It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a cheese ball, and with it’s sweet and tangy flavors and festive colors, this cranberry studded appetizer is perfect for any holiday gathering.
Cheese balls really are a perfect party appetizer for almost any occasion, and with it’s festive colors and delicious flavors, this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball will be the hit of any holiday gathering.
As far as I’m concerned, a cheeseball is a must have offering at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I like to put one out while I’m preparing my big holiday feast to encourage everyone to gather in the kitchen.
If you’re lucky, a good cheeseball might even attract a few extra helping hands to the kitchen. They’re perfect for tiding everyone over until the big meal is served, but won’t fill everyone up so much there won’t be room for dinner.
I also love cheeseballs during the holidays because they are so simple and easy to put together, and most can be made a few days in advance.
Just set out this cheeseball with a plate of your favorite crackers and be prepared for everyone to gather around. Which is really what the holidays are all about.
Although this recipe features just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s absolutely packed with flavor. I especially love the sweet and tangy cranberries! They’re the perfect addition to the lightly seasoned cream cheese.
If you don’t have the exact ingredients listed in the recipe, feel free to improvise a bit. Any kind of white cheese will work beautifully–like Monterrey jack or mozzarella.
Chopped almonds or walnuts work in place of pecans, and you can use chives and other herbs in place of the green onion. The one thing I wouldn’t leave out or change is the dried cranberries.
They’re what makes this cheese ball so unique, festive and delicious! In fact, we love this recipe almost as much as our family favorite Green Onion Cheeseball.
Served as the centerpiece of a beautiful charcuterie board, or on it’s own with a selection of crisp crackers or baguette slices, this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is sure to be a hit at all of your holiday gatherings.
Be sure to save this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Cream cheese
- White cheddar cheese
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
- Produce: green onions, fresh parsley
- Onion powder
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup dried cranberries chopped and divided
- 1 cup pecans toasted, chopped and divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, white cheddar, 1/2 cup of the cranberries, 1/2 cup of the pecans, green onions and onion salt. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap completely as you form the mixture into a ball. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, toss together the remaining cranberries and pecans, along with the fresh parsley in a shallow dish. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll in the cranberry/pecan mixture to coat.
- Serve at room temperature with crackers, bread, pretzels or vegetables.
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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Gimme Delicious
