This recipe is a family favorite! And a big hit at parties! Which works out well because it's super easy to make! A few ingredients whipped together make a sweet and creamy spread for crackers, coated in walnuts and festive cranberries. You can't go wrong!

Whether you're a host or a guest, this is a great app to add to your holiday party menu.
Happy New Year! Buon Anno! And I'll see you in the Cucina, in 2018!!

Cheese Ball
Serves 12-16

1 stick (8 Tbs.) butter, softened to room temperature
8 oz. mascarpone cheese OR American cream cheese, softened to room temperature
4 Tbs. honey
1 c. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. dried cranberries
wheat crackers, for serving

Tools:
Hand mixer
Waxed paper
Mixing bowl

In a large bowl, combine butter, cheese and honey. Beat until completely combined.

In a sperate bowl combine walnuts and dried cranberries.

Line a soup or cereal bowl with waxed paper, leaving plenty of overhang. Add some of the walnut mixture to the bottom of the bowl and up the sides as far as it'll go. Spoon in some of the cheese mixture.

Continue adding the walnut mixture around the edges and then filling in the cheese mixture until all of the cheese is in the bowl. Fold the edges of the waxed paper over to cover the cheese ball and set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, and up to 4 days in advance.

Before serving, unfold the edges of the waxed paper, place the center of your serving platter on top of the cheeseball and invert it onto the platter.

Remove the wax paper. Fill in any bare spots with leftover walnut mixture so the ball is completely covered. Spread crackers around cheese ball and serve.

Buon Anno!