🎉 Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
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🧀 A Festive Holiday Appetizer Everyone Will Love
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball combines tangy cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, and the perfect mix of sweet dried cranberries and nutty pecans. It’s creamy, crunchy, and beautifully festive — ideal for parties or cozy holiday evenings at home. Serve it with buttery crackers, pretzels, or sliced apples for a stunning and easy appetizer!
🧰 Equipment
-
Large mixing bowl
-
Hand mixer or stand mixer
-
Rubber spatula
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Plastic wrap
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Serving plate or platter
-
Measuring cups and spoons
🧂 Ingredients
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16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
-
1 ¾ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
-
2 tsp fresh chopped parsley
-
1 tsp brown sugar
-
1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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1 cup dried cranberries
-
1 cup chopped pecans
👩🍳 Instructions
-
Mix the base:
In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. -
Add seasonings:
Stir in parsley, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully incorporated. -
Fold in cranberries:
Gently fold in ¾ cup of the dried cranberries. Reserve ¼ cup for rolling later. -
Shape the cheese ball:
Use a spatula to form the mixture into a rough ball shape. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up. -
Coat with pecans and cranberries:
Combine chopped pecans and the remaining cranberries on a large plate. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the mixture until fully coated. -
Serve:
Place on a serving platter and garnish with a little extra parsley if desired. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or apple slices.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair this festive cheese ball with:
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Butter crackers, bagel chips, or pita chips
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Sliced apples or pears for a sweet contrast
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Toasted baguette slices for a fancier touch
💡 Expert Tips
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Make Ahead: You can prepare the cheese ball up to 3 days in advance. Just wrap tightly and refrigerate, adding the nut coating just before serving.
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For a flavor twist: Try adding a few tablespoons of cooked, crumbled bacon or switch out the cheddar for a smoked gouda.
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Serving tip: Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving so it’s spreadable and creamy.
🧊 Storage
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Refrigerate: Store leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.
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Freeze: Wrap in plastic and then foil; freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
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🎉 Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Serving plate or platter
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in parsley, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold in ¾ cup of the dried cranberries. Reserve ¼ cup for rolling later.
- Use a spatula to form the mixture into a rough ball shape. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Combine chopped pecans and the remaining cranberries on a large plate. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the mixture until fully coated.
- Place on a serving platter and garnish with a little extra parsley if desired. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or apple slices.