Cranberry Cheese Ball (or Log)
Cranberry Cheese Ball (or Log)
Ingredients
For the Cranberry-Pecan Mixture
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, minced
- 1 orange, zested
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
For the Cheese Base
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
On a cutting board, roughly chop the dried cranberries. Mince the fresh chives. Grate the zest from the orange using a microplane or fine grater. In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, chopped cranberries, and minced chives. Stir everything together and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar cheese, and the orange zest prepared in the previous step. Use a hand mixer to thoroughly blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Take approximately half of the cranberry, pecan, and chive mixture and add it to the blended cheese base. Use the hand mixer again to blend this into the cheese mixture until it is evenly distributed. Scrape the combined cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help shape the mixture into a log or a ball, as desired. Place the plastic-wrapped cheese log on a plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to firm up.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
When ready to serve, take the remaining half of the cranberry, pecan, and chive mixture and spread it out evenly on a clean cutting board. Unwrap the chilled cheese log from the plastic wrap. Place the log onto the spread-out cranberry mixture and gently roll it, pressing the mixture onto all sides until the log is completely coated. Transfer the coated cheese log to a serving tray and serve immediately with your favorite crackers or pretzels.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cranberry Cheese Ball (or Log)
Ingredients
For the Cranberry-Pecan Mixture
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, minced
- 1 orange, zested
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
For the Cheese Base
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
On a cutting board, roughly chop the dried cranberries. Mince the fresh chives. Grate the zest from the orange using a microplane or fine grater. In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, chopped cranberries, and minced chives. Stir everything together and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar cheese, and the orange zest prepared in the previous step. Use a hand mixer to thoroughly blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Take approximately half of the cranberry, pecan, and chive mixture and add it to the blended cheese base. Use the hand mixer again to blend this into the cheese mixture until it is evenly distributed. Scrape the combined cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help shape the mixture into a log or a ball, as desired. Place the plastic-wrapped cheese log on a plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to firm up.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
When ready to serve, take the remaining half of the cranberry, pecan, and chive mixture and spread it out evenly on a clean cutting board. Unwrap the chilled cheese log from the plastic wrap. Place the log onto the spread-out cranberry mixture and gently roll it, pressing the mixture onto all sides until the log is completely coated. Transfer the coated cheese log to a serving tray and serve immediately with your favorite crackers or pretzels.
⏱️ 5 min