Description
A festive and easy-to-make Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball appetizer combining toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese, perfect for holiday gatherings and serving with crackers or chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup shredded Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ cup walnuts (chopped)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For Serving
- crackers (pita chips, pretzels, etc.)
Instructions
- Toast Walnuts: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chopped walnuts. Toast nuts, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and smell toasted. Be careful to watch closely to prevent burning.
- Mix Nuts and Fruits: In a medium bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, chopped dried cranberries, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir until well combined and set aside. A hand mixer can make this step easier.
- Combine Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, add the room temperature cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and half of the walnut-cranberry mixture. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and firm up the mixture. Cover the remaining walnut-cranberry mixture separately with plastic wrap to keep fresh.
- Shape Cheese Ball: Using wax paper, shape the chilled cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the cheese ball in the remaining walnut-cranberry mixture until fully coated.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry walnut cheese ball with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, or your favorite dippers for a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- This cheese ball is a simple and festive appetizer perfect for holiday parties or any gathering.
- Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Using a hand mixer for the cheese mixture can save time and ensure smooth blending.
- Refrigerating overnight improves the texture and flavor of the cheese ball.
- Feel free to substitute parsley with fresh chives or green onions for a different flavor profile.
- Use wax paper when shaping to prevent sticking and for easier handling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 122 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 29 mg
