Truffles with Cranberry Pecan Cheese

Components:

• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• Half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or any other type of cheese, such as brie or goat cheese)
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped (for rolling)
• Two teaspoons of honey, if desired, to add sweetness
• One tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley (for garnish, if desired)
• To taste, add salt and pepper.

Directions:

Get the ingredients ready:

• Finely chop the toasted pecans and dried cranberries.
• After a few minutes of fragrant toasting over medium heat in a dry skillet, allow the pecans to cool before cutting.
• Combine the melted cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese (or any other cheese of your choice) in a medium-sized bowl to make the cheesy base. Blend them together with a spoon or hand mixer until they are creamy and smooth.
• Add honey to the mixture and whisk to achieve a sweeter taste. At this stage, you can also adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Add the Cranberries: Mix the cheese mixture with the chopped dry cranberries. Stir them all together.

To create the truffles, scoop out little portions of the cheese mixture with your hands and roll them into 1-inch-diameter balls.

Toss in Pecans: Transfer the chopped, roasted pecans to a dish or shallow basin. Make sure the outside of each cheese ball is completely covered by gently rolling it in the pecans.

Chill the Truffles: To harden up, place the covered cheese truffles on a plate or tray lined with parchment and place them in the refrigerator for at least one to two hours.

Garnish (Optional): For a splash of color, top the truffles with additional cranberries or freshly chopped parsley before serving.

offer: At your next get-together, offer the chilled cranberry pecan cheese truffles as a snack or appetizer. They go very well with fresh veggies, baguette slices, or crackers.

Advice: For a more nuanced taste, try combining cream cheese with a small amount of goat cheese or blue cheese.
Before serving, sprinkle the truffles with a little additional honey for a more festive appearance.
You can prepare these truffles a day in advance and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

These Cranberry Pecan Cheese Truffles make a distinctive touch to a cheese buffet or are ideal for holiday gatherings. Have fun!