Jolly Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe: Holiday Party Star

Creamy cheese blends effortlessly with tangy cranberry pecan ingredients in this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Holiday gatherings sparkle with delightful flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft cream cheese forms the perfect canvas for nutty pecans and bright cranberry bits.

Each bite delivers a delectable combination of smooth and crunchy textures.

The recipe promises to be a showstopper at any seasonal celebration.

Serve this irresistible cheese ball with crisp crackers or fresh vegetables.

You’ll love how quickly it disappears from the party platter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 8

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Ingredient Rundown

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, smooth foundation that binds all ingredients together, select full-fat version for best texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor and helps create robust cheese profile, choose aged variety for deeper taste.

• Honey: Introduces subtle sweetness that balances savory elements, opt for local raw honey for complex flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers gentle, aromatic kick without overwhelming other ingredients, freshly ground offers more intense taste.
• Thyme: Brings earthy, herbal undertone that complements cheese and nuts, dried herbs work perfectly.

• Pecans: Delivers delightful nutty crunch and provides exterior coating, select fresh, crisp nuts without any rancid smell.
• Cranberries: Introduces bright, tart burst of color and flavor, dried cranberries work best for consistent texture.

What You’ll Need for a Perfect Cheese Ball

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining all cheese ball ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic Wrap: Essential for shaping and chilling the cheese mixture into a perfect ball.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping cranberries and pecans with precision.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for finely chopping ingredients and creating clean cuts.
• Plate: Used for spreading pecan coating and rolling the cheese ball.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure pecans, honey, and other ingredients.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for mixing cheese and ingredients thoroughly.
• Serving Platter: Provides an attractive base for presenting the finished cheese ball.

How to Shape the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

• Blend Creamy Goodness

Toss cream cheese, sharp cheddar, vibrant cranberries, and fragrant pecans into a mixing bowl. Drizzle in honey and sprinkle garlic powder and thyme for an extra flavor punch. Mix everything until it becomes a delightful, uniform mixture.

• Shape and Chill

Grab a piece of plastic wrap and scoop your cheesy creation onto it. Use the wrap to help you form a perfect round shape. Pop the ball into the refrigerator and let it hang out and firm up for about an hour.

• Create a Crunchy Coating

Spread the remaining pecans on a plate. Feel free to add some extra chopped cranberries for a burst of color and tang. This will be your flavor-packed exterior.

• Roll and Dress

Take your chilled cheese ball out of the fridge. Carefully roll it through the pecan mixture, gently pressing to make sure those delicious bits stick perfectly. You want every inch covered in nutty goodness.

• Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your masterpiece to a beautiful serving platter. Surround it with an array of crackers, fresh crisp vegetables, or sliced bread. Watch as your guests dive into this irresistible appetizer.

Cheese Ball Tips to Keep Things Interesting

• Bring the cheese ball to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor depth.
• Prepare the cheese ball up to 3 days in advance and store tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for convenient party planning.
• Use gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks for serving to accommodate guests with gluten sensitivities.
• Experiment with different fresh herbs like rosemary or sage instead of thyme to create unique flavor profiles that match seasonal moods.
• Substitute dairy cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese and use plant-based cheddar for a completely dairy-free version that still delivers rich, creamy texture.

Serve Up a Stunning Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

• Party Perfect Platter: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging crispy crackers, crunchy veggie sticks, and warm toasted baguette slices around the cheese ball for elegant dipping.
• Holiday Charcuterie Star: Transform your cheese ball into a centerpiece by placing it alongside other cheeses, cured meats, olives, and seasonal fruits for a stunning charcuterie board that wows guests.
• Elegant Wine Night Companion: Pair this cranberry pecan cheese ball with a crisp white wine or sparkling prosecco, making it an irresistible appetizer for sophisticated gatherings or intimate dinner parties.
• Festive Game Day Treat: Serve as a crowd-pleasing snack during sports events or movie nights, providing a gourmet twist to traditional game day munchies that everyone will love.

Save Leftovers of Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Right

• Store the cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its delicious flavors intact.
• Make this cheese ball 1-2 days before your event to let the flavors meld and develop a richer taste profile.
• Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly and become more spreadable for guests.
• Wrap the uncoated cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It can be stored frozen for up to 3 weeks – just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and roll in pecans before serving.

FAQs

• How do I know the cheese ball is well-mixed?

When all ingredients are evenly distributed and no single ingredient stands out, you’ve achieved a perfect mix. The texture should be smooth and uniform, with no large chunks of cheese or unincorporated ingredients.

• Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese ball up to 2-3 days in advance. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator and coat with pecans just before serving to maintain the crunch of the nuts.

• What if my cream cheese isn't soft enough?

Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing. This will make it easier to blend with other ingredients and create a smoother consistency.

• Is there a way to prevent the cheese ball from being too crumbly?

Ensure your cream cheese is at the right temperature and mix thoroughly. When shaping, use plastic wrap to help compress the mixture, which will help it hold together more effectively.

Festive Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Cranberry pecan cheese ball mingles festive flavors from classic holiday appetizers. Creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans blend perfectly for elegant party snacking. Guests will savor this irresistible starter.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup (30 g) pecans, chopped
• ½ cup pecans, chopped (for coating)
• ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
• Crackers, fresh vegetables, or bread slices (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for seamless blending and optimal texture.
2. Mixing: In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, cranberries, pecans, honey, garlic powder, and thyme until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and create a uniform mixture.
3. Shaping: Use plastic wrap to form the mixture into a compact, spherical shape, ensuring smooth edges and consistent density.
4. Chilling: Refrigerate the proto cheese ball for one hour to firm up and enhance flavor melding, allowing ingredients to harmonize.
5. Coating: Spread remaining pecans on a flat surface, optionally adding extra cranberry pieces for visual and textural complexity.
6. Finishing: Remove cheese ball from refrigeration, unwrap carefully, and roll gently in the pecan mixture, ensuring even coverage and complete adherence.
7. Presentation: Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving platter, artfully arranging crackers, vegetable crudités, or bread slices around the perimeter for an elegant display.
8. Serving: Present immediately or briefly store in a cool environment to maintain structural integrity and flavor profile until ready to enjoy.

Notes

• Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free blending without over-warming.
• Balance Flavor Intensity: Adjust garlic powder and thyme quantities based on personal taste preferences, starting with smaller amounts and gradually increasing.
• Perfect Coating Technique: Roll cheese ball gently but firmly in pecan mixture, rotating consistently to create an even, attractive exterior that fully covers the surface.
• Make Ahead and Store Wisely: Prepare cheese ball up to 2 days in advance, tightly wrapped in plastic, to allow flavors to meld and save preparation time before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 214
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 238 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg