This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is the easiest crowd-pleasing appetizer to share with your family and friends this holiday season.
Cheese Balls are always the hit of the party! You will also love this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball, Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball, or even this Pineapple Cheese Ball!
Hello again! Melanie here from Garnish & Glaze bringing you a super easy appetizer- Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. If you are a fan of cream cheese appetizer dips like Jalapeno Popper Dip and Crab Rangoon Dip then you are going to love this cheese ball. Grab a box of crackers and five simple ingredients (cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, green onions, and pecans) and you’re good to go!
Don’t be fooled. Just because this cheese ball is easy to throw together and requires only 5 ingredients, it is packed full of flavor. The sharp white cheddar cheese combined with the green onions gives it a strong flavor punch that is deliciously contrasted by the sweetness of the dried cranberries and finished off with the crunchy nuttiness of the pecans. After you take your first bite you won’t be able to stop going back in for more! I’m not gonna lie, I almost always eat 2 servings.
How to make a Cheese Ball
The first step is to start with some softened cream cheese and mix it with sharp white cheddar cheese. Mix in your finely chopped cranberries and green onions until evenly combined.
Next, you need to shape the cheese into a ball. The best way to do this is to place the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and wrap it all up. Give it a few rolls on the counter, pressing and forming it into a ball and then let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour but up to 3 days. Honestly, I prefer making it at least a day ahead. This allows the flavors of the onion and cranberry to really merry with the cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about how yummy it is!
- Beat: Using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
- Add: 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 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!
You can roll the cheese ball in nuts well ahead of time but if you want them to remain firm and crunchy, I recommend waiting to roll the ball in the pecans. Just place the nuts in a bowl and press all sides (except the bottom) of the cheese ball in the nuts. Place the ball of cheese on a plate, gently pressing the ball down with a little twist so that it will stay on the plate and not slip away while people are digging away at it. Place a variety of crackers around the ball and serve.
Sweet and Savory Cheese Balls to Try!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped and divided
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Using an electric hand mixer, mix the cream cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.
- Add the 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!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, Alyssa. This cheese ball tastes AMAZING! The flavors are perfect together!
I made it yesterday and 3 of us polished off 1/2 before dinner.
I have some questions before I make the next one:
Mine was VERY VEY firm, and crumbled when the knife was used, instead of being creamy….what did I do wrong?
Second, I could not for the life of me get the nuts to stick to the outside. when I pulled it out of the fridge, it was extremely firm….did I miss a liquid or semi-liquid ingredient? I’m making this again in a few days so your help is greatly appreciated.
I add about 2 Tbsp mayonaisse to the mixture, and like to roll mine in finely chopped smokehouse almonds. This gives it a really nice flavor and the nuts don’t go soggy. Since my husband doesn’t like green onions I substitute onion salt.
Yum! I loved how festive this looked with the green scallions and red dried cranberries. This was a lovely addition to our holiday appetizers and definitely a crowd-pleaser! Thank you for the tasty and easy idea! 5 stars for sure 🙂
Cream Cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans is one of the best trios out there. Your dinner party will go wild with this one! Thanks for sharing your recipe.