Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls
Description
Stuffed with dried cranberries, cheese, and sweet and spicy flavor, these Italian sausage balls are the perfect finger food for a party or potluck.
Ingredients
•
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
•
4 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, grated
•
1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
•
6 ounces dried cranberries, finely chopped
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2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1 1/2 cups buttermilk baking mix
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1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2
Combine cream cheese and Cheddar cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until blended, about 1 minute. Add sausage in golf ball-size pieces while mixer is running and continue to mix until combined with the cheeses, about 1 minute. Add cranberries, 2 tablespoons parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes; continue to mix until well blended, about 2 minutes.
3
Stop the mixer and stir in baking mix with a wooden spoon until it is distributed throughout.
4
Form 27 golf ball-size sausage balls with your hands or a meatball scoop. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
5
Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned and no longer pink in the centers, about 30 minutes. Drain on paper towels if necessary. Serve warm garnished with remaining parsley.