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    Home » Appetizers

    Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

    Jun 7, 2023 by Thriving Gluten Free · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This festive Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip will be the hit at your next holiday gathering! A homemade cranberry jalapeño sauce is poured over an herbed spiced cream cheese mixture making it an irresistable sweet & spicy combo. This gorgeous appetizer is not only delicious, but couldn't be easier to make!

    Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

    I am a huge fan of cranberries, and get so excited to see those bags of bright berries appear in the grocery store!

    You'll definitely want to make this gluten-free appetizer for your next holiday party! It's spicy, tangy, sweet, and creamy all into one bite. The quick and easy homemade cranberry sauce recipe uses fresh cranberries, a jalapeño(to kick up the spice), orange juice, and warming flavors of cinnamon that will have your kitchen smelling like the holidays.

    The cranberry sauce then gets layered on top of whipped cream cheese. Serve alongside gluten-free crackers or tortilla chips, but be sure to save any leftovers...this dip is the perfect topping for toast and even works well as a spread on turkey sandwiches.

    Ingredients Needed to Make This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

    Here's everything you'll need to make the quick homemade cranberry jalapeño sauce:

    • Whole Fresh Cranberries. Fresh cranberries work best for this recipe for flavor and texture. Frozen cranberries can be used, but will add extra liquid.
    • Jalapeño. I used a whole, seeded jalapeño. You can adjust the amount of spice by using a half jalapeño for less spice or leaving in a few seeds for extra spice! 
    • Orange Juice. I used the orange juice we had in a carton in the fridge! You can also squeeze you're own if you're up for it.

    • Cinnamon. One cinnamon stick is all you need to add some warming flavor. I find that a whole cinnamon stick gives so much flavor, but if you don't have them on hand, go ahead and use ground cinnamon.

    For the herbed cream cheese mixture, you'll need:

    • Cream Cheese. I chose to use whipped cream cheese in this recipe since it's easy to mix and easy to scoop! If you need a dairy-free option, use your favorite plant-based cream cheese spread.
    • Herbs & Spices. Garlic powder, salt & diced green onions give the cream cheese an addicting flavor!
    homemade cranberry jalapeno sauce

    How To Make This Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

    • Add all of the ingredients for the cranberry sauce to a stovetop pan over medium heat until boiling. Simmer 8-10 minutes until all the cranberries are burst. Smash the cranberries with a fork and set aside.
    • In a separate bowl, mix together the whipped cream cheese, herbs and spices.
    • Spread the cream cheese on a serving platter then cover with the cranberry mixture. 

    For serving, you'll want to grab some of your favorite gluten-free crackers. I used Breton Gluten-Free Crackers for this dip because they're not only made with better-for-you ingredients and are Certified Gluten-Free, they're BIG enough to load up with all the toppings!

    cranberry jalapeno dip

    Can I make this Cranberry Jalapeño Dip in advance?

    It's best to make the Cranberry Jalapeño Dip at least 2 hours in advance to give time for the flavors to meld. Be sure to keep the cream cheese mixture and the cranberry dip separate until you serve.

    How to Store this Cranberry Dip

    Cover your serving dishes and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Top the cream cheese mixture with the cranberry sauce when ready to serve.

    Can I Serve This Appetizer Warm?

    Absolutely! Spread the cream cheese mixture in a shallow, oven-safe pie pan. Add the cranberry sauce mixture on top and bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.

    If you've tried this recipe, be sure to me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!

    Let's Eat!

    cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip
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    Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    This festive Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip will be the hit at your next holiday gathering! A homemade cranberry jalapeño sauce is poured over an herbed spiced cream cheese mixture making it an irresistable sweet & spicy combo. This gorgeous appetizer is not only delicious, but couldn't be easier to make!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cranberry, cream cheese, holiday appetizer, jalapeno
    Servings: 12

    Ingredients

    Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce

    • 12 oz Fresh Cranberries
    • 1 Jalapeno seeded and diced
    • 1 cup Orange Juice
    • 1 Cinnamon Stick or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup Sugar More or less to taste; pure maple syrup works well too!

    Cream Cheese Mixture

    • 16 oz Whipped Cream Cheese Sub a plant-based cream cheese for dairy free
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt or to taste
    • ¼ cup Fresh Green Onions Diced; plus more to garnish the dip

    For serving

    • Gluten-Free Crackers

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients for the cranberry jalapeno sauce to stovetop pan on medium heat until boiling.
    • Reduce heat and allow to simmer until all cranberries burst and sauce is thickened, stirring occassionally. This should take about 8-10 minutes, then smush cranberries with fork, potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smooth cranberry sauce. Turn off heat and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese with garlic powder, salt and a few tablespoons of green onions.
    • Spread the cream cheese on a serving platter then cover with the cranberry mixture. Store in the refrigerator until serving. Garnish with green onions and serve with gluten-free crackers.

    Notes

    Alternatively, you can serve this dip warm! Spread cream cheese in a shallow pie pan, then top with the cranberry mixture. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes until cream cheese is warmed through.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thrivingglutenfree or #thrivingglutenfree!

    Looking for more gluten-free appetizers? Check out these yummy recipes!

    • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers {GF, DF}
    • Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs{GF & DF}
    • How to Make the Perfect Veggie Platter

    More Appetizers

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      Crispy Gluten-Free Shrimp Tempura Recipe (Easy and Delicious!)
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      Easy Three Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • gluten free jalapeno poppers recipe
      Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
    • gluten free baked chicken taquitos recipe
      Easy Gluten Free Baked Chicken Taquitos

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    thriving gluten free recipes for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance

    Hi, I'm Debby! The recipe creator, mom and blogger behind Thriving Gluten Free. Our oldest daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2011, so we've been navigating gluten-free living ever since. Here, we share our favorite recipes, products and tips to help make your gluten-free life easy, healthy and delicious!

    Read more →

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