Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Bites
These festive cranberry pecan cheese ball bites combine creamy pepper jack and cream cheese with sweet dried cranberries, savory chives, and crunchy pecans. Finished with a colorful cranberry-pecan coating and a pretzel stick for easy serving, they make an attractive bite-sized appetizer for parties and holiday gatherings.
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Ingredients
For the Cheese Mixture
- 16 ounces cream cheese brought to room temperature until softened
- 2 cups freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup pecans finely chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Outer Coating
- 1 cup dried cranberries finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped pecans preferably toasted beforehand
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
For Assembly
- 25 slender pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Place the softened cream cheese, shredded pepper jack, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup chopped dried cranberries, about 1 tablespoon of the chopped chives, salt, onion powder, and black pepper into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment and blend on medium speed until the cheese mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and evenly combined.
- Stop the mixer once or twice during blending to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, ensuring that all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Measure the prepared cheese mixture into 1-tablespoon portions. Using clean hands, gently roll each portion into a compact ball.
- Arrange the shaped cheese balls on a baking sheet covered with wax paper, continuing until all of the cheese mixture has been portioned.
- Transfer the tray to the refrigerator and chill the cheese balls for a minimum of 2 hours. This firming period allows them to retain their shape more effectively during coating.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup chopped dried cranberries, and about 1 tablespoon of the remaining chopped chives.
- Combine thoroughly so the pecans, cranberries, and chives are distributed evenly throughout the coating mixture.
- Remove the chilled cheese balls from the refrigerator.
- Roll each ball through the prepared cranberry-pecan mixture, gently pressing the coating onto every side until the surface is completely covered.
- Insert one pretzel stick into the center of each coated cheese ball to create an individual, easy-to-serve appetizer.
- Place the completed bites back in the refrigerator and keep them chilled until serving.
Notes
- Lightly toasting the pecans intended for the exterior coating enhances their nutty flavor and gives the finished bites additional crunch.
- For the cleanest coating and best shape, allow the formed cheese balls to chill for the full 2 hours before rolling them in the cranberry-pecan mixture.