Holiday Cranberry Kissing Ball Recipes

CRANBERRY PECAN CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• To Toast Pecans: Pre-heat oven to 375F. Place chopped pecans on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until aromatic. Remove from oven and set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ½ toasted pecans, ½ cup dried cranberries, chive or green onion, and garlic powder until well combined.
• Place mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and cover completely with wrap while forming it into a ball shape. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, combine remaining ½ cup pecans, ½ dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoon chives on a flat surface or cutting board. Unwrap the ball and roll in cranberry-pecan mixture.
• Serve with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrots or celery.

KITTENCAL'S HOLIDAY CRANBERRY STUFFING BALLS

Steps:

• Remove the sausage from casings, then place the sausage in a skillet; brown over medium heat breaking up the meat into very small pieces while cooking (about 8 minutes) set aside.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in the same skillet; add in onion and celery; sauté for about 5-6 minutes or until very soft (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking).
• Add in the cooked sausage back to the skillet, then add in the chicken broth; bring just to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits in the bottom of the skillet, then place the sausage/onion mixture into a large bowl.
• Add in the stuffing mixture packet along with the chopped cranberries, Parmesan cheese and eggs; mix until well combined.
• Season with lots of black pepper and a little salt.
• Cover and chill the mixture for about 2 hours.
• Using moistened hands form the mixture into small even balls and place the balls into a shallow greased casserole dish.
• If you find that the mixture is too moist and will not hold together well just add in a little dried bread crumbs, if it is too dry add in more broth or water, add in just enough to hold the balls together when shaped.
• Brush or drizzle the balls with melted butter.
• At this point you can cover the balls and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to bake later.
• Set oven to 350°F.
• Bake covered loosely with foil or bake uncovered (the balls with be more crispy on the outside if baked uncovered) for about 12-15 minutes (the baking time will vary slightly, it will depend on the size you shape the balls).