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Winter White Bean Dip

Featured in: Cozy Everyday Meals

This creamy white bean blend combines cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs into a smooth, flavorful spread. An eye-catching olive penguin garnish adds a playful, festive touch using black olives, mozzarella, and carrot pieces. Ready in 20 minutes without cooking, it's a perfect Mediterranean-inspired dish for chilly evenings or entertaining guests. Simple, elegant, and packed with fresh textures, this spread invites sharing and enjoyment.

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Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:34:00 GMT
Creamy Winter Dip, a white bean dip topped with adorable olive penguin garnishes for festive serving. Save
Creamy Winter Dip, a white bean dip topped with adorable olive penguin garnishes for festive serving. | ivorycrumb.com

A creamy, savory white bean dip perfect for winter gatherings, adorned with adorable olive penguin decorations for a festive touch.

This dip has always been a hit at our holiday parties, especially with the charming olive penguins that delight both kids and adults.

Ingredients

  • White Bean Dip: 2 cups (1 can, 15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, minced, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Olive Penguin Decoration: 18 large black olives (whole, pitted), 6 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), 1 large carrot, 6 toothpicks

Instructions

Prepare Dip:
In a food processor, combine cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve Dip:
Transfer dip to a serving bowl and smooth the top with a spatula.
Assemble Penguin Decoration:
Peel the carrot and cut into 12 thin coins (about 1/8-inch thick) for penguin feet. Cut 6 small triangles from additional carrot slices for beaks. Pat the olives dry. Cut a slit lengthwise in 6 olives and gently stuff each with a mozzarella ball to form the penguins white belly. Place a carrot coin flat on your work surface for feet. Stand the stuffed olive vertically on top. Top with a whole olive (head). Insert a carrot triangle into the head olives pitted hole for the beak. Secure the penguin by threading a toothpick through the head, body, and feet. Repeat to make 6 penguins. Arrange on top of or around the white bean dip.
Mediterranean-inspired Winter Dip: imagine smooth white bean dip with cute olive penguins surrounding it. Save
Mediterranean-inspired Winter Dip: imagine smooth white bean dip with cute olive penguins surrounding it. | ivorycrumb.com

My family loves making the olive penguins together; it turns snack time into a fun and creative activity for all ages.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with crackers, pita chips, or sliced vegetables for dipping. Garnish with extra parsley or a drizzle of olive oil for added color.

Dietary Adaptations

For a vegan version, substitute vegan mozzarella or small balls of tofu for the mozzarella in the penguin decoration.

Pairing Ideas

Try pairing this dip with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the flavors of the Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Festive Winter Dip: enjoy this delicious white bean dip with a fun penguin garnish for winter gatherings. Save
Festive Winter Dip: enjoy this delicious white bean dip with a fun penguin garnish for winter gatherings. | ivorycrumb.com

This white bean dip with olive penguin decorations is sure to impress at your next gathering while being simple to prepare.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of beans are used in the dip?

Cannellini beans are used, providing a creamy texture and mild flavor to the dip.

→ How do I assemble the olive penguin decoration?

Stuff black olives with mozzarella balls for the body, top with another olive for the head, use carrot slices for feet and beak, and secure with toothpicks.

→ Can this be made vegan?

Yes, substitute the mozzarella with vegan cheese or tofu for a dairy-free alternative.

→ Is cooking required for this dish?

No cooking is needed; all ingredients are blended and assembled raw for a quick and fresh preparation.

→ What flavors characterize this dip?

It features bright lemon, garlic, fresh parsley, and a hint of smoked paprika, balanced by creamy beans and olive oil.

→ What pairing suggestions complement this dish?

Enjoy with crisp wines like Sauvignon Blanc, or serve alongside crackers and fresh vegetables.

Winter White Bean Dip

Savory white bean blend topped with charming olive penguins for a festive winter appetizer.

Prep time
20 min
0
Total duration
20 min
Created by Nora Ellington


Skill level Easy

Cuisine type Mediterranean-Inspired

Makes 6 Serves

Diet details Meat-free, No gluten

What You'll Need

White Bean Dip

01 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
02 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 1 clove garlic, minced
05 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
06 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
07 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Olive Penguin Decoration

01 18 large black olives, whole and pitted
02 6 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
03 1 large carrot
04 6 toothpicks

Directions

Step 01

Prepare White Bean Dip: Combine cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 02

Transfer Dip: Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and smooth the surface with a spatula.

Step 03

Prepare Carrot Pieces: Peel the carrot and slice into 12 thin coins about 1/8 inch thick for penguin feet. From additional carrot slices, cut 6 small triangles for penguin beaks.

Step 04

Stuff Olives: Pat olives dry. Cut a lengthwise slit into 6 olives and gently stuff each with a mozzarella ball to create the penguin white belly.

Step 05

Assemble Penguin Feet and Body: Place a carrot coin flat on the work surface as penguin feet and stand a stuffed olive vertically on top.

Step 06

Add Penguin Head: Place a whole olive on top as the head. Insert a carrot triangle into the head olive’s pitted hole to form the beak.

Step 07

Secure Penguin: Firmly thread a toothpick through the head, body, and feet to secure the olive penguin together.

Step 08

Repeat Assembly: Repeat the assembly process to create six olive penguins. Arrange them on or around the white bean dip before serving.

Tools needed

  • Food processor or blender
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Toothpicks
  • Serving bowl

Allergen details

Be sure to review the ingredients for possible allergens and speak to a healthcare provider when uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (mozzarella).
  • Gluten-free; verify processed foods if served alongside.

Nutrition info per dish

Details here are just for reference. They don't replace health or nutrition advice.
  • Calories: 140
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 6 g