Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball | The Recipe Critic

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This festive cranberry pecan cheese ball is an easy appetizer for the holiday season! Everyone will love this creamy cheese ball loaded with delicious texture from the dried cranberries and pecans. Serve this impressive appetizer with crackers and enjoy!

Reasons You’ll Love This Cheese Ball

Crowd-Pleasing: Your guests will go crazy over this cranberry pecan cheese ball! Such a festive and impressive appetizer for parties.
Perfect Holiday Appetizer: Taste the flavors of the holidays in this cheese ball! Try my Jalapeno Popper Dip or this Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip if you need more holiday appetizer ideas!
Make Ahead: Everyone loves a make-ahead option during the busy holiday season! This cheese ball is fast and easy to make in advance. Store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it!

Ingredients Needed

This cranberry pecan cheese ball uses 7 simple ingredients, it is packed full of flavor. The combination of cream cheese and white cheddar cheese is a delicious contrast to the sweetness of the dried cranberries. Finish it off with crunchy pecans then you have a winning Christmas appetizer!

Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is best!
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Seasons the cheese ball perfectly.
Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: If you’ve never had white cheddar cheese, it is incredible…especially in this recipe!
Green Onions: Fresh chopped green onions add flavor and a pop of color.
Dried Cranberries: Adds a sweet soft texture to the cheese ball!
Pecans: Rolling the cheese ball in crunchy pecans adds flavor and texture.

Ingredients labeled and pictured to make cranberry pecan cheese ball.

Let’s Make a Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball!

Whip up this easy appetizer in 10 minutes! It’s important to use softened cream cheese so your cheese ball mixes easily! This is a perfect recipe for making ahead of time and your guests will love this recipe!

Beat: Using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
Combine: Add the cheese, green onions, and ¾ cup dried cranberries to the cream cheese mixture.
Mix: Mix until incorporated well into the cream cheese mixture.
Shape and Refrigerate: Shape the mixture into a ball using plastic wrap to make it easy! Cover and chill refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 1 hour.
Roll in Pecans: Place the chopped pecans on a plate. Roll the cheese ball over the pecans and coat the outside of the cheese ball evenly.
Garnish and Serve: Add on the remaining ¼ cup dried cranberries and additional green onions to add color! Serve with crackers and enjoy!

First photo of the cream cheese and seasonings mixed together in a mixing bowl.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Tips

Here are a few tips for success when making this cranberry pecan cheese ball! These tips will help you achieve a show-stopping appetizer!

Forming Into a Ball: It’s easiest to transfer the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Pull the corners of the plastic wrap together and twist to easily form a ball. Roll your cheese ball on the counter to help form the shape. Then, finish shaping it with your hands.
Pecan Tips: You can roll the cheese ball in nuts ahead of time. If you want them to remain firm and crunchy, I recommend waiting to roll the ball in the pecans right before serving. Just place the nuts in a bowl and press all sides (except the bottom) of the cheese ball in the nuts.
Serving Tips: Place the cheese ball on a plate then gently press the ball onto the plate. Twist to secure it into place. This is so that the ball doesn’t roll as people are enjoying it. Place a variety of crackers around the ball and serve.
Season to Taste: Taste your cheese ball mixture before shaping. If you think it needs a bit of salt to enhance any flavors, feel free to sprinkle in a dash of salt. Stir, taste, and adjust to your liking!

Close view of the cranberry pecan cheese ball on a platter surrounded by crackers.

Storing Leftovers

Cheese balls make the best leftovers! The flavors meld together and taste even better the next day. They’re easy to store and stay tasting delicious for days.

In the Refrigerator: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving so the dried cranberries can slightly soften from refrigeration.
Make Ahead: Make and form the cheese ball then let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour or up to 3 days! Before serving, roll the cheese ball mixture into the pecans and dried cranberries.

Top close view of a knife spreading cheese ball on a cracker.

Sweet and Savory Cheese Balls to Try!

Did you know that cheese balls can be either savory or sweet? They are a perfect appetizer or a fun twist on a dessert. I can’t wait for you to try some of my favorites!

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Using an electric hand mixer, mix the cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
Add the shredded cheese, green onions, and ¾ cup dried cranberries to the cream cheese mixture.
Mix until incorporated well into the cream cheese mixture.
Shape the mixture into a ball using plastic wrap to make it easy! Cover and chill refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 1 hour.
Place the pecans on a plate. Roll the cheese ball over the pecans and coat the outside of the cheese ball evenly.
Add on the remaining ¼ cup dried cranberries and additional green onions to add color! Serve with crackers and enjoy!

Updated on December 01, 2024
Originally Posted on December 05, 2018

Calories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 144IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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