Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese

This is a Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Appetizer that is sure to please any crowd!  It’s that time of year when we get to share our homemade appetizers at family and friend parties. That’s why I decided to update this post as part of my focus on appetizers the past couple of weeks.

This is a really easy one to make. I love fresh cranberries, and my sister, Denise (from Texas) taught me one year how to make homemade cranberry sauce.

This appetizer is sweet, creamy, and with a little kick from the Jalapeño jelly, it should be enjoyed by all your family and friends. It’s easy to put together and make ahead of time. Just pour the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese when you are ready to serve it.

It’s perfect for that Christmas potluck or family get-together. Who doesn’t love appetizers, right? Be ready to pass out the recipe because people love easy recipes, particularly at this busy time of year.

Okay, I was instantly hooked on the cranberry topping. It is only fresh cranberries, sugar, and water. You bring the sugar and water to a boil then add the fresh cranberries, stirring almost constantly. I can’t stir them constantly because I always have five things going on at the same time! LOL! What I love about this recipe is I can add some jalapeno jelly from a jar to give this cranberry sauce a little kick!

Be sure and use fresh cranberries, it makes all the difference. I wash them and add them to the sugar and water mixture that has been boiling. Just stir until the cranberries start to break down and the mixture thickens. It will get thicker after it cools, as well.

Let me ask you this, do you get excited when November rolls around and you see those bags of cranberries? Squeal, I sure do! Here’s the deal, you can’t go super early in November because the grocery stores will not have them until around the 10th of the month.

My Other Cheese Balls

• Mini Cheese Ball Bites
• Dried Beef Cheese Ball
• Pimento Cheese Ball
• The Classic Bacon Cheese Ball
• Old English Cheese Ball

My Other Cranberry Posts

• Fresh Cranberry Salad Recipe
• Cranberry Banana Coffee Cake
• The Best Cranberry Salsa Recipe
• How To Make Turkey Cranberry Roll-Ups

Items You May Need In The Kitchen

• Saucepan
• Measuring Cups
• Colander

Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese

Step One

Assemble the ingredients so you know exactly what you need to start the recipe.

Step Two

Boil the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Turn down the heat on the stove.

Step Three

Wash the cranberries, remove any suspect ones and drain. Add the cranberries to the sugar mixture and stir until the cranberries break down slightly and start to thicken.

Step Four

The mixture will thicken when it cools and is refrigerated. Before placing the cranberry sauce in the refrigerator add the amount of Jalapeño jelly you prefer. The more you add, the more “kick” the Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Appetizer will have. I add the whole jar. I do buy the mild Jalapeño Jelly since most of my family doesn’t enjoy “hot” jelly, as in spicy hot.

After the mixture is refrigerated and ready to serve, spread the mixture over the softened cream cheese.

Finished Product

Serve with your favorite crackers.

How do I store this cranberry jalapeno cream cheese?

I use a Tupperware-type container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days without the cream cheese.

Can I freeze it?

I have not frozen it, but I have frozen fresh cranberries without the sugar and water mixture. I’m guessing you can, but I don’t know for sure.

Can I use the cranberry mixture on sandwiches?

Yes, you can! It’s so good on a turkey, dressing/stuffing sandwich! Add a bit of cream cheese and you have a million-dollar sandwich, in my opinion!

What do I use for dipping?

• Ritz Crackers
• Wheat Thins
• Triscuit Crackers
• Pita Chips
• Tortilla Chips
• Pretzel Chips

Final Word

Oh my gosh, I love fresh cranberry sauce. Do you make your own? This cranberry Jalapeño cream cheese appetizer is a keeper for parties! It seems like most people only think of cranberry sauce as something to eat with a turkey dinner, particularly at Thanksgiving.

Let me tell you, we’ve made this cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip for years and it’s become a favorite for us.

Let me know if you make it and how it turned out for you. May God Bless this world, Linda