Description
At its heart, a Pomegranate Pecan Cheese Ball is a classic spreadable cheese appetizer shaped into a round sphere and rolled in crunchy, colorful toppings. The smooth interior features a mixture of softened cream cheese, freshly grated sharp cheddar, savory garlic, onion powder, and chopped green herbs.
Ingredients
For the cheese ball
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225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
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1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
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½ cup (50 g) pecans, finely chopped and lightly toasted
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2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
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1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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½ tsp garlic powder
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¼ tsp onion powder
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¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
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A pinch of salt, to taste
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1 tsp honey (optional)
For the coating
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¾ cup (130 g) fresh pomegranate arils, patted dry
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½ cup (50 g) finely chopped pecans
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1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives
For serving
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Crackers
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Toasted baguette slices
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Pretzel sticks
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Apple or pear slices
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Celery sticks and carrot sticks
Instructions
1. Prepare the cheese mixture
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
2. Add the herbs and pecans
Fold in half of the chopped pecans, the chives, parsley, and honey if using. Mix gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
3. Shape and chill
Spoon the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Gather the wrap around it and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle easily.
4. Prepare the coating
Mix the remaining chopped pecans with the fresh parsley or chives. Pat the pomegranate arils dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, helping them adhere to the cheese ball.
5. Coat and serve
Remove the chilled cheese ball from the plastic wrap. Gently press the pomegranate arils and pecan mixture onto the outside, covering as much of the surface as possible. Arrange on a serving platter with crackers, baguette slices, and fresh fruit. Serve chilled or let stand for 10 minutes before serving for easier spreading.
Notes
This Pomegranate Pecan Cheese Ball combines rich, creamy cheese with crunchy toasted pecans and jewel-like pomegranate seeds for a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Serve it as the centerpiece of your appetizer platter for a festive dish that looks impressive and takes very little effort to prepare.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 75 g
- Calories: 230 kcal
Keywords: Festive pomegranate cheese ball, pecan pomegranate cheese spread, holiday cheese ball with pomegranate