Description
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is a delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings and parties. Creamy cream cheese and sharp cheddar blend with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and fresh chives for a flavorful, festive treat that pairs wonderfully with crackers or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted
- ¼ cup chives or green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Coating
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the chopped pecans evenly on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Remove from oven and let them cool.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the toasted pecans, half of the chopped dried cranberries, chopped chives or green onions, and garlic powder. Beat together until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Form Cheese Ball: Place the cheese mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Wrap it completely, shaping the mixture into a ball. Refrigerate until firm and ready to serve.
- Prepare Coating: On a flat surface or cutting board, mix together the remaining half of the dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives.
- Coat Cheese Ball: Remove the cheese ball from the wrap and roll it gently in the cranberry-pecan-chive mixture until fully coated.
- Serve: Arrange the cheese ball on a platter and serve with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrot sticks, or celery sticks for dipping.
Notes
- To toast pecans without an oven, use a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until aromatic.
- For a sweeter cheese ball, add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the cheese mixture.
- Use fresh chives or green onions based on preference or availability.
- This cheese ball can be made a day ahead to allow flavors to meld; keep wrapped and refrigerated.
- Serve with a variety of dippers like crackers, veggies, or breadsticks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 cheese ball
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
