Cranberry Cheese Ball
After all the shopping, cooking, and entertaining for Christmas, New Year’s Eve always seems to sneak up on us. And let’s be real: You’ve been too busy playing with your fun new kitchen toys to bother with planning an impressive New Year’s dish. That’s fine – just make something that’s little on prep and big on flavor. When in doubt, a cheese ball is a classic appetizer to make for any gathering, and it’s so easy to make. This version, studded with toasted pecans and tangy dried cranberries, is a holiday hit. The best part? It’s so simple it will still leave you time to get all gussied up.
Ok, I’ll be honest… I’ve never met a cheese ball I didn’t like. They’re always so full of flavor and basically fool-proof. You might as well make a double batch now, because this Cranberry Cheese Ball is going to be a huge hit. Pair it with other cheeses and meats on a charcuterie board or serve it by itself with all sorts of crackers, breads or pretzels. Whatever way you dip it, it’s sure to be fabulous.
Prep Time
10 mins
Wait Time
4 hours
Total Time
4 hours and 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2, 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups sharp white cheddar, shredded
- 1 cup Craisins
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 cup pecans, chopped and toasted and cooled completely
Instructions
- Stir together the cream cheese and cheddar until it’s evenly combined
- Mix in the Craisins, green onions, and parsley
- Spread toasted pecans onto a baking sheet
- Form the cheese into a ball shape
- Roll the cheese ball around on the pecans to completely coat the outside of the ball
- Completely cover with plastic wrap and store overnight or at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to mix.
*Pro tip: You can either make one giant cheese balls or make mini ones! Follow the same instructions, just make your cheese balls into a smaller shape and roll in the toppings separately.
