Dried Cranberry Sharp Cheddar Cheese Balls

Name: Dried Cranberry Sharp Cheddar Cheese Balls
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 4-1/2 dozen
Ingredients: 2 cups chopped pecans; 2/3 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon; FILLING:; 3 cups smoked sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 6 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans; 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon; 1/4 cup minced fresh basil

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

These personal-size cheese balls are such a pleasure to pass around at a party. They’re much easier to eat than their full-scale counterparts. —DonnaMarie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Ingredients

2 cups chopped pecans
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
FILLING:
3 cups smoked sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1/4 cup minced fresh basil

Directions

Place pecans, cranberries and bacon in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a shallow bowl. For the filling, place remaining ingredients in the same food processor. Pulse until combined.
Shape cheese mixture into 1-in. balls; roll in pecan mixture. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 appetizer: 83 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

These personal-sized cheese balls are such a pleasure to pass around at a party. They’re much easier to eat than their full-scale counterparts. —DonnaMarie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Recipe Creator