🎄 Christmas Cranberry Walnut Cheese Balls 🧀
This festive cheese ball is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and nutty flavors, with a hint of sweetness. A stunning centerpiece for your holiday spread!
Ingredients
For the Cheese Ball:
🧀 16 oz cream cheese, softened
🧀 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
🍯 2 tablespoons honey
🌰 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Coating:
🍒 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
🌰 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
🌿 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Make the Cheese Ball Base:
🥣 In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, honey, and ground cinnamon. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
2. Shape and Chill:
🍒 Using your hands or a spoon, shape the cheese mixture into one large ball or several mini cheese balls for individual servings.
Place the cheese balls on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
3. Prepare the Coating:
🌰 In a separate shallow bowl, combine the finely chopped cranberries, walnuts, and parsley. Mix well.
4. Coat the Cheese Ball:
Remove the chilled cheese balls from the refrigerator.
Roll each cheese ball in the cranberry-walnut-parsley mixture until fully coated, gently pressing the coating into the cheese for a firm adherence.
5. Serve:
❄️ Refrigerate the coated cheese balls until ready to serve. These can be prepared a day in advance for convenience.
Serve with crackers, veggie sticks, or slices of baguette.
Tips:
Customizable Coating: Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds, and experiment with herbs like thyme or chives.
Sweet or Savory: Add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick or increase the honey for a sweeter touch.
Pairings: Pair with a sparkling cranberry cocktail for a holiday vibe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8–10
A crowd-pleaser that's as festive as it is delicious! Perfect for holiday parties or as a thoughtful edible gift. 🎁
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