Valdeón Cheese Ball | culture: the word on cheese

Ingredients

• 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
• 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