Cranberry Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• 0.25 cups cranberry juice cocktail
• 0.5 cups dried cranberries , snipped, divided
• 1 package cream cheese , 8-ounce
• 1 cup heddar cheese
• 0.25 cups butter
• 2 tablespoons chives , divided
• 0.5 teaspoons orange zest
• 0.5 teaspoons brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.25 cups pecans , toasted and finely chopped
• crackers , crostini, and/or vegetable dippers for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Bring cranberry juice just to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries. Cover; set aside.

3. 3

   Place cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and butter in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Drain cranberries, reserving 1 tablespoon juice. Add plumped cranberries and reserved juice to the bowl with the cheese mixture. Add 1 tablespoon chives, orange zest, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Beat with an electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy.

5. 5

   Place cheese mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to shape the mixture into a ball (it won't be a perfect shape at this point). Wrap in the plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 24 hours.

6. 6

   Now you can make a better ball shape by rolling the wrapped mixture on your work surface.

7. 7

   Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries, remaining 1 tablespoon chives, and the pecans on a sheet of plastic wrap or waxed paper. Roll cheese ball in the mixture to coat.

8. 8

   Let stand 15 minutes before serving with crackers, crostini, or vegetable dippers.