jalapeno dip recipe

    Inspired by classic cream cheese pepper jelly dip this cranberry jalapeno dip is made from cranberry pepper jelly served over a block of cream cheese. It’s tangy, creamy, spicy and sweet.

    Cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip close up in a white dish with buttery crackers.

    Made with a quick homemade cranberry jalapeno pepper jelly the spice level can be adjusted to your personal tastes.

    Bright red pepper jelly with cranberries over a block of cream cheese with crackers.

    Or you can substitute apricot jelly with diced jalapenos and cream cheese stirred in. Although it won’t be as vibrantly colored and flavorful as the homemade version.

    A cracker with cream cheese and pepper jelly with the serving dish and wine glass in background.

    Ingredients

    • Cranberry pepper jelly – a quick jelly made from jalapenos, fresh cranberries, diced red pepper, vinegar, pectin and sugar. You can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh in the pepper jelly recipe and it will turn out just as good as with fresh cranberries. Or for a quick substitute mix apricot jelly with fresh chopped jalapenos and chopped cranberries. Or mix leftover cranberry sauce with pepper jelly for a similar flavor and naturally bright red color.
    • Cream cheese – use full fat or low fat cream cheese or even non dairy cream cheese substitute. Or make cranberry whipped feta dip using whipped feta instead. Or substitute goat cheese to make cranberry goat cheese dip. To get even more flavor and spice into this creamy dip recipe you can also mix in garlic, chopped jalapenos and seasonings into the cream cheese before spreading on a plate as a base for the jelly like this Creamy Caramelized Onion Dip with Labneh.
    • Crackers – fruit, nuts or toast for serving.
    A platter of crackers with cream cheese jalapeno jelly dip and wine glasses to the side.

    Step by step instructions

    1. Make Cranberry Pepper Jelly. Simmer chopped jalapenos, cranberries and red pepper with white vinegar. Combine pectin with a cup of sugar and slowly stir into the boiling mixture to dissolve. Add remaining sugar and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and pour into jars. Either refrigerate jelly or hot water bath process to can the jelly and preserve for longer.
    2. When ready to serve place cream cheese on a small serving plate. Using the back of a spoon add a small indent to the top of the cream cheese block.
    3. Spoon roughly ½ cup of pepper jelly over cream cheese block allowing jelly to run over the sides. You can also update this classic recipe even more by serving on a bed of swirled whipped feta, labneh or goat cheese.
    4. Serve with crackers for dipping.
    5. Enjoy!
    A cracker with cream cheese and pepper jelly with the serving dish and wine glass in background.

    How to serve

    Serve Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese dip with crackers, apple slices, toasted walnuts, and whatever else you’d like to dip. The best crackers for pepper jelly and cream cheese dip are classic buttery Ritz crackers. Which really add to that retro appetizer touch. Classic wheat crackers or hearty fruit, seed and nut crackers are also great additions.

    Serving size

    This recipe makes enough Cranberry Red Pepper jelly for roughly 4 pints of jelly. Or 4 sixteen ounce jars which is roughly 8 cups of jelly.

    The cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip uses only ½ cup of jelly and calls for about 60 crackers. Enough dip for roughly 12 servings of 5 crackers each.

    A platter of crackers around a block of cream cheese topped with pepper jelly.

    How to store

    Serve cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip immediately after pouring pepper jelly over cream cheese. Enjoy right away, or cover and refrigerate for several hours.

    Bright red pepper jelly with cranberries over a block of cream cheese with crackers.

    But the cranberry jelly can be made ahead of time. Prepare the cranberry jalapeno jelly up to a month in advance and store refrigerated. Or you can hot water bath process the jelly and store for up to a year at room temperature.

    Cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip close up in a white dish with buttery crackers.

    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip made with homemade cranberry pepper jelly is an updated take on a classic appetizer recipe.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    cranberry cream cheese dip, cranberry jalapeno dip, cream cheese pepper jelly dip, pepper jelly cream cheese dip
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 183kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • ½ cup cranberry pepper jelly
    • 8 ounces crackers about 60 crackers or 2 sleeves

    Cranberry pepper jelly

    • 1 ½ cups cranberries fresh or frozen
    • 1 ½ cups red bell pepper chopped
    • 4 large jalapeno peppers chopped
    • 2 cups white vinegar
    • 6 cups granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons powdered pectin

    Instructions

    • Prepare the cranberry pepper jelly.
    • Place cream cheese on a serving plate.
      8 ounces cream cheese
    • Using the back of a large spoon make a small indent into the top of the block of cheese.
      ½ cup cranberry pepper jelly
    • Spoon cranberry pepper jelly over the block of cream cheese so that it settles into the indent and runs over the sides of the cream cheese.
    • Then serve with crackers placed around the edge of the serving plate.
      8 ounces crackers

    Cranberry pepper jelly

    • Add chopped vegetables to a large stock pan with vinegar. Bring to a boil. Combine pectin with 1 cup of granulated sugar and slowly stir the pectin sugar mixture into the boiling vinegar mixture. Once sugar is dissolved stir in remaining sugar. Bring to a rolling boil and boil rapidly for 1 minute. Then remove from heat and pour into sterilized glass jars or other heat safe lidded container. Refrigerate or hot water bath can for 15 10 minutes to store until ready to use.
      1 ½ cups cranberries, 1 ½ cups red bell pepper, 4 large jalapeno peppers, 2 cups white vinegar, 6 cups granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons powdered pectin

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 322IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    Nutrition Facts
    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 183 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Trans Fat 0.2g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3g
    Cholesterol 19mg6%
    Sodium 229mg10%
    Potassium 47mg1%
    Carbohydrates 19g6%
    Fiber 0.4g2%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 322IU6%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 47mg5%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Hi, I'm Tristin Rieken, Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple seasonal recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often.

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    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares simple seasonal recipes and ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

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