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Creamy Cranberry Pecan Bacon Ranch Cheeseball

creamy cranberry pecan bacon ranch cheeseball - featured image
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This festive cheeseball combines tangy ranch, smoky bacon, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans for an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer. It’s creamy, flavorful, and perfect for parties or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped and divided (1/2 cup for cheeseball, 1/2 cup for rolling)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (reserve 2 tbsp for rolling)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 tbsp extra dried cranberries (optional, for rolling)
  • 2 tbsp extra cooked bacon bits (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 7-8 minutes). Drain, cool, and crumble.
  2. Toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and golden. Cool before using.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar, and sour cream until smooth and fluffy.
  4. Fold in dried cranberries, 1/2 cup toasted pecans, most of the crumbled bacon (reserve 2 tbsp for rolling), and green onions if using.
  5. Scrape mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap, gather edges to form a ball, twist to secure, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).
  6. Spread remaining 1/2 cup pecans, reserved bacon bits, and extra cranberries on a plate. Unwrap chilled cheeseball and roll in coating until fully covered.
  7. Transfer cheeseball to a serving plate. Garnish with extra green onions or pecans if desired. Serve with crackers, pretzel sticks, sliced veggies, or bagel chips.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the cheeseball for at least 1 hour before rolling in coating. Toasting pecans enhances crunch and flavor. Make ahead up to 2 days; roll in coating just before serving. For nut allergies, use seeds or pretzels for rolling. Vegetarian option: omit bacon or use coconut bacon. Cheeseball can be frozen (uncoated) for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseball, holiday appetizer, cranberry, pecan, bacon, ranch, party food, easy appetizer, Christmas, Thanksgiving

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/creamy-cranberry-pecan-bacon-ranch-cheeseball-recipe-easy-holiday-appetizer/