Cranberry Cheese Ball
Elevate your holiday snack game with this simple and festive Cranberry Cheese Ball. It’s an easy make-ahead appetizer with only 6 ingredients, making it an excellent choice for entertaining!
Cranberry Cheese Ball is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holiday parties, family get-togethers, or any special occasion. I’ve brought this to holiday potlucks for the last 15 years and every time I leave with an empty plate. There’s only 6 easy ingredients and takes 15 minutes to whip up!
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Combining creamy, tangy cheese with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and bright orange zest, this cheese ball is the perfect balance of everything. Just roll it up and refrigerate until ready to serve. When your guests arrive, simply set it out, roll it in a crunchy pecan mixture, and serve with your favorite dippers
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or a work potluck, this cranberry pecan cheese ball will add the perfect touch of elegance and sweetness. Be sure to check out our viral Chipped Beef Cheese Ball too!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Festive Showstopper Appetizer: Bright red dried cranberries make it perfect for holiday parties. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleasing appetizer!
- Easy to Make: Simply mix, form into a ball or log, and refrigerate to set. All that’s left is rolling in the toppings before serving!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare this cranberry pecan cheese ball the day before and keep chilled until serving.
- Versatile Dippers: Pairs beautifully with holiday crackers, toasted bread, or fresh fruit.
Laura Ashley’s Tip: I always prep this appetizer in advance before entertaining a holiday crowd. Make the base mixture, roll it up in plastic wrap, and place in the fridge. About 20 minutes before guests arrive, set it out to soften a bit, then roll in the cranberry and pecan mixture when you’re ready to serve.
Ingredients
Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card
- Dried Cranberries: Add a tart sweetness and vibrant color.
- Diced Pecans: Provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Toast pecans to bring out a richer, nutty note.
- Minced Chives: Offer a mild onion flavor, freshness and pop of color. Green onions can work as well.
- Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth, creamy base that binds all ingredients together and forms the structure of the cheese ball.
- White Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, savory flavor.
- Orange Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy flavor that balances the sweetness of cranberries and richness of the cheese.
- Dipper: Our favorite vehicle to spread this cranberry nut cheese ball on is graham crackers. It’s also great with savory crackers or apple slices.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Cranberry Cheese Ball
- To a small bowl, combine cranberries, pecans and chives.
- To a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, and orange zest. Blend with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add half of the cranberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Blend again until the ingredients are dispersed evenly.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Roll in a ball or shape into a log. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, allow the cheeseball to set on the counter for 15 minutes. Pour the remaining cranberry-pecan mixture on a flat surface. Roll the cheese ball or cheese log in the mixture, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
- Serve the cheese ball or cheese log on a serving platter with graham crackers or salted crackers.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Cheese Variations. Swap white cheddar with sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor. Goat cheese, gorgonzola or blue cheese are other excellent alternatives.
- Nut Options. Use chopped walnuts, almonds, or pistachios if you prefer a different nutty crunch.
- Add-ins. Incorporate dried apricots, chopped fresh herbs like parsley, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Serving Ideas. Serve with a variety of sweet and savory crackers, a sliced toasted baguette, apple slices, or celery sticks.
- Topping Alternative. Instead of rolling in the pecan mixture, you could instead press the cheeseball into a flatter log or disc and pour Spicy Cranberry Salsa on top.
Serving and storage
Cranberry cheese ball with pecans is best enjoyed within a day or two of making it for optimal freshness and flavor. You’ll want it to set at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling in the crunchy pecan exterior mixture.
Keep any leftovers covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If the outside gets a bit soft, re-roll in fresh chopped pecans just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Make the cheese ball a day in advance, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Just set at room temperature for 15 minutes then roll in the pecan mixture before serving.
Absolutely! Diced almonds, walnuts, or pistachios work well for a varied crunch and flavor.
Yes! Chopped dried apricots or cherries can add different sweet and tart notes.
More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
Cranberry Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried cranberries finely diced
- 1 cup diced pecans
- 1/4 cup minced chives
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 ounces shredded white cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
Instructions
- To a small bowl, combine cranberries, pecans and chives.
- To a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, and orange zest. Blend with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add half of the cranberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Blend again until the ingredients are dispersed evenly.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to plastic wrap. Roll in a ball or shape into a log. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, pour the remaining cranberry mixture on a cutting board. Roll the cheese ball or cheese log in the mixture, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
- Serve the cheese ball or cheese log with graham crackers or salted crackers.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Cheese Variations. Swap white cheddar with sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor. Goat cheese, gorgonzola or blue cheese are other excellent alternatives.
- Nut Options. Use chopped walnuts, almonds, or pistachios if you prefer a different nutty crunch.
- Add-ins. Incorporate dried apricots, chopped fresh herbs like parsley, or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Serving Ideas. Serve with a variety of sweet and savory crackers, a sliced toasted baguette, apple slices, or celery sticks.
- Topping Alternative. Instead of rolling in the pecan mixture, you could instead press the cheeseball into a flatter log or disc and pour Spicy Cranberry Salsa on top.
Serving and storage
Cranberry cheese ball is best enjoyed within a day or two of making it for optimal freshness and flavor. You’ll want it to set at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling in the crunchy pecan exterior mixture. Keep any leftovers covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If the outside gets a bit soft, re-roll in fresh chopped pecans just before serving.Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
this sounds lovely
Aww!🥹You’re so sweet! Thank you SO much!!!🥰
I am forever amazed, at all the wonderful food you make and yet, you have a fantastic figure!
How do you not indulge yourself with the delicious food and just go crazy? 🤗
I’m not sure that you have ever presented a recipe, that l didn’t want to, run right out to the store and buy all the ingredients so l can make it immediately!
That is so incredibly kind of you—thank you! I absolutely indulge, just with balance and moderation. And hearing that my recipes make you want to run to the store right away is the biggest compliment of all! Thank you so much for your sweet words and support. 🤗
Normally, I laugh at comments which “love” the recipe yet make so many changes. However, I live in a very rural area. I only go to the grocery store once every five weeks. Often, my pantry does not match an ingredient list. I gave this recipe a try with ingredients I had on hand: Dried cherries, almonds, Egyptian Walking Onion greens, cream cheese, Italian cheese blend and fresh orange zest. OMGoodness, it is soooooo good. I’ll try it again with your ingredients when I have them. THANK YOU!!!!
Awww!! I love that you put your spin on it and it sounds AMAZING!! You have me wanting to try it your way too 😉 Thank you SO much for giving it a try and loving it!!!🥰
I cannot have nuts so my question is what would be a good substitute?
Other varieties of nuts could work…or someone on Facebook said they would roll it in bacon 🙂
I am allergic to tree nuts, could I substitute with toasted peanuts instead?
Yes you can 🙂 I hope you love it too!
Delicious…the sweet tangy cranberries with the pecans and cream cheese, yummy!!
THANK YOU so much, Rita!! I’m SO happy you made it and liked the flavors so much!