Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball has the perfect sweet, salty, and savory taste that’s delicious over buttery crackers. It’s easy to make and a fun and festive appetizer to share at all your holiday gatherings.

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Why You’ll Love Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

One of my favorite all time things to enjoy is a charcuterie board. One filled with great cheese, dried fruit and spreads, crackers, and an assortment of nuts. You might be wondering how this ties in here. Well, this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is like all those fantastic charcuterie items wrapped up in a festive and fun edible snack. This recipe was an inspo from The Pioneer Women and it could not be any better in my opinion.

This appetizer is rich and totally addictive. The dried fruit and nuts balance out the salty and sharp cheese. Served with buttery crackers for the ultimate holiday snack everyone will love.

Ingredients For Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball:

• Cream cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Gorgonzola or blue cheese
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Green onions
• Dried cranberries
• Toasted pecans
• Salt and pepper
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Crackers or veggies sticks

Substitutions and Variations:

Cheese: Cheddar cheese is always a crowd pleaser but you can use other cheese like, sharp cheddar, pepper Jack for a spicy twist, or Colby Jack. This recipe only calls for 1/4 cup of blue cheese or gorgonzola which adds a rich flavor, but you can leave it out and add more cheddar or another cheese you like.

Onions: Green onions are very mild but if you don’t like onion at all or maybe you can’t have them, substitute with fresh flat leaf parsley.

Nuts: Maybe pecans are not your jam? Instead use toasted walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.

Step by Step How To Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball:

Step 1. In a food processor add softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion, dried cranberries, salt and pepper. Pulse until semi-smooth. You still want a little texture.

Step 2. In a shallow dish combine chopped dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and sliced onion.

Step 3. Scoop cheese mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and gather the corners together. Twist the ends and form into a ball.

Step 3. Unwrap the cheese ball, then spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Transfer the cheese ball to the cranberry and pecan mixture and gently coat all sides of the cheese, pressing the fruit and nuts into the ball.

Step 4. Once the cheese ball is evenly coated, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1-hour and up to 48-hours before serving . Allow to set at room temperature for 30-minutes before serving.

What To Serve With Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball:

Set cheese ball on a platter and arrange buttered crackers, toasted baguettes, and veggie sticks around the outside for an appealing appetizer.

Storing Cheese Ball:

Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and store for up to one week and enjoy whenever you get a craving for a cheesy delicious snack.

Other Appetizers You Might Enjoy:

• Cranberry Salsa
• Homemade French Onion Dip
• 3-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
• Cowboy Caviar

Let’s eat!

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball has the perfect sweet, salty, and savory taste that's delicious over buttery crackers. It's easy to make and a fun and festive appetizer to share at all your holiday gatherings.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Refrigerate 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snacks

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 261 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup blue cheese or gorgonzola optional (see recipe notes for other options)
• 2 green onions, sliced, whites and greens separated
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 dried cranberries, divided
• 3/4 cup toasted pecans chopped fine
• non-stick cooking spray
• plastic wrap

Instructions

 

• In a 4-cup or larger food processor add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, white onion parts, Worcestershire, seasonings, and 1/4 cup cranberries. Pulse a few times until well incorporated but still leaving some texture. You don't want it to be completely smooth.
• On a large plate or pie dish add pecans, chop remaining cranberries, and green onion parts. Mix together.
• Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and transfer the cheese mixture to the center of the wrap. Pull the corners of the plastic together making sure to seal off any openings. Form cheese into a ball as best you can. See post for step by step images.
• Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray, unwrap plastic, and carefully transfer ball to the plate with nuts and cranberries. Coat all sides of the cheese making sure to press some of the nuts and berries into the ball. Once the ball is completely covered, place in the refrigerator covered loosely with foil or another piece of plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1-hour and up to 2-days in advance.
• Allow cheese ball to set at room temperature for 30-minutes, then serve with your favorite crackers and veggie sticks.

Notes

Tips:

 

Substitutions and Variations-

Cheese: Cheddar cheese is always a crowd pleaser but you can use other cheese like, sharp cheddar, pepper Jack for a spicy twist, or Colby Jack. This recipe only call for 1/4 cup of blue cheese or gorgonzola which adds a rich flavor, but you can leave it out and add more cheddar or another cheese you like.

Onions: Green onions are very mild but if you don’t like onion at all or maybe you can’t have them, substitute with fresh flat leaf parsley.

Nuts: Maybe pecans are not your jam? Instead use toasted walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.

Storing Cheese Ball-

Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and store for up to one week and enjoy whenever you get a craving for a cheesy delicious snack.

 

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	261
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22.5g	29%
Saturated Fat 13.2g	66%
Cholesterol 64mg	21%
Sodium 326mg	14%
Total Carbohydrate 5.2g	2%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g	2%
Total Sugars 3.5g
Protein 10.4g
Vitamin D 3mcg	17%
Calcium 253mg	19%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 94mg	2%

Keyword blue cheese, Cheese and crackers, Cheese ball, Cheese dip, Cream cheese, Dried cranberries, Holiday appetizer, Pecans, Sharp cheddar cheese

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