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Chef Ava

Holiday Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Cups

Festive mini phyllo cups filled with creamy seasoned cream cheese and topped with glossy sweet-spicy pepper jelly. These easy holiday appetizers take just 10 minutes to prepare and 5–7 minutes to warm, making them perfect for Christmas parties, holiday brunches, family gatherings, and last-minute guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 15 cups
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 15 mini phyllo cups
  • 1 cup pepper jelly, red or green
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup green onions, chopped
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • fresh parsley or extra green onions for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • medium mixing bowl
  • mixing spoon
  • baking sheet
  • oven
  • piping bag, optional

Method
 

  1. If serving the cups warm, preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the filling is smooth and creamy and the seasonings are evenly distributed.
  2. Spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture evenly into the mini phyllo cups. Keep the filling just below the top edge so there is enough room for the pepper jelly.
  3. Top each cup with a small spoonful of pepper jelly. You want enough to create that signature sweet-spicy flavor without completely covering the creamy filling. A little drizzle over the edges is perfectly fine and makes the finished cups look even more inviting.
  4. Arrange the filled cups on a baking sheet and warm for 5–7 minutes, until the cream cheese mixture is slightly softened and the phyllo cups are crisp. Let them cool for about 1 minute, then garnish with fresh parsley or extra green onions if desired.
    Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Soften the cream cheese completely before mixing for the smoothest filling. Do not overfill the phyllo cups; leave room for the pepper jelly. For the best texture, assemble close to serving time and warm at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven rather than the microwave to help restore some crispness to the phyllo.