Cranberry Cheese Ball
A Cranberry Cheese Ball is a festive and flavorful appetizer that combines creamy cheese with the tart sweetness of cranberries, creating a delicious balance of savory and sweet. Often served as a dip or spread, it’s typically enjoyed with crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cranberry juice cocktail
- ½ cup dried cranberries, snipped, divided
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives, divided
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- crackers, crostini, and/or vegetable dippers for serving
Instructions
- Collect all the ingredients.
- Heat the cranberry juice in a small saucepan until it just begins to boil, then remove it from the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, cover the saucepan, and set it aside. This allows the cranberries to soften and absorb some of the juice, enhancing their flavor before mixing them into the cheese ball.
- Place the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and butter in a large bowl and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the ingredients to soften, making them easier to blend together smoothly, ensuring a creamy and well-mixed texture for the cheese ball.
- Drain the cranberries, reserving 1 tablespoon of the juice. Add the softened cranberries and the reserved juice to the bowl with the cheese mixture. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of chives, orange zest, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. This step ensures the flavors are evenly incorporated, creating a smooth, creamy, and flavorful cheese ball base.
- Scoop the cheese mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and use the wrap to shape it into a ball, though it may not be perfectly round at first. Once shaped, wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours. Chilling the cheese ball helps it firm up and allows the flavors to meld together, making it easier to handle and more flavorful when served.
- After the cheese mixture has chilled, you can refine the shape by rolling the wrapped mixture on your work surface. Gently roll it back and forth to form a smooth, more uniform ball. This helps create a perfect, round shape for the cheese ball, ensuring it looks appealing when served.
- Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon of chives, and the chopped pecans onto a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper. Roll the chilled cheese ball in the mixture to evenly coat the surface. This final step adds a colorful and flavorful crust, giving the cheese ball a visually appealing finish and a delightful crunch with each bite.
- Let the cheese ball sit for 15 minutes before serving with crackers, crostini, or vegetable dippers. Allowing it to rest helps bring out the full flavor and makes it easier to slice or scoop, ensuring a smoother texture and more enjoyable serving experience.