Spiced Cherry Cheese Ball

This might be my favorite holiday appetizer of all time!!!  Every time I make it people are SO impressed too – it definitely gets awesome reviews!  Check it out and impress your next party guests with this holiday favorite.

I know what you are thinking… a CHEESE BALL is a healthy appetizer??  Well, Katie and I both believe that you can’t completely ignore holiday foods, especially your favorites.  If you do they will continue to call your name from across the room at your holiday party… ‘Eat me… eat me...”!  Instead, we believe it’s important to give in a little, but with moderation!  I’ve slimmed down this original recipe found here with 1/3 less fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar.  Also, serve with veggies for a lower pp option!

Servings:  24

Size:  2 Tbsp. + 5 Ritz crackers

Points Plus: 4pp 

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ 2 hours of time in the fridge)

Cook Time: n/a

Rating: 4 stars – Very Good

  

Ingredient List:

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, 1/3 less fat

1 8 oz. package shredded white cheddar cheese, reduced-fat

½ cup dried cherries, chopped

¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

½ cup pecans, finely chopped

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and shredded cheese until thoroughly combined.  Add in the cherries and pumpkin pie spice. Shape into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Throw into the fridge and let sit for 2+ hours.  Just before serving, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and roll in pecans.  You might need to gently press the pecans in to make sure they stick.  Serve with crackers.

Tip:

One easy way to cut back on pp value with this app is to serve your cheese ball with veggies instead of crackers!!  This cuts down the serving to be only 2 pp for the cheese spread and 0 pp for the veggies! Cucumber slices and carrot sticks (or carrot chips) would work well since they would provide a firm enough base to spread the cheese onto.

XOXO Megan