This festive cranberry cheese ball wreath combines creamy cheese, sharp cheddar, sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a hint of orange for an easy Christmas appetizer that's perfect for holiday parties or homemade hostess gifts.
0 Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until it’s smooth, fluffy.
1 Add the cheddar, half the cranberries, half the chives, most of the jalapeño, the orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and the black pepper.
2 Stir until everything is evenly mixed and gloriously festive.
3 Lay out a piece of plastic wrap, then set a small bowl or ramekin (also wrapped) in the center.
4 Scoop the cheese mixture around the bowl, shaping it into a ring.
5 Wrap the whole thing tightly like it’s a secret holiday gift and chill for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to handle.
6 For the coating, combine the remaining cranberries, chives, the rest of the jalapeño, and the chopped pecans in a shallow dish.
7 Unwrap your chilled cheese wreath and gently roll it in the mixture, pressing to make sure all that tart-spicy-nutty goodness sticks.
8 Transfer the wreath to a serving platter.
9 Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around the base so it looks like something Pinterest would cry over.
10 Add crackers, pretzels, or baguette slices, and watch people swarm like holiday-themed locusts.
