If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, look no further than this cranberry pecan cheese ball!
It’s loaded with creamy cheese, tangy cranberries, and crunchy pecans, all coated in a flavorful mix of herbs and nuts.
This easy, make-ahead hors d’oeuvre will be the star of your next gathering. With only 15 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a delicious, shareable snack that’s sure to impress!
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Making a cheese ball for the first time can feel a little intimidating, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some tips to help you nail it!
Shaping your cheese ball is simple—just gently form it into a round shape with your hands and roll it in the herb and nut mixture.
Feel free to customize the flavors by swapping nuts, dried fruits, or adding a festive touch like chopped parsley or a drizzle of honey.
Julia's Tip: I love preparing this cheese ball ahead of time—just wrap it tightly and refrigerate it for a few hours (or even overnight!) so the flavors really have a chance to meld. That way, when you’re ready to serve it, you’ll look like a pro!
For more simple and delicious appetizer ideas, be sure to check out Spinach and Artichoke Dip or Crispy Baked Feta Rolls.
These are perfect companions to the cranberry pecan cheese ball and will make your holiday spread even more impressive!
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Cheese Ball Video
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Ball
💖 Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering, game day, or just a snack, this cheese ball is ready to shine. Pair it with charcuterie board or a cranberry almond tart for a festive touch.
💖 Easy & Low-Maintenance: A quick and simple prep that can be made ahead of time.
💖 Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a hit at parties and always gets rave reviews.
💖 Flavors & Textures: The perfect balance of creamy cheese, tangy cranberries, and crunchy pecans.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese - The base of this cheese ball. Be sure to use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- Sharp white cheddar - Shred it yourself for a smoother melt and fuller taste. Skip the pre-shredded cheese!
- Fresh green onions - These add a subtle, fresh onion flavor that balances the richness of the cheese.
- Brown sugar - Just a touch of sweetness to complement the savory flavors.
- Garlic powder, salt, & pepper - Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
- Dried cranberries - Sweet, tart, and chewy. Half goes into the mixture, and the rest is used for the coating.
- Pecans - Chopped pecans give the cheese ball a lovely crunch. You can use roasted or raw pecans, or even toasted ones for extra flavor.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Cranberry Cheese Ball
- Prepare the cheese base: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. Add in the shredded sharp cheddar, half of the chopped green onions, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, half of the dried cranberries, and half of the chopped pecans. Beat everything until it’s well combined.
- Shape the cheese ball: Use a silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and form the mixture into a ball. If it’s a bit sticky, you can grease your hands with a little butter or oil to make the shaping easier.
Julia's Tip: Grease your hands with a bit of butter or oil to make shaping easier!
- Make the coating: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining cranberries, pecans, and green onions. Spread this mixture out on a plate and roll the cheese ball in it until fully coated.
- Chill & serve: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or up to 5 days. When you’re ready to serve, let it sit out at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to soften a bit. Place the cheese ball on a platter surrounded by crackers or veggies for dipping.
Make-Ahead & Freezing
You can make this cheese ball up to 5 days in advance.
If you'd like to freeze it, wrap it in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
It will stay good in the freezer for up to 1 month. To thaw, just leave it wrapped and refrigerate. Once it’s thawed, continue with step 3.
Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Customize it - Feel free to swap the pecans for walnuts or leave out the nuts entirely for those with allergies. You can also add bacon bits, swap cranberries for dried cherries, or even add a spicy kick with jalapeños!
- Let the cream cheese soften - This makes mixing much easier and helps the ingredients come together more smoothly.
- Shred your own cheese - Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents, which can prevent the cheese from melting and blending smoothly.
- Add some heat - Want to spice things up? A pinch of cayenne pepper works wonders and adds a nice kick!
- Nut-free version: If you need a nut-free option, swap the pecans in the coating for chopped or crushed salted pretzels (just don’t mix any into the cheese ball itself). To avoid soggy pretzels, wait to coat the cheese ball until right before serving. Make the cheese ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, just unwrap it and roll it in the coating.
What to Serve With a Cheese Ball
A cheese ball like this one deserves some sturdy, delicious dippers.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Crostini or Baguette Slices
- Charcuterie Board
- Crackers
- Veggies
- Pretzel Rods
Mini Cranberry Cheese Balls: A Fun Twist
If you want to serve individual portions, you can easily make mini cranberry cheese balls!
Simply divide the mixture into 1-inch balls, roll them in the coating, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
These little bites are perfect for parties, and guests will love having their own mini cheese ball to dip.
Storing Leftover Cheese Ball
To store any leftover cheese ball, simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you have a lot leftover, you can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
Just make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and it’ll be just as delicious!
More Party Appetizers Recipes
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Recipe Card
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
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INGREDIENTS
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 +¾ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh green onions, divided
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped, divided
- ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped, divided
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the cheese base: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. Add in the shredded sharp cheddar, half of the chopped green onions, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, half of the dried cranberries, and half of the chopped pecans. Beat everything until it’s well combined.16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, 1 +¾ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh green onions, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¾ cup dried cranberries, ¾ cup pecans
- Shape the cheese ball: Use a silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and form the mixture into a ball. If it’s a bit sticky, you can grease your hands with a little butter or oil to make the shaping easier.
- Make the coating: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining cranberries, pecans, and green onions. Spread this mixture out on a plate and roll the cheese ball in it until fully coated.
- Chill & serve: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or up to 5 days. When you’re ready to serve, let it sit out at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to soften a bit. Place the cheese ball on a platter surrounded by crackers or veggies for dipping.
VIDEO
NOTES
- To store any leftover cheese ball, simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you have a lot leftover, you can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
- Just make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and it’ll be just as delicious!
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Making a Cheese Ball: FAQs
What can I substitute for the pecans?
You can use chopped walnuts, honey roasted peanuts, or even pretzels for a nut-free option.
Absolutely! You can make it up to 3 days ahead, just make sure to coat it right before serving.
This cranberry pecan cheese ball stays fresh for up to 10 days in the fridge, though it’s best within the first 5 days.
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