Description
A festive and flavorful Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball combining creamy cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, perfect for holiday gatherings or party appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted
- 1/4 cup chives or green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Coating
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread chopped pecans evenly on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until aromatic. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Mix Cheese Ball Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat 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 until well combined and creamy.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Place the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Cover completely with the wrap and form into a smooth ball shape. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Prepare Coating: On a flat surface or cutting board, combine the remaining toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and chopped chives.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap. Roll the cheese ball in the cranberry-pecan mixture evenly to coat the outside.
- Serve: Present the cheese ball with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrots, or celery for dipping and serving.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, toast pecans until lightly golden but be careful not to burn them.
- The cheese ball can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to allow flavors to meld.
- Substitute chives with green onions for a milder onion flavor.
- Use a mixture of nuts such as walnuts or almonds if pecans are not available.
- Serve with a variety of dippers to cater to different preferences and textures.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 cheese ball
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
