Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ozcream cheese
room temperature
- 4 ozextra-sharp white cheddar cheese
grated
- 1 tsponion powder
- 1garlic clove
finely grated
- to tastesea salt
- 1 cpecan halves
untoasted
- 4 ozbacon
preferably thin-cut
- 2chile morita
cut into thin strips with kitchen shears
- 1 cdried cranberries
- 1 tspfinely grated orange zest
- 1 tspfresh rosemary
chopped
- ¼ tspground nutmeg
- 1jalapeño
stemmed and finely chopped
- 1scallion
root end trimmed and thinly sliced
- crackers
sliced apples and sliced pears, for serving
Directions
- 1
Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, onion powder, and garlic in a large bowl until completely combined. Taste for seasoning and add salt if necessary. Let sit uncovered and set aside until ready to assemble.
- 2
Place pecans on a rimmed sheet tray and bake until very fragrant and browned, about 10 minutes. Let cool on the tray and set aside.
- 3
Meanwhile, cook the bacon. Arrange bacon in a dry, cool, large heavy skillet — preferably cast iron — heat over medium and cook bacon, turning once until the fat has rendered and the bacon is very crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool.
- 4
Pulse chile morita in a food processor until very finely ground. Add bacon, pecans, cranberries, orange zest, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until cranberries and pecans are finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside until ready to assemble.
- 5
Assemble the cheeseball. Add half of the pecan/cranberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Reserve remaining pecan/cranberry mixture for presentation. Place two large pieces of plastic wrap slightly overlapping on a clean work surface. Scrape cheese mixture into the center and fold the sides of the plastic over to completely cover. Shape into a ball using the plastic to help you and twist the end to compress the ball. Chill for at least 1 hour, and up to 48 hours.
- 6
Remove plastic wrap and roll chilled ball into reserved pecan/cranberry mixture, pressing it firmly into the cheese. Transfer to a serving board, sprinkle with scallion and jalapeño. Arrange crackers and sliced fruit around the ball.
Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball Recipe
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About this Recipe
Looking for an appetizer that will truly steal the show this Thanksgiving or any fall gathering? This Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, delivering sophisticated flavors that are deceptively simple to achieve. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your party spread, inviting guests to gather and enjoy.
What makes this cheese ball so special is its thoughtful blend of textures and tastes. The creamy richness of room-temperature cream cheese and sharp white cheddar provides the perfect foundation. But it's the unexpected addition of smoky bacon, tart dried cranberries, and a subtle warmth from chile morita and jalapeño that truly elevates it, creating a complex, craveable experience that goes beyond typical cheese balls.
When you dive into this appetizer, you'll discover a wonderfully creamy base, beautifully balanced by the savory crunch of bacon and the chewy sweetness of dried cranberries. The untoasted pecan halves add an earthy note and satisfying texture. Each bite offers a harmonious fusion of salty, sweet, and a mild, intriguing warmth from the chiles and the fragrant notes of orange zest, rosemary, and nutmeg. It's a festive, full-flavored dish that feels both comforting and exciting, making it ideal for entertaining.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to adjust the heat level by reducing the amount of chile morita or jalapeño, or omit them entirely for a milder profile. For a different nutty flavor, you could experiment with walnuts instead of pecans. While extra-sharp white cheddar offers a fantastic bite, a good quality aged provolone or gouda could also provide an interesting twist. To enhance the freshness, consider adding a touch more fresh rosemary or a sprinkle of additional orange zest right before serving.
Serve this elegant Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball with a variety of crackers, crisp sliced apples, and sweet sliced pears. It's perfectly suited for holiday parties, autumn potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with minimal fuss.