Description
Sweet, tart cranberries meet a gentle jalapeño kick, all swirled into a creamy, cheesy base. This dip isn’t just delicious—it’s a showstopper that looks as stunning as it tastes. With ruby-red flecks and a smooth, savory backdrop, it’s the dish guests hover around until the bowl is scraped clean. Best part? It takes just 15 minutes of prep and a little chill time to achieve appetizer legend status.
Ingredients
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2 cups fresh cranberries
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1 cup jalapeños, seeded & finely chopped
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½ cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple/monk fruit)
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½ red bell pepper, chopped
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1 cup cream cheese, softened (full-fat for best texture)
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½ cup sour cream
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
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2 tbsp green onions, chopped
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2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
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Make Relish: Pulse cranberries, jalapeños, bell pepper, and sugar in a food processor until relish-like. Let sit 15 min.
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Creamy Base: Beat softened cream cheese + sour cream until smooth. Fold in cheddar and pepper jack.
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Drain & Combine: Strain excess liquid from cranberry relish. Gently fold into the cheese base for red-and-green swirls.
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Chill: Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 min (overnight is even better).
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Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro. Serve with pita chips, crackers, crostini, or fresh veggie sticks.
Notes
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Citrus Zing: Add lime or orange zest to the cranberry mix.
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Smoky & Spicy: Swap a jalapeño for chipotle in adobo.
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Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pecans or pepitas before serving.
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Lighter Option: Use Neufchâtel cheese + light sour cream.
Nutrition
- Calories: 95 cal Per Serving
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 3g