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Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Appetizer
Easy cranberry pecan cheese ball recipe, creamy cheese blended with dried cranberries and crunchy pecans, perfect make-ahead holiday appetizer.
The Holiday Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Pecans is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines a creamy dairy base—usually cream cheese blended with sharp cheddar—with the contrasting sweetness of dried cranberries and the buttery crunch of toasted pecans. Seasoned with ingredients such as green onions, garlic powder, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce, the mixture is shaped into a compact sphere, then coated in additional chopped pecans and cranberries for both texture and visual appeal. Served chilled with assorted crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetable sticks, this cheese ball is especially popular at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s gatherings, where its make-ahead convenience and festive flavor profile make it a practical centerpiece for holiday snack spreads.
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Appetizer
Leftovers won’t go to waste: smear any remaining spread onto bagels the next day or whisk it into a quick pasta sauce. The base doubles as a blank canvas for twists—fold in jalapeños for heat, swap cheddar for blue cheese, or roll the mixture into mini balls for single-serve snack boards.
Prep Time
45 minutes
45 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
5 minutes
Total Time
120 minutes
120 minutes
Ingredients
Softened cream cheese 16 oz
- Freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 2 cups
- Dried cranberries, roughly chopped 1 cup (plus a few extra tablespoons for coating)
- Toasted pecans, finely chopped 1 cup (plus a few extra tablespoons for coating)
- Thinly sliced green onions 2 Tbsp (about 2 whole green onions)
- Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp
- Garlic powder ½ tsp
- Kosher salt ¼ tsp
- Freshly ground black pepper ⅛ tsp
- Optional chopped fresh parsley 2 Tbsp
- Optional pinch of cayenne or crushed red-pepper flakes ⅛ tsp
- Suggested for serving: assorted crackers or apple slices as needed
Method
Bring cream cheese to room temperature
- Chop dried cranberries into small pieces
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet until fragrant, then let them cool
- Chop the cooled pecans finely
- Set aside a portion of the chopped cranberries and pecans for coating
- Beat the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth
- Stir shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cream cheese until blended
- Fold in remaining chopped cranberries, chopped pecans, sliced green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on the counter
- Scoop the cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap
- Gather the plastic wrap around the mixture and shape it into a tight ball
- Twist the plastic wrap securely to seal the cheese ball
- Refrigerate the wrapped cheese ball until firm, about one hour
- Spread the reserved cranberries and pecans on a plate
- Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the cranberry-pecan mixture to coat completely
- Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving plate
- Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving
- Serve the cranberry pecan cheese ball with crackers, pretzels, or sliced vegetables
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
3950 kcal Protein
102 g Fat
327 g Carbs
171 g Fiber
26 g Sugar
140 g
3950 kcal Protein
102 g Fat
327 g Carbs
171 g Fiber
26 g Sugar
140 g
Notes
Let the cheeses come to room temperature for 20 minutes so they blend smoothly without lumps. Toast pecans until fragrant and cool completely before folding them in—warm nuts will melt the cheese and make the exterior greasy. Traveling? Shape and chill the ball in plastic wrap, then roll in the cranberry-pecan coating right before serving for maximum crunch.
why this recipe
Bursting with festive color and flavor, this cranberry pecan cheese ball marries the tangy creaminess of seasoned cheeses with jewel-like dried cranberries and the warm, buttery crunch of toasted pecans, creating a show-stopping centerpiece that’s as effortless to assemble as it is irresistible to eat. The sweet-savory balance, textural contrast, and make-ahead ease mean you can impress guests with minimal last-minute work, while the harmonious blend of holiday aromas and flavors keeps everyone reaching for one more cracker-topped bite.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I prepare the cranberry pecan cheese ball, and how long will it stay fresh in the refrigerator?
Mix and shape the cheese ball up to 5 days in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic, and refrigerate it; roll it in the cranberry-pecan coating just before serving for best crunch. Properly wrapped leftovers (whether coated or not) will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3–4 more days, so figure on a total shelf life of roughly one week.
Can I freeze the cranberry pecan cheese ball, and how should I thaw it before serving?
Yes, you can freeze the cheese ball for up to 2 months, but do so before rolling it in the cranberry-pecan coating: wrap the shaped ball tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of foil or a zip-top freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, unwrap, blot any surface moisture, let it stand 15–20 minutes to soften slightly, then roll in fresh cranberries and pecans just before serving for the best texture and crunch.
How can I make this cheese ball nut-free for guests with allergies?
Skip the pecans and instead roll the cheese ball in a crunchy, nut-free coating such as toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, crushed pretzels, or finely diced crispy bacon. Keep the cranberries as written, or swap them for dried apricots or chopped dates if you’d like a different sweet note.