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Cozy Whipped Cranberry Cream Cheese Ball with Pecans

cozy whipped cranberry cream cheese ball - featured image
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This light and fluffy cream cheese ball is the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with dried cranberries and pecans folded into a whipped cream cheese base. It’s an easy, no-bake appetizer that’s ideal for holiday parties or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped, plus more for coating
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish

Instructions

  1. Soften the cream cheese: Take your cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start. You want it to be soft but not greasy. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave it in 10-second bursts, but be careful not to melt it.
  2. Whip the cream cheese: Place the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until it’s light, fluffy, and completely smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula halfway through.
  3. Add the honey, vanilla, and orange zest: With the mixer on low speed, add the honey, vanilla extract, orange zest, and salt. Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix.
  4. Fold in the cranberries and pecans: Using your rubber spatula, gently fold in the chopped dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of the finely chopped pecans. Fold just until they’re evenly distributed.
  5. Shape the cream cheese ball: Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Scrape the cream cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap to help you, shape the mixture into a ball. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  6. Prepare the coating: About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans and an extra tablespoon of finely chopped dried cranberries on a small plate. Mix them together with a fork.
  7. Coat the cream cheese ball: Unwrap the chilled cream cheese ball and place it on the plate with the pecan-cranberry mixture. Gently press the coating onto the outside of the ball, turning it as you go, until it’s completely covered.
  8. Garnish and serve: Transfer the coated cream cheese ball to a serving platter. If you’re using fresh rosemary or thyme, arrange a few sprigs on top for a festive look. Serve immediately with crackers, pretzels, apple slices, or even celery sticks.

Notes

For best results, make the cream cheese ball a day ahead to allow flavors to meld. If the mixture feels too soft to shape after whipping, chill for 15 minutes before forming the ball. To freeze, wrap the uncoated ball tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before coating and serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: cream cheese ball, cranberry, pecan, appetizer, holiday, no-bake, whipped

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/cozy-whipped-cranberry-cream-cheese-ball-with-pecans/