Excellent for make-ahead entertaining, this cranberry cheese ball recipe is a show-stopping vacation appetizer! The creamy goat cheese blends superbly with hints of cinnamon and honey, whereas the coating of crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, and contemporary parsley provides the right festive contact.
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Ellie
This was an enormous hit for our Thanksgiving potluck at work! Even individuals who mentioned they don’t like goat cheese beloved it and two requested me for the recipe haha. It’s the right vacation appetizer, subsequent time I wish to strive it with cherries and pistachios!
On the lookout for the right vacation appetizer? This cranberry cheese ball recipe is simple, festive, and an enormous hit with any crowd. Every chunk is creamy, candy, tangy, and full of a pleasant crunch from toasted pecans. It checks all the fitting packing containers and is bound to vanish quick! You'll be able to even make them into mini cranberry goat cheese balls should you choose them to be chunk sized.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
Craving much more cranberry recipes? We’ve acquired you coated! Take a look at our retro cranberry jello salad, simple cranberry orange sauce, and these festive cranberry brie bites!
Key Components
Beneath you can see useful notes for key components used to make this cranberry cheese ball recipe. Scroll all the way down to the recipe card beneath for the total ingredient listing and precise quantities!
- Goat Cheese: Feta additionally works, if most popular, however the tangy goat cheese taste is tamed by the creamy cheese and different components… Most goat cheese haters *love* this cheese ball and do not know it’s made with goat cheese!
- Cream Cheese: We advocate utilizing common, full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture. Be certain it's absolutely softened earlier than starting, so it combines properly with the opposite cheeses.
- Cinnamon: Just a little goes a great distance. The objective right here is to heat issues up just a bit to provide depth to the brilliant, tangy cranberries.
- Honey: We add a little bit contained in the cheese ball so as to add a little bit sweetness, nevertheless it additionally makes a wonderful garnish! You can additionally use maple syrup, or agave, rather than the honey.
- Nuts: You need to use diced pecans, pistachios, or walnuts, or a combo of each.
- Dried Cranberries: Not a cranberry fan? Dried cherries or dried apricots additionally work nice!
Methods to Make a Cranberry Cheese Ball
Utilizing easy components, this appetizer gained’t break the financial institution, however it should make an enormous impression. Beneath is a fast recipe overview, however please scroll to the recipe card beneath for the total directions or to observe the step-by-step recipe video!
- Make the cheese combination: Beat collectively the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey. Fold in 1/2 cup nuts.
- Roll and chill: Minimize an enormous piece of plastic wrap! Place the cheese ball within the middle, then pull the wrap collectively to completely cowl it. Place within the fridge for no less than 1 hour. The longer it chills, the extra the flavors will meld and mix!
- Roll it: Line your countertop with parchment paper to keep away from an enormous mess. Toss collectively the remaining pecans, cranberries, and parsley. Unwrap the cheese ball, then roll within the topping till absolutely coated.
- Take pleasure in: Serve it on a plate and drizzle with additional honey on prime, if desired!
Chef’s Suggestions & Variations
- Use Feta As a substitute: For a saltier, tangier possibility, swap the goat cheese with feta. It would additionally pair properly with the honey and cranberries.
- Toast the Pecans: Calmly toast the pecans in a dry pan for a deeper, nuttier style.
- Add Orange Zest: Combine in 1 to 2 teaspoons of contemporary orange zest for a citrusy notice that pairs superbly with the cranberries.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: This cranberry cheese ball wants to sit down within the fridge for no less than one hour. Don’t rush this course of! It’s vital to let the flavors meld, but in addition to permit it time to agency up.
- Form It Otherwise: As a substitute of a ball, form it right into a log for even simpler slicing and serving.
- Add Garlic: A pinch of garlic powder provides a delicate savory notice that enhances the cheese.
Make Forward, Storing, and Freezing
- Make Forward: Put together the cheese ball as much as 3 days prematurely and preserve it wrapped in plastic wrap within the fridge. Roll it within the pecans, cranberries, and parsley simply earlier than serving for the very best presentation.
- Storing: Retailer any leftover cheese ball in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. The parsley could lose its vibrant shade, however the flavors will nonetheless be nice.
- Freezing: You'll be able to freeze the cheese ball (with out the outer coating) for as much as a month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and retailer in a freezer bag. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than including the topping and serving.
Yield: 16 servings (1 cheese ball)
Cranberry Cheese Ball
Excellent for make-ahead entertaining, this cranberry cheese ball recipe is a festive vacation appetizer! Each chunk combines creamy goat cheese, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a touch of honey.
Components
- 10 oz goat cheese, or feta cheese
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey, plus additional for garnish
- 1 cup diced pecans or walnuts, divided
- ½ cup diced dried cranberries, or dried cherries
- ¼ cup minced contemporary parsley
Directions
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In a big bowl, beat collectively the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon and honey till mild and fluffy. Fold in 1/2 cup pecans.
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Minimize a big piece of plastic wrap. Place the cheese ball within the middle, and pull the wrap collectively to make a ball. Place within the fridge for no less than 1 hour, or till able to serve.
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Line your countertop with parchment paper. Toss collectively the remaining pecans, dried cranberries, and parsley within the middle of the parchment paper. Unwrap the cheese ball, and roll within the topping till coated.
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Place on a serving plate and drizzle with additional honey, if desired. Serve with crackers, toasted baguettes, bagel chips, pita chips, or pretzel chips.
Notes
Retailer: Switch any leftover cheese ball to an hermetic container and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days. The parsley will free its vibrant shade over time, however the cheese ball will nonetheless style nice!
Freeze: Freeze the cheese ball (with out the outer coating) for as much as a month. Preserve it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap after which place in a freezer secure bag. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than including the topping and serving!
Vitamin
Serving: 1 serving, Energy: 151kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 5g, Fats: 12g, Saturated Fats: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 4g, Ldl cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 99mg, Potassium: 54mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 409IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 44mg, Iron: 1mg
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