Description
Delightful bite-sized cheese balls made with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped (for cheese ball mixture)
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped (for cheese ball mixture)
- 1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped (for coating)
- 1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped (for coating)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for 1-2 hours or microwave in 15-second intervals.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and toast pecans on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes. Allow to cool and finely chop.
- Shred sharp cheddar cheese from a block.
- Chop dried cranberries and divide them into two portions.
- Slice green onions.
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar until uniform.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, and black pepper to the cheese mixture; mix well.
- Fold in chopped pecans, cranberries, and green onions.
- Prepare a coating station combining remaining pecans and cranberries.
- Form mini cheese balls and roll them in the coating mixture.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, let them soften for 15-20 minutes and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. These mini cheese balls can be made 2-3 days in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cheese balls, holiday appetizer, party food, cranberry, pecan, festive snacks