Description
This Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball is a festive and easy-to-make appetizer featuring toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, fresh parsley, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings and pairs wonderfully with crackers or pretzels.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ¾ cup walnuts (chopped)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup shredded Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Crackers (pita chips, pretzels, etc.) for serving
Instructions
- Toast walnuts: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped walnuts. Toast the nuts, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and emit a toasted aroma. Be careful to watch closely to prevent burning.
- Mix nuts and cranberries: Transfer the toasted walnuts to a medium bowl. Add chopped dried cranberries and fresh parsley, stirring until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Combine cheeses and seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and half of the walnut-cranberry mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Using a hand mixer can speed up this process.
- Chill mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
- Form cheese ball: Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the refrigerator. Using wax paper, shape it carefully into a smooth ball.
- Coat cheese ball: Roll the cheese ball in the remaining walnut-cranberry mixture until it is fully coated on all sides.
- Serve: Arrange the cheese ball on a serving platter and serve with crackers, pita chips, or pretzels for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- Use a hand mixer when blending the cream cheese and cheddar for a smoother texture and easier mixing.
- Toast walnuts carefully and watch them closely to prevent burning; this step enhances their flavor.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball overnight if possible to allow flavors to develop more fully.
- For a softer cheese ball, bring it to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving.
- Substitute pecans or almonds for walnuts if desired for a different nutty flavor.
- This appetizer pairs well with a variety of crackers such as pita chips, pretzels, or water crackers for versatile serving options.
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
