Apple Pecan Cheeseball

  • Yield: 10 to 12
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (125 mL) chopped U.S. Gala or Granny Smith Apple (about ½ apple)
  • ½ lemon, juiced and divided
  • 8 oz (250 g) brick-style cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup (250 mL) grated extra old Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) apple jelly or apple butter
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
  • 1 cup (250 mL) chopped toasted pecans (approx.)
  • 4 to 5 additional U.S. Gala or Granny Smith apples, sliced
  • Crackers or toasts

Directions:

  1. Place chopped apple and ½ tsp (2 mL) lemon juice in food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, apple jelly and rosemary; pulse until uniformly combined.
  2. Scrape out onto a large piece of plastic wrap; roughly form into a ball and chill for at least 2 hours or until almost firm.
  3. Spread pecans in a shallow bowl; roll cheese ball in nuts, pressing into all sides until well coated. Chill until ready to serve (or for up to 4 days).
  4. Meanwhile, combine any remaining lemon juice with water in a shallow bowl. Dip sliced apples in lemon water (to keep them from browning); pat dry and place around cheese ball along with crackers to serve.

Notes:

To toast pecans, spread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8 minutes or until fragrant. Walnuts can be used instead if preferred.

Make mini cheese balls: Once the mixture is firm enough to shape, form 1 tbsp (15 mL) portions into balls. Coat balls in pecans. Insert a pretzel stick for a ‘stem’ if desired and chill until ready to serve. Makes 22 to 24 balls.

Variation: For a sweeter version replace the apple jelly with 1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup and the herbs with 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon. Just before serving, drizzle cheese ball with additional maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts:

PER SERVING (about 2 tbsp/30 mL cheese ball only): 160 calories, 15 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 4 g carbohydrates, 1 g fibre, 2 g sugars, 4 g protein. %DV: 7 % calcium, 2 % iron, 11 % vitamin A,