Festive Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe for Gatherings

Crafting a delightful cranberry pecan cheese ball brings festive cheer to any gathering.

Smooth cream cheese blends seamlessly with tangy berries and crunchy nuts.

Appetizer lovers will adore this simple yet elegant dish.

Creamy textures mingle with sharp flavors that dance across your palate.

Seasonal ingredients combine to create a show-stopping starter that impresses guests.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of richness and zest.

Whip this up and watch everyone’s eyes light with anticipation.

Why Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Is Perfect for Parties

• Craft Festive Flavors: Elevate your appetizer game with a stunning blend of sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans that brings holiday cheer to any gathering.
• Master Simple Preparation: Create a gourmet-looking appetizer with minimal cooking skills, mixing ingredients in one bowl and shaping into an impressive cheese ball perfect for entertaining.
• Customize Your Crunch: Easily adjust the coating with extra nuts or dried fruits, making this recipe adaptable to personal taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this crowd-pleasing appetizer in advance, allowing flavors to meld and reducing stress during party planning or last-minute get-togethers.

Ingredients for Flavorful Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

• Cream Cheese: Soft cheese that provides a smooth and creamy foundation for the cheese ball.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds rich flavor and depth to the mixture.

• Dried Cranberries, Pecans: Sweet and crunchy ingredients that give texture and bursts of flavor to the cheese ball.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the savory cheese and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiment that enhances the overall umami flavor of the cheese ball.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic spices that provide a well-rounded and balanced seasoning to the cheese mixture.

• Additional Pecans, Dried Cranberries: Chopped ingredients that create a decorative and crunchy exterior for the cheese ball.

How to Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Easily

Step 1: Blend Flavor Powerhouses

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped cranberries, crushed pecans, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a sturdy spatula or electric mixer to blend ingredients until they create a smooth, well-integrated mixture.

Make sure no individual ingredient stands out separately.

Step 2: Shape Your Culinary Masterpiece

Gently mold the cheese mixture into a perfectly rounded ball using clean hands.

Carefully wrap the ball in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s completely covered. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and texture to firm up.

Step 3: Create A Crunchy Exterior

• Finely chopped pecans
• Diced cranberries

Spread the mixture on a clean surface or shallow dish, ready for coating.

Step 4: Add Decorative Crunch

Remove the chilled cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it.

Roll the ball through the pecan-cranberry mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even, beautiful coating that completely covers the surface.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer the cheese ball to a serving platter.

Accompany with an assortment of crackers, crisp vegetable sticks, or artisan bread. Refrigerate until ready to serve, keeping it cool and maintaining its perfect texture.

Tips for Creamy and Nutty Cheese Ball Every Time

• Chill the cheese ball for at least an hour to help it set and enhance flavor melding.
• Toast pecans lightly before chopping to boost their nutty, rich taste and add extra crunch.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and easier blending of ingredients.
• Swap dried cranberries with fresh ones for a more vibrant, tart flavor profile if preferred.
• Make ahead and store wrapped tightly in plastic for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop more intensely.

Variations to Personalize Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

• Goat Cheese Variation: Replace cream cheese and cheddar with tangy goat cheese, using dried cherries instead of cranberries for a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer.
• Vegan Cheese Ball: Swap dairy cheeses with cashew-based cream cheese, use maple syrup instead of honey, and add nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
• Herb-Infused Version: Incorporate fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and chives into the cheese mixture for an aromatic herb-packed cheese ball that elevates the original recipe.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace honey with hot sauce, and coat with crushed tortilla chips for a zesty, southwestern-style cheese ball appetizer.

What Pairs Best with Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc with bright acidity that complements the creamy cheese and cuts through its richness.
• Crack Open Complementary Crackers: Choose water crackers or whole wheat varieties that provide a neutral base, allowing the cheese ball's complex flavors to shine without competing.
• Create Perfect Appetizer Platter: Arrange sliced green apples, dried apricots, and mild salami around the cheese ball to enhance its sweet-savory profile and provide textural contrast.
• Toast with Sparkling Beverage: Grab a prosecco or sparkling apple cider to add festive bubbles that refresh the palate between bites of the rich, nutty cheese ball.

How to Store Cheese Ball for Freshness

Store the cheese ball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep it away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.

Wrap the cheese ball securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Cut the cheese ball into smaller sections if you prefer. Wrap each portion individually for easier storage and serving flexibility.

Let the refrigerated cheese ball sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor release.

FAQs

• Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cheese ball up to 2-3 days in advance. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator and add the pecan-cranberry coating just before serving.

• Is it possible to substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can swap dried cranberries for fresh ones, use different types of nuts like walnuts instead of pecans, or substitute sharp cheddar with another hard cheese that melts well.

• How do I know the cheese ball is properly mixed?

The mixture should look evenly combined with no large clumps of cream cheese and a consistent color and texture throughout. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well distributed.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy cheese melts with tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans in this irresistible Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. Perfect for holiday gatherings or casual entertaining, you’ll love its rich flavors and elegant presentation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Cheeses:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dried Fruits and Nuts:

• 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Coating:

• 1/2 cup additional chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup additional chopped dried cranberries

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Instructions

1. Combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, finely chopped cranberries, and crushed pecans in a spacious mixing bowl, blending thoroughly with honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
2. Gently mold the creamy mixture into a compact spherical shape, maintaining consistent density throughout.
3. Envelop the cheese formation tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain.
4. Refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes at 40°F, allowing flavors to meld and texture to solidify.
5. Meanwhile, prepare exterior coating by separately chopping additional pecans and cranberries into fine, uniform pieces.
6. Remove chilled cheese ball from refrigerator and carefully unwrap.
7. Roll the cheese sphere methodically through the prepared pecan-cranberry mixture, applying gentle pressure to create an even, adherent exterior coating.
8. Transfer to a decorative serving plate, surrounding with an assortment of crisp crackers for elegant presentation.
9. Serve chilled or store refrigerated until guests arrive, maintaining optimal flavor and consistency.

Notes

• Soften cream cheese at room temperature for smoother mixing and easier blending of ingredients.
• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cheese ball.
• Use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones for better texture and longer shelf life.
• Customize the cheese ball by swapping cheeses or adding herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra depth of flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 181 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 157 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1.2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 39 mg