Mini Cheese Ball on a Stick

By dmscott52

First tried 11-22-2018. Very Good! Makes about 30
Notes: Use the cream cheese as a base, but add a different hard cheese. Try adding different dried fruits and nuts, like very finely chopped dried apricots rolled in finely chopped pistachio or pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients

• 1 - 8 ounce package light cream cheese
• 3 ounces crumbled blue cheese (3/4 cup, or other strong cheese--smoked cheddar is also good)
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans ( 2 cups of whole)
• approximately 30 pretzel sticks

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet and toast for 7-10 minutes, just until fragrant. Allow to cool, then chop finely in a food processor. Remove and set aside. Clean food processor.
2. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and toss into the food processor bowl. Process until smooth.
3. Add the blue cheese and cranberries and pulse until the cranberries are slightly chopped. If you process it too long the cheese mixture will take on an unappetizing blue tinge.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dampen your fingers and roll balls of the cheese mixture about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. They should be small enough for a single bite. Roll in the chopped pecans and place on the parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
5. Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick in the middle of each ball. If you insert it too early, it will turn soggy.