This Easy Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is a festive, creamy appetizer with a perfect balance of tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans. Ready in minutes, it’s an eye-catching, crowd-pleasing snack for any holiday gathering.
This Easy Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is the ultimate holiday appetizer that’s as tasty as it is beautiful.
Creamy, tangy cream cheese mixes with sweet dried cranberries and a crunchy pecan coating, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
It comes together in minutes, making it ideal for last-minute entertaining, holiday parties, or any gathering where you want a show-stopping, crowd-pleasing snack.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes with minimal prep.
- Festive Flavors: Sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans make it holiday-perfect.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Creamy, tangy, and irresistible for any gathering.
- Versatile: Serve with crackers, bread, or veggies—everyone will dig in.
- Eye-Catching: Looks gorgeous on the appetizer table with zero stress.
Ingredients Needed
- Cream cheese: Soft, creamy cheese at room temperature for easy mixing
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar shredded for flavor and melty texture
- Cranberries: Fresh or dried cranberries, diced for tart sweetness
- Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted optional for crunch
- Herbs: Fresh chives or parsley, finely diced for freshness
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory garlic flavor boost
How To Make Easy Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Step One: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and diced cranberries. Mix until evenly blended. Gently fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts, garlic powder, and fresh parsley or chives.
Step Two: Place the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball using your hands. Refrigerate the cheese ball until ready to serve. Just before serving, roll the cheese ball in additional chopped pecans, walnuts, or fresh herbs if desired. Transfer to a serving plate, slice or scoop with crackers, and enjoy!
Easy Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe Tips
- Soften the cream cheese fully before mixing for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Toast the nuts lightly to enhance flavor and add extra crunch.
- Chill before serving to help the cheese ball hold its shape.
- Mix gently when folding in nuts and cranberries to avoid breaking them.
- Customize toppings with extra herbs, nuts, or even a drizzle of honey for a festive touch.
Storing & Make Ahead Instructions
- Storing Instructions: Keep the cheese ball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: You can prepare the cheese ball a day or two in advance to save time. Keep it chilled until ready to serve for best texture and flavor.
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe Faqs
Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare it 1–2 days in advance and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator until serving.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? You can, but fresh cranberries are more tart and may make the cheese ball slightly wetter. Diced dried cranberries are preferred for the classic texture.
Can I substitute the nuts? Absolutely! Pecans or walnuts work best, but almonds or cashews can be used if preferred. Toasting them enhances the flavor.
How long does the cheese ball last? Stored properly in an airtight container, it will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Can I make it dairy-free or vegan? You can substitute dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar-style shreds, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
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Easy Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cranberries, diced
- 1 cup nuts, pecans or walnuts, chopped (toasted optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh chives or parsley, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and diced 1 cup cranberries. Mix until evenly blended.
- Gently fold in the chopped 1 cup nuts, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 cup fresh chives or parsley, diced.
- Place the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball using your hands.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, roll the cheese ball in additional chopped pecans, walnuts, or fresh herbs if desired.
- Transfer to a serving plate, slice or scoop with crackers, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
Nutrition
Share this recipe
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Jeanie
I made these for a neighborhood Friendsgiving party. I made no changes except I made them like the photo—small balls with a pretzel for picking them up. So much easier than trying to scoop from a big cheeseball, crackers breaking, etc. They were a hit! I had 4 requests for the recipe. Delicious and not hard to make. (Hint…I made the cheeseballs yesterday and refrigerated them, planning to add the pretzels today before the party. I was afraid if I put the pretzels in ahead of time, they would be soggy. I had to let the cheeseballs warm up today before I could insert the pretzel without the cheeseballs breaking up.)
Laurie
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your friendsgiving party!