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Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

Cranberry cream cheese spread with a jewel-red cranberry salsa is made by pulsing fresh cranberries until finely chopped, then chilling for a thick, flavorful topping. Spoon the salsa over softened cream cheese and serve with crackers for an easy snack board spread.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 215
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cranberry salsa
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 0.25 tsp salt
Cream cheese base
  • 8 oz cream cheese Softened so it spreads easily.
Serving
  • 1 Crackers For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 food processor

Method
 

Make the cranberry salsa
  1. Pulse fresh cranberries in a food processor until finely chopped, about 20–30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides so the pieces are even and not watery.
  2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in sugar, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix until the sugar dissolves and the salsa looks glossy and richly red.
Chill and assemble
  1. Cover and chill the cranberry mixture for at least 1 hour so the flavors meld. The salsa should thicken slightly as it cools.
  2. Spread the softened cream cheese onto a serving plate in an even layer. Aim for smooth edges so the topping sits neatly on top.
  3. Spoon the cranberry mixture over the top just before serving. Let it cascade in a jewel-red layer with visible flecks of green onion and cilantro.
  4. Serve with crackers on the side or arranged around the plate. The spread is best served cold so it holds its shape.

Notes

Pro tip: soften the cream cheese at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes so you can spread it thinly without tearing. Store the cranberry salsa covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; keep assembled spread refrigerated up to 2 days. Freezing is not recommended because the cranberry texture can become watery. Dietary swap: use low-sugar sugar substitute in the salsa for a lower-sugar version (taste may be slightly less bright).