Indulge in the Best Savory Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
This Savory Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball blends creamy and crunchy, creating a delightful appetizer that captivates your holiday gatherings.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet
- plastic wrap
- shallow bowl
Ingredients
For the Cheese Ball
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder optional
- 1 tsp Onion Powder optional
- 1 tsp Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh Chives chopped, plus more for coating
- 1 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 cup Pecans chopped, toasted if desired
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne or Hot Sauce optional
For Serving
- 1 package Crackers or Pretzels to serve with cheese ball
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Begin by softening the cream cheese at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
- In a dry skillet, toast the pecans over medium heat for 4–5 minutes until fragrant.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Gently fold in half of the chopped pecans, cranberries, and fresh chives into the cheese mixture.
- Transfer the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into a ball, wrap tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the remaining chopped pecans, cranberries, and chives.
- Once chilled, roll the cheese ball in the coating mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving with assorted crackers or pretzels.
Notes
Drizzle with honey for extra sweetness. Adjust salt and onion powder for taste preference.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 5gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg
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