Festive holiday appetizer in 15 minutes prep
A creamy cheddar–cranberry cheese ball rolled in toasted pecans that sets up quickly in the fridge and looks gorgeous on every Thanksgiving or holiday board.
Why you’ll love it
- Holiday-ready flavors that hit Thanksgiving and Christmas cravings
- 15 minutes of hands-on time and make-ahead friendly for stress-free hosting
- Creamy, sliceable center with sweet-tart cranberry pops and crunchy pecan coating
- Budget appetizer that feeds a crowd and pairs with crackers, veggies, and fruit
- Easy base recipe with swaps for brie bites or turkey-shaped presentation
Ingredients (notes only)
- Cream cheese: full-fat for best structure and creamy texture
- Sharp cheddar: freshly grated for better melt and flavor
- Dried cranberries: chop finely for even distribution
- Pecans: toast and cool for bold, buttery crunch; reserve some for coating
- Dijon + Worcestershire: savory backbone that balances sweetness
- Garlic powder + black pepper + pinch of salt: simple seasoning that wakes everything up
- Orange zest or fresh rosemary (optional): bright finish, use lightly
- Crackers, celery sticks, apple slices: for serving
Full measurements in the recipe card.
Step-by-step
- Toast nuts
Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant. Cool completely. - Mix base
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in cheddar, chopped cranberries, half the pecans, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic powder, pepper, and a small pinch of salt. - Shape
Scrape mixture onto plastic wrap. Use wrap to form a tight ball. - Coat
Combine remaining chopped pecans with a tablespoon of cranberries. Roll the cheese ball in the mixture to coat all sides. - Chill
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to firm. For best slicing, chill 2 hours or overnight. - Serve
Place on a board with crackers and crisp veggies. Add a drizzle of honey if you like a sweet finish.
Pro tips
- Finely chop cranberries and pecans so the ball coats evenly and slices clean.
- Softening cream cheese fully prevents lumps and makes shaping easy.
- If serving outdoors or on a warm buffet, keep the ball chilled and bring out just before guests arrive.
- For ultra-smooth texture, pulse ingredients briefly in a food processor, then fold in mix-ins by hand.
- Make two smaller balls for faster chilling and easier portion control at parties.
Variations
- Cranberry Brie Bites: Swap cheddar for 6 oz brie (rind removed) plus 1 cup cheddar. Form mini 1½-inch balls and coat in pecans.
- Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball with Herbs: Add 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary.
- Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball: Form the ball, then press pretzel sticks and assorted crackers as “feathers.” Use a small triangle of cheddar for a beak.
- Nut-free: Use crushed pretzels or pumpkin seeds for coating.
- Low-carb: Serve with cucumber rounds, celery, and pepper strips.
How to serve
Arrange with buttery crackers, seeded crisps, celery, endive, sliced apples or pears. A drizzle of honey and a few extra cranberries on the board make it photo-ready.
Make ahead & storage
- Make ahead: Mix and shape up to 2 days before serving. Keep wrapped and uncoated, then roll in coating just before serving for best crunch.
- Refrigerate: 4 to 5 days, tightly wrapped.
- Freeze: Up to 1 month, uncoated. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then coat.
- Food safety: Keep below 40°F until serving. Limit counter time to under 2 hours.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but the ball will be softer. Chill longer and consider adding 2 to 3 tbsp finely crushed pretzels to help it set.
How do I keep the coating from falling off?
Pat the surface dry with a paper towel before rolling, press coating firmly, and re-roll after 10 minutes of chilling.
What crackers pair best?
Buttery rounds, wheat crackers, seeded crisps, or rosemary flatbreads all work well. Offer at least two textures.
Can I make it spicy?
Add ¼ tsp red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the mix.
Simple Nutrition (estimate, per 1/12 ball)
Calories: 180 • Protein: 5 g • Carbs: 5 g • Sugar: 3 g • Fat: 16 g • Saturated Fat: 7 g • Fiber: 1 g • Sodium: 210 mg
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
A creamy, savory-sweet appetizer perfect for holidays. This cheddar and cranberry cheese ball is rolled in toasted pecans for the ultimate party bite. Make ahead and chill for easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes until fragrant. Cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Mix in cheddar, ½ cup cranberries, ½ cup pecans, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and optional zest or rosemary.
- Transfer mixture to plastic wrap. Shape into a tight ball and chill 15 minutes.
- Combine remaining cranberries with remaining pecans. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll in the mixture to coat all sides.
- Chill 30 to 120 minutes until firm. Serve with crackers and vegetables.
Nutrition
Notes
Subs: Pecans can be replaced with walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or crushed pretzels. Use soy sauce or tamari instead of Worcestershire for a different flavor.
Diet Notes: Gluten-free if served with GF crackers. Vegetarian-friendly.
Equipment: Mixing bowl, hand mixer or sturdy spatula, plastic wrap, skillet for toasting nuts.
Alternate Method: Use a food processor to pulse all ingredients for 10–15 seconds, then fold in half of the mix-ins by hand for texture.
Presentation Ideas: Form into a turkey shape with pretzel sticks for feathers, or create mini cheese balls for bite-sized servings.
Safety Tip: Keep chilled and limit room-temp exposure to 2 hours.
Diet Notes: Gluten-free if served with GF crackers. Vegetarian-friendly.
Equipment: Mixing bowl, hand mixer or sturdy spatula, plastic wrap, skillet for toasting nuts.
Alternate Method: Use a food processor to pulse all ingredients for 10–15 seconds, then fold in half of the mix-ins by hand for texture.
Presentation Ideas: Form into a turkey shape with pretzel sticks for feathers, or create mini cheese balls for bite-sized servings.
Safety Tip: Keep chilled and limit room-temp exposure to 2 hours.