Description
Creamy cheese blends perfectly with cranberry pecan “Holiday Cheese Ball” for a festive appetizer that sparkles with seasonal charm. Guests will savor each crisp bite of this delightful party starter that brings warmth and flavor to winter gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (60 grams) dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup (30 grams) chopped pecans
Coating:
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
Serving Suggestion:
- Crackers, fresh veggies, or bread slices
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and allow cream cheese to reach room temperature for effortless blending.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine cream cheese, cheddar, chopped cranberries, initial portion of pecans, honey, garlic powder, and thyme until ingredients form a harmonious mixture.
- Transfer the blended composition onto a generous sheet of plastic wrap, using the wrap as a molding tool to shape a compact, spherical form.
- Refrigerate the proto cheese ball for approximately one hour, allowing it to solidify and develop robust flavor integration.
- While chilling, prepare the exterior coating by dispersing remaining pecans across a flat surface, optionally incorporating additional cranberry fragments for visual intrigue.
- Extract the chilled cheese ball from refrigeration and carefully unwrap its protective covering.
- Gently rotate the cheese sphere through the pecan mixture, applying consistent pressure to ensure uniform adherence of the crunchy exterior.
- Position the decorated cheese ball centrally on an elegant serving platter, surrounding it with an assortment of complementary accompaniments like crisp crackers, raw vegetable crudités, or artisan bread slices.
- Serve immediately or store briefly in cool conditions to maintain structural integrity and flavor profile.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature for smooth, easy mixing without lumps.
- Chop cranberries and pecans finely to ensure even distribution and better coating coverage.
- Toast pecans briefly beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the cheese ball.
- Make this appetizer up to 2 days ahead, storing wrapped in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg