A classic party staple, this cranberry pecan cheese ball is dressed up in the most scrumptious covering of chopped chives, dried cranberries, and pecans. This is a simple make-ahead hors d’oeuvre that’s sure to satisfy a crowd! Prep work takes simply approximately 15 minutes.
There are numerous recipes out there for appetizer cheese balls, differing in tastes and ingredients, but this is my personal favorite version, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
This tasty shared cheese ball is like a magnet for snackers. I speak from experience; no one wants to leave the dish! I propose you position it on its own pedestal serving table, and leave plenty of area for people to gather around it. Because swarm they will, and fairly soon you’ll hear cries for more crackers. That’s true, this magic cheese ball has the potential to convert your party goers into seagulls. LOL.
Here’s Why Everyone Loves a Cheese Ball
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Easy, low-maintenance, crowd-pleasing appetizer
-
Delicious blend of tastes & textures
-
Make-ahead recipe; 15-minute prep
-
Simple serving presentation
-
Tastes wonderful with crackers & vegetables
-
Wonderful complement to a charcuterie board or snack spread
What Goes in a Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball?
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Cream Cheese: This is the basis of the cheese ball, so don’t scrimp here—reach for the full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, like we use for cheesecake. Give it some time to soften to room temperature before you start.
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Sharp White Cheddar: Buy the block, not the pre-shredded, cheese and grate it yourself for the finest taste and texture.
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Fresh Chives & Parsley: Finely chopped fresh herbs are the flavor superstars in this cheeseball.
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Brown Sugar: Just a small amount, a little sweet to offset the savory. Not many recipes call for this, but I swear by it since it goes nicely with the sharp cheddar and tangy cranberries.
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Garlic Powder, Salt, & Pepper: Mega flavor boosters!
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Chopped Dried Cranberries: A little chewy sweet-tartness to cover the creamy, herby cheeseball.
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Chopped Pecans: Pecans combine brilliantly with cranberries, and they offer so much amazing texture to the coating. If you wish to make a nut-free cheeseball, you may use chopped pretzels instead—see recipe Notes.
Here’s How to Make It
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Start by beating the room-temperature cream cheese until it’s lovely and creamy. A stand mixer works best to beat the cream cheese. You can use a handheld mixer, but be cautious that the mixture becomes quite heavy and thick.
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Beat in the remaining ingredients, keeping half of the chives, cranberries, and pecans for the coating.
-
Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the edges of the basin and shape the mixture into a ball. You may use your hands to aid shape; it’s only somewhat sticky.
-
Roll the ball in the coating, and then wrap it firmly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it, for at least 1 hour and up to 5 days.
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That’s it, you’re done.
-
I take the cheese ball out of the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before serving, so it softens up a bit.
Read Also: Preparing a Festive Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
What to Serve With a Cheese Ball
I enjoy serving this cranberry pecan cheese ball alongside a charcuterie platter. But all you actually need to go with it are some crackers or other food vehicles that can take a mouthful of cheese ball to your mouth.
The consistency is thicker than hummus or a dip such as garlic & bacon spinach dip or crab dip, so you want some solid dippers to complement your cheese ball. Here are some suggestions:
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Crackers
-
Crudités, like carrots and celery
-
Pita chips
-
Crostini or sliced baguette
-
Pretzel rods
-
Toasted pieces of cranberry nut no-knead bread
How long does this cheese ball keep?
The cheese ball tastes best within 5 days of creating it, although it may be kept for up to 10 days. (If it lasts that long!)
How do I prepare a cheese ball in advance?
You may form the cheese ball and wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it, and then roll it in the coating right before serving. We also tested this recipe by rolling in the coating before refrigerating, and it was fantastic this way, too. I find it simpler to coat it, wrap it, and chill it so it’s ready to serve. Refrigerate it, coated or not, for up to 5 days before serving.
How long can I keep the cheese ball at room temperature?
The cheese ball is fine maintained at room temperature for a few hours. After approximately 4 hours, I would refrigerate it.
Tove Svendson 
A classic party staple, this cranberry pecan cheese ball is dressed up in the most scrumptious covering of chopped chives, dried cranberries, and pecans. This is a simple make-ahead hors d’oeuvre that’s sure to satisfy a crowd! Prep work takes simply approximately 15 minutes.
There are numerous recipes out there for appetizer cheese balls, differing in tastes and ingredients, but this is my personal favorite version, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
This tasty shared cheese ball is like a magnet for snackers. I speak from experience; no one wants to leave the dish! I propose you position it on its own pedestal serving table, and leave plenty of area for people to gather around it. Because swarm they will, and fairly soon you’ll hear cries for more crackers. That’s true, this magic cheese ball has the potential to convert your party goers into seagulls. LOL.
Here’s Why Everyone Loves a Cheese Ball
Easy, low-maintenance, crowd-pleasing appetizer
Delicious blend of tastes & textures
Make-ahead recipe; 15-minute prep
Simple serving presentation
Tastes wonderful with crackers & vegetables
Wonderful complement to a charcuterie board or snack spread
What Goes in a Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball?
Cream Cheese: This is the basis of the cheese ball, so don’t scrimp here—reach for the full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, like we use for cheesecake. Give it some time to soften to room temperature before you start.
Sharp White Cheddar: Buy the block, not the pre-shredded, cheese and grate it yourself for the finest taste and texture.
Fresh Chives & Parsley: Finely chopped fresh herbs are the flavor superstars in this cheeseball.
Brown Sugar: Just a small amount, a little sweet to offset the savory. Not many recipes call for this, but I swear by it since it goes nicely with the sharp cheddar and tangy cranberries.
Garlic Powder, Salt, & Pepper: Mega flavor boosters!
Chopped Dried Cranberries: A little chewy sweet-tartness to cover the creamy, herby cheeseball.
Chopped Pecans: Pecans combine brilliantly with cranberries, and they offer so much amazing texture to the coating. If you wish to make a nut-free cheeseball, you may use chopped pretzels instead—see recipe Notes.
Here’s How to Make It
Start by beating the room-temperature cream cheese until it’s lovely and creamy. A stand mixer works best to beat the cream cheese. You can use a handheld mixer, but be cautious that the mixture becomes quite heavy and thick.
Beat in the remaining ingredients, keeping half of the chives, cranberries, and pecans for the coating.
Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the edges of the basin and shape the mixture into a ball. You may use your hands to aid shape; it’s only somewhat sticky.
Roll the ball in the coating, and then wrap it firmly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it, for at least 1 hour and up to 5 days.
That’s it, you’re done.
I take the cheese ball out of the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before serving, so it softens up a bit.
Read Also: Preparing a Festive Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
What to Serve With a Cheese Ball
I enjoy serving this cranberry pecan cheese ball alongside a charcuterie platter. But all you actually need to go with it are some crackers or other food vehicles that can take a mouthful of cheese ball to your mouth.
The consistency is thicker than hummus or a dip such as garlic & bacon spinach dip or crab dip, so you want some solid dippers to complement your cheese ball. Here are some suggestions:
Crackers
Crudités, like carrots and celery
Pita chips
Crostini or sliced baguette
Pretzel rods
Toasted pieces of cranberry nut no-knead bread
How long does this cheese ball keep?
The cheese ball tastes best within 5 days of creating it, although it may be kept for up to 10 days. (If it lasts that long!)
How do I prepare a cheese ball in advance?
You may form the cheese ball and wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it, and then roll it in the coating right before serving. We also tested this recipe by rolling in the coating before refrigerating, and it was fantastic this way, too. I find it simpler to coat it, wrap it, and chill it so it’s ready to serve. Refrigerate it, coated or not, for up to 5 days before serving.
How long can I keep the cheese ball at room temperature?
The cheese ball is fine maintained at room temperature for a few hours. After approximately 4 hours, I would refrigerate it.