Sweet & Nutty Cranberry Pecan Cheese Bites
Creamy, tangy, and delightfully crunchy bite-sized cheese bites made with a blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and feta then rolled in dried cranberries and pecans perfect for parties and gatherings.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Mix-ins
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans finely chopped
- 2 tbsp green onions chopped thinly
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Seasoning
- 1/4 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper adjust to taste
Coating
- 2-3 tbsp chopped pecans for coating
- 2-3 tbsp dried cranberries for coating
Serving Suggestions
- assorted crackers or fresh vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Combine cheeses and mix-ins: In a mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and crumbled feta. Add the chopped dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Combine cheeses and mix-ins: In a mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and crumbled feta. Add the chopped dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth with visible nuggets of fruit and nut. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Shape the cheese mixture into a ball. If too sticky, wet hands slightly or chill for 10 minutes to make shaping easier.
- Prepare coating: On a plate, combine additional chopped pecans and dried cranberries for the outer coating. Press the surface of the cheese ball into the coating and roll until fully covered.
- Chill: Wrap the coated cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the cheese ball to firm up.
- Serve: Remove from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Notes
Store leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chill before serving for best texture and flavor combination.