Description
A festive and flavorful Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball combining creamy cheeses with tart dried cranberries and crunchy pecans, perfect for holiday gatherings or parties served with crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 blocks (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (113 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (130 g) dried cranberries, roughly chopped, divided
- 1 cup (109 g) pecans, finely chopped, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped, divided
- Crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Mix the cheeses and some of the additions: In a large bowl using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, ½ cup of dried cranberries, ½ cup of pecans, and 1 tablespoon of chives together until well combined and smooth.
- Scrape and prepare plastic wrap: Scrape the sides of the bowl to bring the mixture into the center, forming about 3 cups of mixture. Set out a 10×10-inch piece of plastic wrap to prepare for shaping the cheese ball.
- Form the cheese ball and chill: Using greased hands, shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball and place it onto the plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly and seal the edges. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
- Prepare the coating mixture: On a plate, combine the remaining ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup pecans, and 1 tablespoon chives to create the coating.
- Coat the cheese ball: Remove the chilled cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Roll the cheese ball onto the plate with the cranberry, pecan, and chive mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating evenly around the ball.
- Bring to room temperature and serve: Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Serve with crackers alongside for spreading and dipping.
Notes
- This recipe yields 16 servings, which is enough to feed about 8 adults.
- You can easily halve all ingredients to make a smaller cheese ball if desired.
- Allowing the cheese ball to come to room temperature enhances the flavors and makes it easier to spread on crackers.
- Use greased hands or lightly oil your hands when forming the ball to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of cheese ball with crackers (about 45g cheese ball)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
