Description
This Cranberry Cheese Ball is a delightful, festive appetizer combining creamy goat and cream cheeses with sweet cinnamon and honey. Coated in a flavorful mix of pecans, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, served with your favorite crackers or chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Base
- 10 oz goat cheese (or feta cheese)
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 cup diced pecans
Coating
- 1/2 cup diced pecans
- 1/2 cup diced dried cranberries (or dried cherries)
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, cinnamon, and honey until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then gently fold in 1/2 cup of diced pecans to add a nice crunch inside the cheese ball.
- Shape and chill the cheese ball: Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your workspace. Place the cheese mixture in the center and gather the plastic wrap ends to form a compact ball. Secure it tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to firm up.
- Prepare the coating: On a piece of parchment paper, combine the remaining 1/2 cup pecans, dried cranberries, and minced parsley. Mix them evenly to create the coating mix that will surround the cheese ball.
- Roll and coat: Remove the chilled cheese ball from the plastic wrap and place it on the parchment paper with the coating mixture. Roll the cheese ball around until it is evenly covered with the pecan, cranberry, and parsley topping.
- Serve: Transfer the coated cheese ball onto a serving plate. Drizzle with extra honey if desired, and serve with crackers, toasted baguettes, bagel chips, pita chips, or pretzel chips for a delicious appetizer experience.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute nuts with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Allowing the cheese ball to refrigerate overnight enhances the flavor melding.
- You can substitute dried cherries for cranberries for a different but equally tasty flavor.
- The cheese ball can be prepared a day ahead for convenience.
- Serve the cheese ball chilled or slightly softened at room temperature for easier spreading.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry cheese ball, holiday appetizer, cheese ball recipe, goat cheese appetizer, cream cheese appetizer, festive cheese ball, pecan cheese ball
