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Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball
A festive cranberry pecan cheeseball is the perfect addition to your holiday party spread! This creamy cheese appetizer combines tangy cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a delicious balance of flavors to create a crowd-pleasing centerpiece that pairs beautifully with crackers, veggie sticks, or pear slices.
Prep Time
5 mins
Chilling Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 208 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- ½ cup Chopped Pecans
- ⅓ cup minced chives divided
Instructions
- Add cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic powder and 2 tablespoons of the minced chives to a mixing bowl. Mix ingredients together until fully combined.
- Place a sheet of plastic wrap onto the counter. Dump the cheese mixture on top of the plastic wrap. Wrap the cheese mixture tightly with the plastic wrap. As you do this, press the cheese firmly on all sides until you form the shape of a nice, smooth ball.
- Place the cheese ball in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to chill.
- Lay a piece of parchment paper on top of the counter. Sprinkle the remaining chives, pecans and cranberries on top of the parchment paper. Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and begin to gently roll it across the parchment paper. Use your hands to help adhere the toppings to the sides of the ball. Continue until the entire ball is evenly coated.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Storage: This cheese ball can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to keep it nicely wrapped when stored so that it doesn’t dry out. You can also choose to freeze this as well. This cheese ball will stay fresh in the freezer for up to one month. If you choose to freeze, I would recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer proof container or ziplock.
- Variations: The cream cheese and goat cheese serve as your foundation to this recipe. From here you can easily play with the flavors you like the most. If you don’t love pecans, try a different nut such as pistachios or walnuts. If you’d like to make this nut-free you can even use crushed pretzels. You can also try other herbs as well. Fresh rosemary would make an excellent and flavorful option.
Nutrition Information
Calories
208kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Cholesterol
35mg
(12%)
Sodium
142mg
(6%)
Potassium
79mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
604IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
54mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 208
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 208kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 142mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 79mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 604IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.