Description
Delightful finger food that combines flavors of pineapple, cranberries, and pecans.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped (plus extra for rolling)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Additional finely chopped pecans for rolling
Instructions
- Start by taking a medium mixing bowl and add in your softened cream cheese. It’s crucial that the cream cheese is at room temperature for this step; otherwise, you may end up with lumps in your mixture. Add the crushed pineapple to the bowl, ensuring that it is well-drained to avoid excess moisture, which could affect the consistency of the cheese balls. Follow this with the chopped dried cranberries, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Using either a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula, mix together all the ingredients. Your goal here is to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. The combination of flavors in this step is essential to ensure every bite is bursting with the right taste. Make sure there are no lumps and the ingredients are uniformly blended.
- Once everything is blended to perfection, cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for about 30 minutes. This chilling step is vital as it firms up the mixture, making it easier to scoop and roll into balls. Patience is key here; resist the temptation to skip this step!
- After the mixture has had time to chill, take it out of the refrigerator. Prepare a shallow plate with additional finely chopped pecans for rolling. Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out bite-sized portions of the chilled mixture. Roll them gently between your palms to form small, smooth balls.
- Once the cheese balls are formed, roll each one in the chopped pecans, ensuring that they are fully coated. Gently press the pecans onto the cheese ball so that they adhere well, providing that crunchy texture you’ll love.
- Arrange the finished cheese balls on a serving platter or a tray lined with parchment paper. For best results, refrigerate them for at least another 30 minutes before serving. This step allows the flavors to meld and gives them a firmer texture. You can serve them chilled or slightly cool, accompanied by your favorite crackers or simply on their own.
Notes
These cheese balls can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Protein: 2 g