Cranberry Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• cranberry juice cocktail (0.25 cup)
• dried cranberries (0.5 cup)
• cream cheese (1 package)
• sharp white cheddar cheese (1 cup)
• butter (0.25 cup)
• fresh chives (2 tablespoons)
• orange zest (0.5 teaspoon)
• brown sugar (0.5 teaspoon)
• garlic powder (0.5 teaspoon)
• pecans (0.25 cup)
• crackers, crostini, and/or vegetable dippers (0 )

Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Bring cranberry juice just to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries. Cover; set aside.
3. Place cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and butter in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Drain cranberries, reserving 1 tablespoon juice. Add plumped cranberries and reserved juice to the bowl with the cheese mixture. Add 1 tablespoon chives, orange zest, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Beat with an electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy.
5. Place cheese mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to shape the mixture into a ball. Wrap in the plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 24 hours.
6. Roll the wrapped mixture on your work surface to form a better ball shape.
7. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries, remaining 1 tablespoon chives, and pecans on a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper. Roll cheese ball in the mixture to coat.
8. Let stand 15 minutes before serving with crackers, crostini, or vegetable dippers.

Nutrition

(*Nutrition data is approximate and may vary depending on the brand and type of ingredients used.)

• kcal: 134
• fat: 11 g
• sats: 6 g
• carbs: 6 g
• fibre: 0 g
• protein: 3 g
• salt: 0 g