Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread is a vibrant, festive appetizer that hits every flavor note: tart, sweet, creamy, and spicy. By macerating the cranberries ahead of time, you create a deep, complex salsa that sits perfectly atop a rich block of cream cheese.
Ingredients
- Dairy Base: 16 oz cream cheese, softened.
- Fruit: 12 oz fresh cranberries, finely chopped.
- Aromatics: 4 green onions, 1 jalapeño, and 1/4 cup cilantro.
- Sweet & Sour: 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Detailed Instructions
1. The 24-Hour Maceration
Pulse the cranberries in a food processor until finely minced. Mix with sugar, green onions, jalapeño, cilantro, and lemon juice. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (ideally 24). This allows the sugar to macerate the fruit, removing the raw tartness and creating a cohesive salsa texture.
2. Stabilize the Texture
Drain the cranberry mixture in a sieve before serving. This removes excess liquid that could otherwise make the cream cheese watery. Spreading the salsa over a cold block of cream cheese ensures a beautiful visual contrast between the red fruit and white dairy.
3. Service
Serve with butter crackers or toasted baguette slices. The combination of the cool cream cheese and the zesty, slightly spicy cranberry topping makes it a standout at any holiday gathering.