This recipe is so simple and full of flavor. Honestly, is there anything better than the cherry amaretto duo?

The recipe I am sharing with you is for a single 8 oz Cream Cheese, which serves 4 easily.  Please just double or triple the recipe as needed for your party size.

Ingredients:

1 8oz Cream Cheese, softened and at room temperature
1 cup Amaretto
1/2 cup Cherry De-Lite dried cherries
2 tbsp Cherry De-Lite Syrup
1 cup finely chopped unsalted pecans

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat the Amaretto and Cherry De-Lite cherries, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 30 minutes.  When the cherries are plump, and the Amaretto has thickened to a deeper red, they are done.  Remove and allow to cool slightly, just until they are easy to work with and will not burn you.
2. In a small mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, Cherry De-Lite syrup, and begin mixing. 
3. Using a straining spoon, put the slightly cooled, rehydrated Amaretto cherries and chop them into quarterly pieces.
4. Add the cherry pieces to the cream cheese mixture.
5. Add 1/2 tablespoon of the Amaretto sauce to the cream cheese.  The warm cherries and Amaretto sauce will quickly soften the cream cheese, making it very easy to finish mixing them all.
6. When the cheese ball is thoroughly mixed, form it into a ball and place on a platter.  Using a spatula or butter knife, smooth the sides of the cheese ball.
7. Sprinkle and pat the cheese ball with the finely chopped pecans.
8. Place the cheeseball into the refrigerator for at least an hour or until it is firm.  
9. Serve with crackers and pretzels.