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Cranberry Orange Cheese Balls

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Cranberry Orange Cheese Balls

16 ounces full-fat cream cheesesoftened

2 cups white cheddar cheeseshredded

2 tbs pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons orange zest(about 1 large orange)

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leavesfinely chopped

½ tsp kosher saltplus more to taste

¼ tsp white pepper(or black pepper) to taste

2 cups pecanstoasted, finely chopped, divided

1 ½ cups dried cranberriesfinely chopped, divided

¼ cup fresh parsleyfinely chopped

Add the cream cheese, sharp white cheddar cheese, maple syrup, orange zest, thyme, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Then, tip in half of the pecans and half of the dried cranberries. (Reserve the remaining pecans and cranberries for later). Use a rubber spatula or hand mixer to mix the ingredients together until it is smooth and combined.

Portion the cranberry orange cheese using a #40 (1 ounce, 2 Tablespoon) cookie scoop. Roll each portion of cheese between your palms to create smooth balls. Place the cheese balls on a parchment-lined sheet pan and cover. Refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

About 15 minutes before serving, remove the cheese balls from the fridge and let them warm up just a bit. Combine the remaining pecans, cranberries, and parsley in a shallow dish or pie plate. Gently roll each cheese ball until the outside is well-coated. If the mixture doesn't stick, use your fingers to gently press the coating on the outside of the cheese balls.

Place the prepared cheese balls on a platter. Serve with crackers, pretzels, fruit, vegetables, or other snacks. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial Bite Tutorial

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Pecans for Maximum Flavor 🥜
Lightly toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before chopping to unlock their natural oils and deepen their nutty flavor, creating a more complex taste profile in your cheese balls.
Zest Orange Before Juicing 🍊
Always zest your orange first while it's whole and firm—it's nearly impossible to zest after juicing, and fresh zest adds infinitely more vibrant citrus flavor than dried zest.
Chill Mixture Before Rolling 🧊
Refrigerate your cheese mixture for at least 15-20 minutes before rolling into balls; this prevents them from becoming greasy or falling apart during handling and makes them much easier to shape.
Balance Sweetness with Salt 🧂
Taste your mixture before rolling and adjust kosher salt slightly higher than usual—it balances the sweetness from maple syrup and cranberries while enhancing the cheese's savory depth.
Dry Herbs for Extended Storage 🌿
Use dried thyme leaves mixed into the cheese ball mixture for better stability and shelf life, reserving fresh parsley only for the final coating to maintain its bright color and fresh appearance.