Description
Creamy cheeseball adorned with pomegranate jewels offers a festive twist on classic appetizers. Nutty pecans and tangy cheese create an irresistible combination you can’t wait to share at gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces (113 grams) mascarpone cheese, softened
- 6 ounces (170 grams) sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Flavoring and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 10 fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Garnish and Accompaniment:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 cup (150 grams) pomegranate arils
- Crackers for serving
Instructions
- Sauté sage leaves in melted butter over medium heat until golden and crisp, approximately 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towel to drain excess butter.
- In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, mascarpone, and cheddar until smooth and well-incorporated, using an electric mixer.
- Finely chop crispy sage leaves and fold into cheese mixture along with chopped almonds, remaining butter, salt, and black pepper.
- Using clean hands, shape the cheese mixture into a compact spherical form, ensuring even consistency.
- Wrap cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
- Gently pat pomegranate seeds dry with clean paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Remove chilled cheese ball from refrigerator and carefully roll surface in prepared pomegranate seeds, pressing lightly to ensure seeds adhere uniformly.
- Transfer decorated cheese ball to serving platter and allow to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Notes
- Carefully pat pomegranate seeds completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making the cheeseball soggy.
- Toast almonds briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch to the cheese mixture.
- Ensure cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature for smoother, easier blending without lumps.
- Use fresh, high-quality pomegranate seeds for the most vibrant color and brightest burst of flavor when decorating the exterior.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg