Description
A festive and flavorful Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball featuring cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, perfect for holiday parties or gatherings. This no-cook appetizer combines creamy and crunchy textures with a hint of garlic and fresh chives.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped and divided
- 1 cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted (optional)
- 1/4 cup chives or green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the chopped pecans on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until they become aromatic. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the toasted pecans, half of the dried cranberries, chopped chives or green onions, and garlic powder until well combined and smooth.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Place the cheese mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Cover it completely with the wrap and form the mixture into a ball shape. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: Just before serving, combine the remaining pecans, dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives on a flat surface or cutting board.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the cranberry-pecan-chive mixture until fully coated.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry pecan cheese ball with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrots, or celery as a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- For best flavor, toast the pecans until aromatic but be careful not to burn them.
- Use fresh chives or green onions depending on your preference for a mild onion flavor.
- This cheese ball can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated to deepen flavors.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and substitute with toasted sunflower seeds or omit coating entirely.
- Serve with an assortment of dippable items like vegetables and various types of crackers for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
