Description
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is a flavorful and festive appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. Creamy cream cheese and sharp cheddar are combined with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and fresh chives, then rolled into a festive ball coated with more cranberries, pecans, and chives. Serve chilled with crackers, pita chips, or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing starter.
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 tsp garlic powder
Coating
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted
- 2 tablespoons chives or green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the chopped pecans evenly on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and shredded cheddar until smooth. Add in half of the toasted pecans, half of the dried cranberries, chopped chives or green onions, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Place the cheese mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Cover completely and shape into a ball by wrapping it tightly. Chill the cheese ball in the refrigerator until firm and ready to serve.
- Prepare Coating: On a flat surface or cutting board, combine the remaining dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and chopped chives. Remove the chilled cheese ball from the wrap and roll it in this cranberry-pecan-chive mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
- Serve: Place the finished cheese ball on a serving plate. Serve chilled with an assortment of crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrot sticks, or celery sticks for dipping.
Notes
- To save time, toast pecans in advance and store them in an airtight container.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Chopped green onions can be substituted for chives if unavailable.
- Wrap the cheese ball tightly to avoid cracking and to help it keep its shape.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and roll the cheese ball in extra cranberries and chopped herbs.
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: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
