Description
Creamy cranberry pecan cream cheese ball brings festive cheer to holiday gatherings with its tangy-sweet profile. Elegant appetizer blends smooth cream cheese, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans, delivering irresistible flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (50 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- ¼ cup (25 grams) chopped pecans (plus more for coating)
- ¼ cup (30 grams) dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ½ cup (50 grams) chopped pecans (for coating)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Serving Suggestions:
- Crackers
- Vegetable sticks
- Baguette slices
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese in a spacious mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to transform it into a silky, uniform texture.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar, finely chopped cranberries, and toasted pecans into the cream cheese base, creating a vibrant and textured mixture.
- Mince green onions and fold them gently into the cheese blend, distributing their sharp, fresh flavor throughout the spread.
- Drizzle honey for a subtle sweetness, then season with garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients until they form a cohesive, well-integrated cheese mixture with a balanced distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, carefully shaping it into a compact ball using the wrap to help form a smooth, rounded exterior.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up, making it easier to handle and serve.
- Before serving, optionally roll the cheese ball in additional chopped pecans to create a crunchy, decorative exterior that adds texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- Toast pecans lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cheese ball.
- For a lower-fat version, swap full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese without compromising taste.
- Make ahead and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld and the cheese ball to firm up, making it easier to shape and serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg