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Pomegranate, Goat Cheese and Honey Cheese Ball

This slightly sweet cheese ball is perfect for serving with cookies! Ginger, shortbread or sliced raising bread work well with this appetizer. 

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword appetizer, Cheese, Cheese ball, holiday recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
refrigerate 2 hours
Servings 16
Author abountifulkitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 pomegranates or a 8 oz cup of pomegranate seeds divided
  • 8 oz cream cheese- room temperature
  • 4 oz goat cheese- room temperature 4 oz cream cheese may be substituted
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1-2 tablespoons chopped scallions white part of green onions
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • dash salt
  • chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Drain the pomegranate on paper towels and lightly pat dry. Let sit on paper towel while preparing cheese ball.
  2. Whip cream cheese and goat cheese together for two minutes in a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle.
  3. Add mayonnaise, honey, chopped scallions, lime juice, cinnamon and salt.

  4. Fold in 1/2 cup pomegranate- save the rest for garnish.
  5. Scoop into small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, Remove from fridge. Using food handler's gloves or very clean hands, form into a ball shape. 

  6. Place on plate, garnish with remaining pomagranite seeds and chopped cilantro if desired. 

Recipe Notes

  • Optional: Roll finished and chilled cheeseball in a mixture of 2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup of granulated sugar mixed in a bowl,  just before serving. Roll several times so the entire ball is coated well. Garnish with remaining pomegranate seeds and serve with Biscoff cookies, or ginger snaps, or other small thin cookie. I only recommend this if serving this cheese ball on the same day it is made. 
  • If making ahead, make the cheese ball as directed. Wait to garnish the cheese ball until just before serving with pomegranates and chopped cilantro or parsley. Do not make this cheese ball more than one day before serving. If you would like to make this a day or two before serving, omit the fresh pomegranates inside of the cheese ball and substitute dried sweetened  Craisins. The pomegranate tends to make the cheese ball too wet if left for more than a few hours. if using Craisins, add honey to taste. 
  • I like to have food handler's gloves on hand to shape the finished product if possible. If you don't have or don't want to purchase FH gloves,  just wash hands thoroughly before shaping!