Description
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy and tangy cream cheese is blended with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of cinnamon and sugar. Chilled to firm up, it’s an easy, no-cook recipe that’s ready to serve with crackers or sliced bread in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, grated Parmesan cheese, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape into a Ball: Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into a compact ball, smoothing the surface as much as possible.
- Chill: Place the formed cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step helps the flavors meld together and firms up the cheese ball for easier serving.
- Optional Decoration: For a festive touch, roll the chilled cheese ball in additional chopped pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
- Serve: Serve the cheese ball chilled alongside your favorite crackers or sliced bread for an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easier mixing.
- For added flavor and texture, you can toast the pecans lightly before mixing.
- If you prefer a less sweet cheese ball, reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap while chilling to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors.
- Can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
