Pin It A vibrant and festive appetizer featuring sweet-tart cranberries, spicy jalapeño, and creamy cheese in crisp, golden tart shells—perfect for holiday entertaining.
I made these tartlets for a friendsgiving last year, and everyone was obsessed with the colorful topping and bright flavor. They disappeared in minutes!
Ingredients
- Tart Shells: 12 mini phyllo or shortcrust tart shells (store-bought or homemade)
- Cranberry Jalapeño Dip: 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped; 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced; 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 (8 oz / 225 g) block cream cheese, softened
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 tablespoon sliced jalapeño (optional); Zest of 1 lime (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Cranberry Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, jalapeño, green onions, cilantro, sugar, lime juice, and salt. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cranberries to macerate.
- Prepare Cream Cheese:
- Place the softened cream cheese in a separate bowl. Beat with a hand mixer or spatula until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Filling:
- Gently fold half of the cranberry mixture into the cream cheese until just combined. Reserve the remaining cranberry mixture for topping.
- Fill Tart Shells:
- Spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture into each tart shell, filling nearly to the top.
- Top Tarts:
- Top each tart with a spoonful of the reserved cranberry mixture.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with extra cilantro, sliced jalapeño, and lime zest if desired. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for best texture.
Pin It My family loves assembling these tarts together, letting everyone add their favorite garnishes before serving. It's a fun way to kick off holiday feasting!
Notes
For extra crunch, add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts on top. Substitute goat cheese for cream cheese for a tangier flavor. These tarts are best assembled just before serving.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, hand mixer or spatula, spoon or piping bag, small knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cream cheese). Tart shells may contain gluten, eggs, or dairy—check ingredient labels. Not suitable for nut allergies if using nut-based garnishes.
Pin It Serve these colorful cranberry jalapeño dip tarts chilled for the freshest taste at your next gathering. Enjoy the festive burst of flavor with each bite!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What makes these tarts suitable for holidays?
The bright flavors and festive colors from cranberries and jalapeño make them eye-catching and ideal for holiday spreads.
- → Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries work well; just chop them and let sit to macerate before combining with other ingredients.
- → How do I keep the tart shells crisp?
Fill the shells just before serving and avoid refrigerating for extended periods to maintain their crunch.
- → Is there a dairy-free alternative?
Try replacing cream cheese with a dairy-free substitute or blended cashews for a vegan-friendly option.
- → What garnishes add extra flavor?
Fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeño, lime zest, or chopped nuts provide vibrant color and extra taste.