Cranberry Cheese Balls are a fast and simple appetizer that everybody loves! Paying homage to the basic cheese ball, these vacation cheese balls are made with two varieties of cheese and coated with chopped dried cranberries and pistachios. Add pretzel sticks for simple serving, or drizzle with a tangy balsamic glaze for much more taste!
In case you’re tasked with bringing an appetizer to your vacation events and even recreation day events, might I humbly counsel these Cranberry Cheese Balls? This mini cheese ball recipe is so good, your friends will need extra (and ask you for the recipe!)
Why You’ll Love these Vacation Cheese Balls
- They’re quick and simple to make, which is so useful through the busy vacation season!
- It’s make-ahead pleasant: You can also make these the day earlier than and preserve them chilled till able to serve.
- A mouthful of taste: recent herbs taste the cheese, and the nut and cranberry coating is simply the suitable distinction to the sleek, creamy cheese!
- Minimal elements: It doesn’t take rather a lot to make these cheese bites.
Components for Cranberry Cheese Balls
Collect collectively these easy elements to make this simple appetizer:
- Cream cheese, room temperature
- Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (it’s greatest in case you can shred it your self from a block reasonably than utilizing pre-shredded cheese)
- Dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- Chopped pistachios (see be aware beneath)
- Recent rosemary, chopped
- Recent parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Honey
- Pretzel sticks (elective, for serving)
An in depth ingredient checklist is within the printable recipe card on the backside of the publish!
Word: I used uncooked pistachios and added about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon every of salt and pepper. If utilizing salted pistachios, don’t add the extra salt.
Easy methods to Make Cranberry Cheese Balls
- In a big bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, half of the dried cranberries, half of the chopped pistachios, rosemary, salt and pepper, 1 tablespoon parsley, and 1 tablespoon honey. Combine till the whole lot is effectively included, scraping down the edges of the bowl as wanted.
- In a medium bowl, combine collectively the remaining cranberries, chopped pistachios, and parsley.
- Utilizing a #60 cookie scoop or a tablespoon, form the cream cheese combination into particular person balls. Roll every ball within the cranberry pistachio combination to coat. If utilizing pretzel sticks for serving, place one into every of the balls. Cowl and refrigerate for at the least half-hour earlier than serving.
- In case you’d like, drizzle with a Balsamic Glaze earlier than inserting on the serving platter for some added taste.
Recipe Variations
- You possibly can swap the white cheddar cheese for sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, blue cheese, or goat cheese for a unique taste mixture.
- Attempt a unique nut. Chopped walnuts, crunchy pecans, or almonds additionally make an ideal addition to dried cranberries.
- Elective add-ins: garlic powder, diced inexperienced onions, onion powder, and so forth.
- Serve them with candy and savory crackers or toasted baguette slices.
FAQs
How do I retailer Cranberry Cheese Balls?
Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days. Set them out at room temperature for about quarter-hour earlier than serving.
Can I make them forward of time?
Sure! Make the cranberry cheese bites a day prematurely (however don’t roll them within the nut/cranberry combination but!) Refrigerate till able to serve. Simply set at room temperature for quarter-hour, then roll within the nut combination earlier than serving.
Can I make these with out nuts?
Sure, though the feel will probably be totally different with out the crunchy nuts. Attempt crispy bacon, chopped into bits, or you would use some seeds.
Extra Cranberry Appetizers
There’s extra to make with cranberries than simply sauce! Attempt one in all these scrumptious appetizers:
In case you loved these Cranberry Cheese Balls, let me know within the feedback or go away a recipe evaluate!
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Cranberry Cheese Balls
These Cranberry Cheese Balls are a fast mini appetizer made with two varieties of cheese and coated with dried cranberries and pistachios. Add pretzel sticks for simple serving at any occasion or potluck!
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Directions
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In a big mixing bowl, add the 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, 2 tablespoons rosemary, salt and pepper, 1 tablespoon parsley, and 1 tablespoon honey. Combine till the whole lot is effectively included, scraping down the edges of the bowl as wanted.
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in a medium bowl, combine collectively the remaining 1/2 cup cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios and 1 tablespoon of parsley.
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Utilizing a #60 cookie scoop or a tablespoon, form the cream cheese combination into particular person balls. Roll every ball within the cranberry pistachio combination to coat. If utilizing pretzel sticks for serving, place one into every of the balls. Cowl and refrigerate for at the least half-hour earlier than serving.
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If you would like, drizzle with a Balsamic Glaze earlier than serving for some added taste.
Notes
- I used uncooked pistachios and added about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon every of salt and pepper. If utilizing salted pistachios don’t add the extra salt.
- It’s also possible to make or purchase a Balsamic Glaze to drizzle excessive of them earlier than serving to reinforce the flavour.
Diet
Serving: 1serving | Energy: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 6g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Ldl cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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