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Personal sized Cranberry Almond Cheeseballs

Cranberry Almond Cheese Ball Bites

Fresh cranberries, cilantro, and green onions pair perfectly with light cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, and chopped almonds to give these cheese ball bites a beautiful coloring and flavor. These make the perfect appetizer to encourage people to not cross-contaminate your dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8oz block of light cream cheese, softened
  • 1 C white cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3/4 C fresh cranberries, pulsed in the blender, finely chopped
  • 1/4 C green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3/4 C lightly salted almonds, chopped I like a mixture of finely and roughly chopped almonds to add visual texture differences

Equipment

  • blender
  • medium bowl for mixing
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • measuring cups, spoons,
  • parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Prepare a container for storing in the fridge lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Pour your almonds onto a cutting board and chop to desired sizes. Alternatively, you can use already chopped almonds. Put the chopped almonds in a shallow dish or bowl to roll the cheese balls in and set aside.
  3. Make sure your light cream cheese is softened before starting. Place softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl(I prefer a glass bowl). Set aside
  4. In a blender, add your fresh cranberries, replace the lid, and pulse several times until all the cranberries are finely chopped.
  5. Add shredded white cheddar cheese, sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the cream cheese. Mix well.
  6. Using a spatula, carefully scrape out all the cranberries into your mixing bowl with the softened cream cheese mixture. Add the fresh green onions and cilantro. Mix gently into the cream cheese mixture.
    We add these last as to not over mix the fresh ingredients, but especially the cranberries, as they will slightly color your cream cheese mixture a beautiful pink color.
    Cranberry Almond Cheeseball Bites filling in a glass bowl
  7. Once all the ingredients are incorporated evenly, use a medium sized cookie scoop(about 1 1/2-2 TBSP) to get the cheese mixture into little balls.
  8. Then gently roll the cheese ball into your chopped almonds and set in your prepared container with parchment paper.
  9. Continue until all the cheese mixture is used.
  10. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving.
  11. Serve at room temperature with gluten free crackers.
    Cranberry Almond Cheeseball Bites closeup