Good for make-ahead entertaining, this cranberry cheese ball recipe is a show-stopping vacation appetizer! The creamy goat cheese blends fantastically with hints of cinnamon and honey, whereas the coating of crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, and recent 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 stated they don’t like goat cheese cherished it and two requested me for the recipe haha. It’s the right vacation appetizer, subsequent time I wish to attempt 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 chew is creamy, candy, tangy, and filled with a pleasant crunch from toasted pecans. It checks all the proper bins and is certain to vanish quick! You possibly can even make them into mini cranberry goat cheese balls in case you choose them to be chew sized.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
Craving much more cranberry recipes? We’ve obtained you coated! Try our retro cranberry jello salad, straightforward cranberry orange sauce, and these festive cranberry brie bites!
Key Elements
Beneath you'll discover useful notes for key substances used to make this cranberry cheese ball recipe. Scroll all the way down to the recipe card under for the complete ingredient checklist and precise quantities!
- Goat Cheese: Feta additionally works, if most well-liked, however the tangy goat cheese taste is tamed by the creamy cheese and different substances… 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 sure that it's absolutely softened earlier than starting, so it combines properly with the opposite cheeses.
- Cinnamon: Slightly goes a good distance. The purpose right here is to heat issues up just a bit to offer depth to the brilliant, tangy cranberries.
- Honey: We add slightly contained in the cheese ball so as to add slightly sweetness, but it surely 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!
How you can Make a Cranberry Cheese Ball
Utilizing easy substances, this appetizer gained’t break the financial institution, however it's going to make a giant impression. Beneath is a fast recipe overview, however please scroll to the recipe card under for the complete 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 a giant 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 at the least 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 a giant mess. Toss collectively the remaining pecans, cranberries, and parsley. Unwrap the cheese ball, then roll within the topping till absolutely coated.
- Get pleasure from: Serve it on a plate and drizzle with additional honey on prime, if desired!
Chef’s Ideas & Variations
- Use Feta As an alternative: For a saltier, tangier possibility, swap the goat cheese with feta. It can 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 recent orange zest for a citrusy notice that pairs fantastically with the cranberries.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: This cranberry cheese ball wants to take a seat within the fridge for at the least 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 an alternative of a ball, form it right into a log for even simpler slicing and serving.
- Add Garlic: A pinch of garlic powder provides a refined 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 maintain it wrapped in plastic wrap within the fridge. Roll it within the pecans, cranberries, and parsley simply earlier than serving for the perfect 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 colour, however the flavors will nonetheless be nice.
- Freezing: You possibly can 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
Good for make-ahead entertaining, this cranberry cheese ball recipe is a festive vacation appetizer! Each chew combines creamy goat cheese, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a touch of honey.
Elements
- 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 recent parsley
Directions
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In a big bowl, beat collectively the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon and honey till gentle 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 at the least 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 colour 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 protected 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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