Description
Festive holiday gatherings come alive with this creamy cranberry pecan cheese ball, blending rich cream cheese, tangy cranberries, and crunchy pecans. Guests will devour this elegant appetizer that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in one irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dried Fruit and Nuts:
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (1/4 cup inside, 1/2 cup for coating)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly amalgamate cream cheese, cheddar, cranberries, pecans, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients meld seamlessly into a unified consistency.
- Mold the creamy mixture into a compact, spherical shape using gentle hand pressure, ensuring uniform roundness and density.
- Encase the cheese formation tightly in transparent plastic wrap, eliminating potential air pockets that might compromise texture.
- Refrigerate the wrapped delicacy for approximately 60-75 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and structural integrity to solidify.
- While chilling, prepare the exterior coating by meticulously combining finely chopped pecans and cranberries in a separate shallow dish.
- Carefully extract the cheese ball from its refrigerated environment and delicately roll its surface through the prepared pecan-cranberry mixture, applying gentle, even pressure to create a complete and consistent exterior coverage.
- Transfer the finished cheese sphere to a decorative serving platter, accompanied by an assortment of crisp crackers or artisan bread for an elegant appetizer presentation.
- If not serving immediately, return the coated cheese ball to the refrigerator, maintaining its optimal texture and flavor until guests arrive.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch.
- Choose dried cranberries instead of fresh to prevent excess moisture in the cheese ball.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like goat cheese or blue cheese for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 265 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg