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Cranberry Pecan Pinecone Cheese Ball

This Cranberry Pecan Pinecone Cheese Ball is one of those Christmas Eve Appetizers that instantly steals the spotlight. It’s creamy, tangy, and studded with sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, shaped into a festive pinecone that looks just as good as it tastes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 215
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Ball Mixture
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1.5 cups white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans plus extra halves for decorating
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Plastic Wrap

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Beat until smooth and creamy.
  2. Stir in the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and green onions. Mix until evenly distributed but don’t overwork the mixture.
  3. Transfer the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Shape it into an oval, then chill for at least 1 hour until firm.
  4. Once chilled, arrange pecan halves in overlapping rows to mimic pinecone scales. Start at the bottom and work upward until the cheese ball is covered.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Let it sit out for about 10 minutes before serving so it’s soft enough for spreading.

Notes

  • Use roasted pecans for extra flavor.
  • Try adding chopped dried apricots or cherries instead of cranberries for variety.
  • Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Pairs well with crackers, pretzels, or baguette slices.