Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball has the perfect sweet, salty, and savory taste that's delicious over buttery crackers. It's easy to make and a fun and festive appetizer to share at all your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese or gorgonzola optional (see recipe notes for other options)
- 2 green onions, sliced, whites and greens separated
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 dried cranberries, divided
- 3/4 cup toasted pecans chopped fine
- non-stick cooking spray
- plastic wrap
Instructions
- In a 4-cup or larger food processor add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, white onion parts, Worcestershire, seasonings, and 1/4 cup cranberries. Pulse a few times until well incorporated but still leaving some texture. You don't want it to be completely smooth.
- On a large plate or pie dish add pecans, chop remaining cranberries, and green onion parts. Mix together.
- Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and transfer the cheese mixture to the center of the wrap. Pull the corners of the plastic together making sure to seal off any openings. Form cheese into a ball as best you can. See post for step by step images.
- Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray, unwrap plastic, and carefully transfer ball to the plate with nuts and cranberries. Coat all sides of the cheese making sure to press some of the nuts and berries into the ball. Once the ball is completely covered, place in the refrigerator covered loosely with foil or another piece of plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1-hour and up to 2-days in advance.
- Allow cheese ball to set at room temperature for 30-minutes, then serve with your favorite crackers and veggie sticks.
Notes
Tips:
Substitutions and Variations-
Cheese: Cheddar cheese is always a crowd pleaser but you can use other cheese like, sharp cheddar, pepper Jack for a spicy twist, or Colby Jack. This recipe only call for 1/4 cup of blue cheese or gorgonzola which adds a rich flavor, but you can leave it out and add more cheddar or another cheese you like.
Onions: Green onions are very mild but if you don’t like onion at all or maybe you can’t have them, substitute with fresh flat leaf parsley.
Nuts: Maybe pecans are not your jam? Instead use toasted walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
Storing Cheese Ball-
Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and store for up to one week and enjoy whenever you get a craving for a cheesy delicious snack.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 261 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 22.5g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat 13.2g | 66% |
| Cholesterol 64mg | 21% |
| Sodium 326mg | 14% |
| Total Carbohydrate 5.2g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.6g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 3.5g | |
| Protein 10.4g | |
| Vitamin D 3mcg | 17% |
| Calcium 253mg | 19% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 94mg | 2% |