These Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups are bite-sized party perfection crisp phyllo shells filled with a creamy, savory cheese mixture and topped with sweet, tangy pepper jelly. They’re festive, colorful, and come together in minutes, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you need an easy yet elegant appetizer that always disappears fast.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup pepper jelly (red or green)
- 1 package mini phyllo pastry cups (15 cups)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or chives, optional)
Instructions
- Optional: Warm the phyllo cups: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you prefer warm cups. Arrange the mini phyllo cups on a baking sheet.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Fill the cups: Spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture evenly into each mini phyllo cup, filling them about three-quarters full.
- Add pepper jelly: Top each filled cup with a generous spoonful of pepper jelly, allowing a bit to cascade over the edges for a pretty presentation.
- Warm (optional): If desired, place the filled cups in the preheated oven and warm for about 8–10 minutes, just until the cream cheese mixture is slightly warm and the shells are crisp.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately, or chill and serve cold both ways are delicious.
Variation
- Spicy Jalapeño Cups: Use hot pepper jelly or mix in a teaspoon of finely minced fresh jalapeño to the cream cheese filling for an extra spicy kick.
- Cranberry Pepper Jelly Cups: Top the cream cheese mixture with a blend of pepper jelly and whole-berry cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart holiday twist.
- Goat Cheese Blend: Replace half of the cream cheese with soft goat cheese for a tangier, more sophisticated flavor, then finish with pepper jelly as directed.
Cooking Notes
- Phyllo shell crispness: Pre-baked phyllo cups are already crisp; they’ll soften slightly after filling. For maximum crunch, fill close to serving time.
- Pepper jelly texture: If your jelly is very thick, microwave it for 10–15 seconds to loosen it up so it spoons and drizzles more easily.
- Serving warm vs. cold: Warming intensifies the savory flavors and softens the filling, while serving cold gives a firmer bite and more contrast with the crunchy shell both are excellent options depending on your menu.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday appetizer platter: Arrange red and green jelly-topped cups on a tray with sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a festive, wreath-like presentation.
- Brunch bites: Serve alongside quiche, fruit, and coffee for a sweet-savory addition to a holiday brunch spread.
- Party pairing: Pair these cups with a cheeseboard and sparkling wine or a crisp white wine for an easy, elegant cocktail-hour lineup.
Tips
- 1. Soften cream cheese fully: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30,45 minutes so it blends lump-free with the sour cream.
- 2. Use a piping bag: For the neatest look and fastest assembly, pipe the cream cheese mixture into the cups instead of spooning it.
- 3. Keep shells from getting soggy: If making ahead, store filled but un-topped cups in the fridge, then add the pepper jelly just before serving to help maintain crunch.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ≈ 150 kcal
- Protein: ≈ 3 g
- Sodium: ≈ 170 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the cream cheese filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it. For the best texture, fill the phyllo cups and top with pepper jelly within a few hours of serving so the shells stay crisp. - Do I have to bake the cups?
No. The phyllo shells are pre-baked and ready to use. Baking is optional and only needed if you prefer a warm appetizer or want to re-crisp the shells slightly. - Can I use regular crackers instead of phyllo cups?
Absolutely. You can spread the cream cheese mixture onto crackers or crostini and spoon pepper jelly on top for a similar flavor profile with a different format. - How should I store leftovers?
Store leftover cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The shells may soften, but they’ll still taste great. For the best crunch, enjoy them the same day they’re made.
Conclusion
These Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups deliver the perfect bite of creamy, tangy, sweet, and crunchy in a festive, two-bite package. Quick to assemble and easy to customize, they’re ideal for busy holiday seasons, last-minute invites, and elegant spreads alike. Keep phyllo cups and pepper jelly on hand, and you’re always just minutes away from a party-ready appetizer guests will devour.
Print
Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 15 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups are bite-sized party perfection—crisp phyllo shells filled with a creamy, savory cheese mixture and topped with sweet, tangy pepper jelly. They’re festive, colorful, and come together in minutes, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you need an easy yet elegant appetizer that always disappears fast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup pepper jelly (red or green)
- 1 package mini phyllo pastry cups (15 cups)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or chives, optional)
Instructions
- Optional: Warm the phyllo cups: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you prefer warm cups. Arrange the mini phyllo cups on a baking sheet.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Fill the cups: Spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture evenly into each mini phyllo cup, filling them about three-quarters full.
- Add pepper jelly: Top each filled cup with a generous spoonful of pepper jelly, allowing a bit to cascade over the edges for a pretty presentation.
- Warm (optional): If desired, place the filled cups in the preheated oven and warm for about 8–10 minutes, just until the cream cheese mixture is slightly warm and the shells are crisp.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately, or chill and serve cold—both ways are delicious.
Notes
- These cups work beautifully with either red or green pepper jelly; mix both for a fun, festive red-and-green platter.
- The filling can be mixed ahead of time and stored in the fridge, then spooned into the cups just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
- Taste the cream cheese mixture before filling the cups and adjust salt, pepper, or garlic/onion powder to suit your preference.
- If serving cold, keep the cups chilled until just before guests arrive for the freshest texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook or Bake (optional warming)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: ≈ 150 kcal
- Sugar: ≈ 10 g
- Sodium: ≈ 170 mg
- Fat: ≈ 10 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈ 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈ 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈ 11 g
- Fiber: <1 g
- Protein: ≈ 3 g
- Cholesterol: ≈ 30 mg
Keywords: holiday appetizer, pepper jelly cream cheese cups, phyllo cup appetizers, bite-sized party snacks, easy holiday recipe
