Cranberry Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

Featured in: Quick Treats

Soft, golden biscuits featuring shredded cheddar, dried cranberries, and finely diced jalapeño offer a festive blend of tang, mild heat, and cheese. Simple to mix—just cold butter, buttermilk, flour, and a few key flavor boosters—these are gently cut, baked, and served warm. Use chopped chives for a fresh finish if desired. Ideal as a holiday side or appetizer, these biscuits are vegetarian and freeze well for easy reheating. Adjust the jalapeño to suit your spice preference and savor the balanced, savory-sweet combo at gatherings.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:12:00 GMT
Fluffy cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits golden brown, ready to serve warm with butter.  Save
Fluffy cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits golden brown, ready to serve warm with butter. | munchhug.com

Fluffy, cheesy biscuits with tangy cranberries and a subtle jalapeño kick, inspired by the classic festive dip. Perfect as an appetizer or holiday side that brings warmth and color to your table.

I first made these biscuits for a friendsgiving potluck, and they quickly disappeared. The blend of cheddar and cranberry surprises everyone—in the best way! Jalapeño gives a gentle warmth that pairs so well with the cheese.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 tbsp
  • Sugar: 1 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Garlic powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Unsalted butter (cold, cubed): 1/2 cup (115 g)
  • Buttermilk (cold): 3/4 cup (180 ml)
  • Large egg: 1
  • Sharp cheddar cheese (shredded): 1 cup (120 g)
  • Dried cranberries (roughly chopped): 1/2 cup (60 g)
  • Jalapeño (seeded, finely diced): 1 small
  • Fresh chives (finely chopped, optional): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.
Add Butter:
Cut cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture with a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Incorporate Flavor:
Stir in cheddar cheese, cranberries, jalapeño, and chives.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
Whisk buttermilk and egg in a small bowl, then pour into dry mixture and stir until just combined.
Shape Dough:
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface, gently pat into 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick rectangle.
Cut Biscuits:
Cut dough with a 2.5-inch (6 cm) round cutter, place biscuits on baking sheet. Gather scraps and repeat as needed.
Bake:
Bake for 16–18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Cool and Serve:
Cool slightly on wire rack. Serve warm, optionally with cranberry jalapeño dip or whipped butter.
Cheesy and tangy cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits, ideal for festive gatherings and appetizers.  Save
Cheesy and tangy cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits, ideal for festive gatherings and appetizers. | munchhug.com

Our family loves sharing these biscuits at holiday meals. My little sister always sneaks one straight from the oven when they're extra warm and buttery!

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, pastry cutter or fork, baking sheet, parchment paper, biscuit cutter, whisk

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter, cheese, buttermilk), egg, and gluten (wheat flour). Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.

Nutritional Information

Per biscuit: 210 calories, 10 g total fat, 24 g carbohydrates, 6 g protein

Warm and flaky cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits, bursting with flavor and perfect for snacking. Save
Warm and flaky cranberry jalapeño dip cheddar biscuits, bursting with flavor and perfect for snacking. | munchhug.com

These biscuits brighten every occasion with their cheerful colors and tangy bite. Enjoy warm and savor all the festive flavors in every fluffy piece.

Recipe Guide

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Yes, coarsely chop fresh cranberries and toss with a little sugar. Expect a more tart flavor and moister biscuits.

How do I adjust the spice level?

For more heat, keep some jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Remove seeds for a milder kick.

Is there a substitute for buttermilk?

You can use 3/4 cup milk combined with 1 teaspoon lemon juice as a quick buttermilk alternative.

Can these biscuits be frozen?

Absolutely. Freeze baked biscuits and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes for best results.

What makes biscuits fluffy?

Ensuring cold butter, not overmixing the dough, and using buttermilk helps create a tender, fluffy texture.

Are these biscuits vegetarian?

Yes, they contain dairy and egg but no meat products, making them suitable for a vegetarian diet.

Cranberry Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

Fluffy biscuits blend cheddar, cranberry, and jalapeño for tangy, savory bite. Great festive appetizer or side.

Prep duration
20 min
Heat time
18 min
Complete duration
38 min
Created by Samantha Reed


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Nutrition preferences Meat-free

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tablespoon baking powder
03 1 teaspoon sugar
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Wet Ingredients

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
02 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
03 1 large egg

Flavorful Additions

01 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
02 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
03 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
04 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Sheet: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Mix Dry Components: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.

Phase 03

Cut in Butter: Add cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Phase 04

Fold in Additions: Gently stir in sharp cheddar cheese, chopped dried cranberries, diced jalapeño, and fresh chives.

Phase 05

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together cold buttermilk and egg. Pour mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Phase 06

Shape Dough: Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat gently into a rectangle approximately 1 inch thick.

Phase 07

Cut Biscuits: Cut rounds with a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter, placing each on prepared baking sheet. Gather and reuse scraps as needed.

Phase 08

Bake Biscuits: Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Phase 09

Cool and Serve: Transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by cranberry jalapeño dip or whipped butter.

Tools needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Biscuit cutter
  • Whisk

Allergy alerts

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if concerned.
  • Contains dairy in butter, cheddar cheese, and buttermilk, egg, and gluten in all-purpose flour.
  • Consult individual ingredient labels to avoid accidental allergen exposure.

Dietary info (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 210
  • Lipids: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Proteins: 6 g