Festive Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball Recipe for Gatherings

Creamy cheese spreads spark joy at every gathering, and this cranberry pecan cream cheese ball recipe delivers pure party magic.

Packed with festive flavors, this appetizer blends tangy cream cheese with sweet dried cranberries and crunchy pecans.

Each bite promises a delightful texture that dances across your palate.

The combination of rich cream cheese and nutty pecans creates an irresistible starter that guests will devour.

Elegant yet simple, this appetizer comes together in minutes with minimal effort.

Perfectly balanced between creamy and crunchy, it transforms any table into a celebration of flavor.

Serve this crowd-pleasing cream cheese ball and watch your friends ask for the recipe.

Serving Tools For Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball

• Hand mixer: Essential for beating cream cheese to smooth, creamy perfection.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing all ingredients together.
• Cutting board: Ideal for chopping cranberries, pecans, and green onions.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise chopping of ingredients.
• Spatula: Great for scraping sides of bowl and ensuring everything is well mixed.
• Serving plate: Used for presenting the cream cheese ball.

How To Shape Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball

• Creamy Base

Mix softened cream cheese until silky smooth, creating a luxurious foundation for your cheese ball with gentle strokes of a hand mixer.

• Flavor Fusion

Sprinkle in sharp cheddar, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, zesty green onions, and a whisper of honey. Blend everything together until ingredients dance harmoniously throughout the mixture.

• Pecan Coating

Roll the entire mixture into a perfect sphere, then generously roll in additional chopped pecans, ensuring a delightful crunchy exterior that adds texture and visual appeal.

• Chilling Time

Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, allowing flavors to meld and the ball to firm up, creating a spectacular appetizer ready to impress.

• Serving Suggestion

Place the chilled cheese ball on a rustic wooden board surrounded by crisp crackers, delicate toast points, or fresh vegetable sticks, inviting guests to dive into this irresistible snack.

Flavor Boosters For Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the cream cheese ball for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and firm up the texture, making it easier to shape and spread.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cheese ball up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which lets the flavors develop and saves you time before entertaining.
• Holiday Cheese Ball Twist: Swap dried cranberries for fresh ones during winter months, or use chopped dried cherries for a different fruity burst that complements the creamy cheese base.
• Dietary-Friendly Options: For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and choose low-fat cheddar. Gluten-free guests can enjoy this by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free and serving with gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks.

Ways To Serve Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball During Holidays

• Festive Party Platter: Arrange the cream cheese ball on a decorative serving board surrounded by an assortment of crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, and pretzel crisps for elegant dipping.
• Holiday Appetizer Spread: Pair this creamy delight with additional chopped pecans sprinkled around the edges and fresh cranberries for a stunning centerpiece that guests will love diving into during seasonal gatherings.
• Gourmet Breakfast Companion: Spread the cream cheese mixture on warm, toasted bagels or English muffins for a delightful morning treat that combines sweet and savory flavors with a delicious crunch from the pecans.
• Make-Ahead Entertaining Tip: Prepare the cheese ball up to two days in advance, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, to save time and let the flavors meld together before your special event or casual get-together.

How To Keep Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball Fresh

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Refrigerate the cream cheese ball for at least 1 hour before serving to help flavors meld and enhance the texture.
• Advance Preparation Tip: Make this appetizer up to 3 days ahead and store tightly wrapped in plastic film in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Freezing Option: Wrap the cream cheese ball securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 4 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Serving Suggestions: Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes prior to serving to soften slightly, allowing easier spreading on crackers or bread.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball Ingredient Rundown

• Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, rich foundation that binds all ingredients together, select full-fat version for maximum richness and spreadability.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor and creates delightful texture, opt for sharp cheddar for more intense taste.

• Green Onions: Introduces fresh, mild onion bite that brightens the entire cheese ball, choose crisp, bright green stalks with no wilting.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers subtle, warm background note without overwhelming other ingredients, select high-quality, fresh powder for best flavor.
• Honey: Optional sweet element that balances savory components, use local raw honey for deeper flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that awakens and harmonizes all other ingredients, freshly ground black pepper recommended.

• Chopped Cranberries: Brings vibrant tartness and gorgeous ruby color, select plump, firm dried cranberries for best results.
• Chopped Pecans: Provides rich, buttery crunch and nutty undertones, toast pecans lightly before chopping to enhance their natural flavor.

Festive Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Ball Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy cranberry pecan cream cheese ball delights holiday gatherings with festive flavors. Crimson berries and crunchy pecans combine for an irresistible appetizer you’ll savor with crackers or crusty bread.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (50 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup (25 g) pecans, chopped (plus more for coating)
• ½ cup (50 g) pecans, chopped (for coating)
• ¼ cup (30 g) dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 2 tbsps green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tsp honey (optional, for sweetness)
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Crackers
• Vegetable sticks
• Baguette slices

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: In a spacious mixing bowl, whip cream cheese with an electric mixer until achieving a luxurious, smooth consistency.
2. Flavor Fusion: Gently fold shredded cheddar, chopped cranberries, minced green onions, and toasted pecans into the cream cheese base, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and creating a complex flavor profile.
3. Seasoning: Enhance the mixture with a drizzle of honey, then sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, blending thoroughly to marry all flavors into a harmonious spread.
4. Shaping: Utilize plastic wrap to carefully form the cheese mixture into a compact, rounded ball, ensuring a smooth exterior and seamless texture.
5. Chilling: Refrigerate the cheese ball for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to intensify and the mixture to solidify for optimal serving consistency.
6. Finishing Touch: Just before serving, optionally coat the exterior with additional chopped pecans to create a crunchy, visually appealing presentation that adds textural contrast.

Notes

• Cream Cheese Temperature: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending and easier mixing, preventing lumpy texture.
• Ingredient Precision: Chop cranberries and pecans finely to distribute evenly throughout the cheese ball, creating balanced flavor in every bite.
• Flavor Enhancing: Toast pecans beforehand to intensify their nutty essence and provide deeper, richer undertones to the overall dish.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the cheese ball a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and intensify, making it perfect for advance party preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg