Description
Creamy cranberry pecan cream cheese ball brings festive cheer to holiday gatherings with its perfect blend of tangy and sweet flavors. Guests will savor each bite of this elegant appetizer that pairs beautifully with crisp crackers and sparkling conversation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (plus extra for coating)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Seasoning:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate softened cream cheese with cheddar, finely diced cranberries, crushed pecans, vibrant orange zest, golden honey, warm cinnamon, delicate salt, and cracked pepper.
- Whisk ingredients thoroughly until achieving a velvety, homogeneous consistency, utilizing a hand mixer if cream cheese remains dense.
- Transfer the blended mixture onto a plastic wrap sheet, sculpting into a compact spherical form using gentle hand motions or a utensil.
- Encase the cheese sphere completely with plastic wrap, ensuring a tight seal, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to harmonize flavors and enhance structural integrity.
- After chilling, unwrap the cheese ball and generously roll its exterior in additional chopped pecans, creating a rustic or completely encrusted presentation.
- Arrange the nutty-coated creation on an elegant serving platter, accompanied by crisp crackers, thinly sliced apples, or artisan bread for a sophisticated appetizer experience.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature ensures smooth, easy mixing without lumps.
- Toast pecans lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the cheese ball.
- Finely chop cranberries to distribute flavor evenly and prevent large chunks that might disrupt the creamy texture.
- For a lower-fat version, swap full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg