Description
A Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is the perfect holiday appetizer to serve for parties, game-day, or potlucks. It’s creamy, and savory with just a hint of sweetness and a touch of heat. Serve it with crackers, pretzel chips, or pita chips.
Ingredients
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup finely minced chive, plus more as a garnish
½ cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped
½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
Toast the pecans.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Spread the chopped pecans out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 5 minutes or until golden and aromatic.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
Assemble the cheeseball.
In the bowl of an electric mixer on high speed, beat together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together.
Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, chives, and honey.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Spoon the mixture into the center of a square of plastic wrap and use the plastic wrap to form the mixture into a ball.
Wrap the ball completely in the plastic and chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
To serve:
In a flat dish or bowl, combine the cranberries and pecans together.
Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it into the cranberry-pecan mixture, pressing the fruit and nuts into the cheese.
Sprinkle the top with a few minced chives and garnish with a sprig of fresh herb.
Serve with pita chips, buttery crackers, or pretzel crisps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chilling time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Starter - Appetizer
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry pecan cheeseball, Thanksgiving appetizers, Christmas appetizers, cheese appetizers, cranberry recipes, game day