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Valdeón Cheese Ball

Add a bit of festive flair and elevate the bland cheese balls of past holiday get-togethers. Pair with candied Ritz Crackers for a fancy touch, and get ready for scores of compliments.
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Ingredients
  

CHEESE BALL

  • 4 ounces cream cheese 8 ounces Valdeón rind removed
  • 1 cup dried whole cranberries plus 2 tablespoons roughly chopped dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped chives
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped roasted and salted pistachios

CANDIED RITZ CRACKERS

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 6 ounces 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay

Instructions
 

CHEESE BALL

  • Add cream cheese and Valdeón to the bowl of a stand mixer and blend on low until creamy. Fold in whole cranberries and chives. Form mixture into a ball, then cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Roll the ball in chopped cranberries and pistachios. Refrigerate until needed.

CANDIED RITZ CRACKERS

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Melt butter and brown sugar in a medium skillet over medium heat until well combined.
  • Toss crackers in the brown sugar mixture in a large mixing bowl, then evenly spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Old Bay in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle mixture over the crackers and bake for 8 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Serve with Valdeón cheese ball.