Enjoy sweet, savory, and tart flavors all in one with this Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip. It's made with all of your favorites – cream cheese, maple syrup, and cheddar!
You've never had jalapeño dip like this!
There are dips, and then there are truly great dips. And while I think all dips are credible in their own right, something about this easy cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip just stands out among the rest.
Believe me here, this dip is unlike anything you've ever had. It's savory, cheese, and spicy, but also fruity with that tart cranberry addition! It's easy and quick to make, pairs with your favorite scoopers (like crackers or fruit), and is perfect for game day, sharing an app with friends, or entertaining!
Ingredients in cranberry and jalapeño dip
Cranberry jalapeño dip is made in two parts. We'll first make the cranberry mixture with cranberries, jalapeños, maple syrup, and more, and then we'll dive into the cream cheese part.
Cranberry Mixture
- Cranberries: The base of the cranberry mixture will require 12 oz of fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Jalapeño: Add some heat with 1 jalapeño, diced small and deseeded. If you like hot food you can leave some of the seeds (more seeds = more heat).
- Maple syrup: Next, add some naturally sweet flavor with ½ cup of maple syrup.
- Orange: Use the juice and zest of 1 large orange.
- Vanilla: Add some flavor with 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
- Thyme: Finally, include 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- Cream cheese: Start the cream cheese mixture with 2 blocks of softened cream cheese. I recommend using a ⅓ less fat version for a healthier dip.
- Cheddar: 1 ¾ cup of shredded cheese adds delicious flavor to this dip! Divide it for using in two parts in the recipe.
- Seasonings: Next, add flavor with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of salt.
- For topping: Include green onions on top for a nice garnish!
- For serving: For serving, pair with anything like crackers, crostini, apples, or cucumbers.
Tools needed to make this dip recipe
To create this dip, you will need a sauce pan, stirring utensil, fork or potato masher, mixing bowl, and small casserole dish.
You'll also need a few measuring cups: ½ tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, ½ cup, ¾ cup, and 1 cup.
How to make this cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip recipe
We'll be making this dip on the stove and in the oven. The whole process should take about 30 minutes, including baking time!
To begin, preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Add the cranberry sauce ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until it boils.
Reduce the heat and allow the cranberries to burst. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once burst, smash the cranberries with a fork or potato masher.
Heat the mix until it thickens into a sauce, and then turn off the heat and set the pan aside.
Stir together the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt.
Spread the mix into the bottom of a 6x10 or dip casserole dish. I recommend a small sized dish so the dip doesn't spread too thin.
Pour the cranberry mixture on top, and then add ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar.
Bake the dip for 15 minutes or until it bubbles. Sprinkle the green onion on top.
Let cool for a few minutes, and serve!
Step-by-step Instructions on how to make Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
How this dip is healthier
When it came to assembling the ingredients, I made a few easy switches to achieve a healthier dip.
First, I skipped sugar and replaced it with maple syrup. This is a natural sweetener that does the job, has a lower glycemic index (meaning it doesn't spike your blood sugar as extremely as sugar), and tastes great!
My second swap was using ⅓ less fat cream cheese. This is an easy one because it only requires grabbing the lower fat version, not making an actual ingredient swap!
The perfect foods for pairing
When it comes to serving jalapeño dip, you have a lot of options. I already recommended crackers, crostini, apples, and cucumbers, but the list doesn't stop there!
Enjoy this dip with tortilla chips, pretzels, club crackers, carrots, or pita chips!
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
Looking for some more recipes that feature jalapeños? You've come to the right place. Try these!
- Easy Pineapple Mango Salsa Recipe
- Watermelon Kombucha Cocktail
- One Pan Cabbage and Potato Skillet
- Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Add all cranberry sauce ingredients to saucepan and heat over medium heat until boiling
- Reduce heat and allow cranberries to burst .This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once burst, smash cranberries with fork or potato masher.
- Heat until sauce has thickened. Turn off heat and set aside.
- Stir together softened cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt.
- Spread into bottom of 6x10 or dip casserole dish (on the small side so it isn't spread too thin).
- Pour cranberry mixture on top, and then add ¾ cup shredded cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbling. Sprinkle green onion on top. Let cool a few minutes before serving.
christina says
made this for a work holiday event, and for friendsmas, and both times was a huuuge hit! truly the perfect combination of flavors that went so well with everything dippable! apples were prob my fav dipper with it!
Erin says
Hi Christina, so happy everyone loved it! 🙂
Jamie Puglielli says
I made two batches of this dip for the two Friendsgiving’s I was attending this weekend. Let me just say it was SUCH a hit at both parties! I was a little nervous but so pleasantly surprised at how well all the flavors mesh together! Erin is such a talented chef/baker/food blogger and I will continue to make her recipes! Happy Thanksgiving!
Erin says
Hi Jamie, so happy it was a hit! 🙂
Christine says
This is my favorite recipe to make during Thanksgiving!
Erin says
Hi Christine, so happy you loved it!
Shannon says
This is THE dip to end all holiday dips! I took this to my son's home for Thanksgiving, and everyone raved about it! Perfect blend of flavors with the heat, the tang, and the creaminess.
Erin says
Hi Shannon, so happy it was a hit! 🙂
Jessica says
This was soo good! Made it for Thanksgiving and everyone enjoyed it! Super quick and easy to assemble too - I made it the night before and baked the next day and it turned out perfect.
Erin says
Hi Jessica, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Claire Slattery says
I made this recipe for a Friendsgiving in 2021 and my friends still bring it up all the time! It was so delicious and honestly stole the show. I can’t wait to make it again this year!
Erin says
Hi Claire, so glad everyone loved it!! 🙂
Mylie Long says
Hey Erin! Do you think dried cranberries would work? I can’t find fresh or frozen in any store around me and I want to bring this to a potluck this week! I love every single thing I’ve ever made of yours😊
Mylie Long says
Or do you think whole cranberry sauce would work?
Erin says
Hi Mylie, yes this should work!!
Erin says
Hi Mylie, unfortunately it won't work! Try the freezer section at your local store!
Deena says
Made this cranberry jalapeño dip for thanksgiving and it was a hit! Everyone was skeptical at first but couldn’t believe how delicious it was. The most unexpected flavors worked together. Added bonus-so easy to make, Can’t wait to make again!
Erin says
Hi Deena, so glad you loved it so much!!
Brigid Smith says
Such a crowd pleaser and absolutely delicious. Looking forward to making this for Christmas!
Erin says
Hi Brigid, so happy everyone loved it!!
Katie P says
made this as an appetizer for a Friendsgivingmas gathering over the weekend and it was a huge hit! I would highly recommend it for all of your upcoming holiday gatherings!
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy everyone loved the dip!!
Grace says
Hi Erin! Is this really spicy? Can the jalapeño be left out?
Erin says
Hi Grace, nope, it is not spicy at all!! It just adds a hint of flavor. Just be sure to remove the jalapeno seeds. Let me know how it comes out!!
Emily G. says
The combo of flavors works so well together!!! I used TJ’s unexpected cheddar and I would highly recommend it as it added great flavor. Awesome recipe as always!
Erin says
Hi Emily, so glad you enjoyed the dip!
Hayden E says
I am a big fan of cranberries so anytime I can incorporate them into a dip I am immediately intrigued. This dip was the perfect blend of creaminess and tartness and I will absolutely be making it again for both myself and my friends/family!
Erin says
Hi Hayden, I am so happy you loved the dip so much!! 🙂
Kate says
Made this for Thanksgiving and everyone was begging me to make it again for Christmas already! It was so delicious and really easy to make too. So unique and so flavorful. Loved it!
Erin says
Hi Kate, I am so glad everyone enjoyed it!!
Erin says
Can you make this the day before and just do the baking part right before serving?
Erin says
Hi Erin, you can, but I think it is better day of! Let me know how it came out!!