Name: Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped; ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted; ¼ cup chives or green onions, chopped; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped; ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted; 2 tablespoons chives, chopped

There's something about a good cheese ball that just makes any gathering feel cozy and festive. This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe brings a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy textures that always surprises guests and keeps them coming back for more.

The image shows a round cheese ball with a creamy white inside mixed with small bits of dark dried fruit and herbs. The outside is covered in a thick layer of chopped walnuts, bright red dried cranberries, and green herbs scattered all around, giving a textured and colorful look. The cheese ball sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by a circle of golden round crackers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe. It's one of those dishes that’s easy to throw together but delivers big on flavor — plus, it looks gorgeous on any appetizer table, making you look like a total pro host.

Easy To Make: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal prep – perfect for busy days or last-minute entertaining.
Flavorful Contrast: The sharp cheddar and creamy cheese blend perfectly with tart cranberries and crunchy toasted pecans.
Customizable: It’s simple to swap in your favorite nuts or herbs to put your own spin on it.
Perfect Presentation: Rolling the cheese ball in cranberries and pecans makes it look stunning and inviting on any platter.

A round cheese ball sits in the center, covered with a mix of chopped pecans, dried red cranberries, and green chives, creating a textured and colorful top layer. The cheese ball has a creamy white base layer visible between the toppings. Surrounding the cheese ball is a neat circle of round, golden crackers with light brown edges, all resting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a delightful mix of creamy, crunchy, and fruity elements. Each ingredient plays a special role, and I’ve got some little tips to help you pick and prepare each one so your cheese ball turns out perfectly every time.

Flat lay of fresh whole pecans, chopped toasted pecans in a small white ceramic bowl, a block of smooth cream cheese, shredded white sharp cheddar cheese in a small white bowl, dried cranberries in a small white bowl, fresh chopped chives in a small white bowl, a few whole garlic cloves next to a small white bowl containing garlic powder, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cream Cheese: The creamy base that holds everything together—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Adds tangy, bold flavor and a nice texture contrast when shredded.
Dried Cranberries: Provide sweet-tart bursts that brighten up every bite; chopping them finely helps distribute flavor evenly.
Pecans: To add crunch and warmth—I always toast mine lightly to deepen their nuttiness.
Chives or Green Onions: Fresh herbs bring a mild oniony kick without overpowering the cheese ball.
Garlic Powder: A subtle savory note that complements the cream cheese and cheddar beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand, and I encourage you to do the same. A recipe this simple is a great canvas for your personal favorite flavors.

Nut Swap: Once, I tried walnuts instead of pecans — it gave a slightly earthier crunch, and it was a hit with walnut lovers.
Herb Twist: Adding fresh rosemary or dill instead of chives creates a fragrant cheese ball that pairs well with holiday themes.
Spicy Kick: Mixing in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika gave it a surprising warmth that guests loved.
Texture Variation: For a softer ball, I’ve replaced half the cheddar with mozzarella — the flavor is milder but still delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

First, preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread the chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast them for about 5 minutes, or until you catch that warm, nutty aroma. Keep an eye on them—they can go from toasted to burnt quickly. Once done, set them aside to cool while you prepare the rest.

Step 2: Mix the Cheese Base

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to beat together softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, half of the toasted pecans, half of the chopped cranberries, chopped chives (or green onions), and garlic powder. Mix until everything’s well combined and creamy—this is where the magic happens, melding those bright, creamy, and savory flavors.

Step 3: Form and Chill the Cheese Ball

Scoop the mixture into the center of a large piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Wrap it up completely and begin shaping it gently with your hands into a round ball. Pop it into the fridge for a couple of hours—trust me, this chilling step lets the flavors meld and firm up the shape so it’s easy to roll later.

Step 4: Coat with Cranberry-Pecan Mixture

Before serving, mix the remaining pecans, cranberries, and some extra chopped chives on a flat board or plate. Unwrap your nicely chilled cheese ball and roll it gently in this mixture until it’s evenly coated. The contrast of colors and textures makes this the star of the party platter every time.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the cheese ball with your preferred crackers, pita chips, pretzels, or fresh veggie sticks like carrots or celery. I always like to offer a few options so guests can pick their favorites.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a couple of little tweaks that make this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe foolproof and extra tasty. These have saved me from a handful of common cheese ball blunders!

Soft Cheese Is Key: Always soften the cream cheese to room temperature so everything blends smoothly without lumps.
Don’t Skip the Toasting: Toasting pecans transforms their flavor completely — it’s worth the few extra minutes in the oven.
Chill for Flavor: Letting the cheese ball rest in the fridge for at least a couple of hours really deepens flavor and helps maintain shape.
Roll Gently: When coating with the cranberry-pecan mix, roll gently to avoid crumbling off bits, so every bite looks as good as it tastes.

How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

cranberry pecan cheese ball - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love to garnish with extra fresh chives or thinly sliced green onions to add a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I scatter a few whole pecans or fresh cranberries around the serving board to make the presentation feel extra festive.

Side Dishes

This cheese ball pairs beautifully with salty crackers or pita chips and fresh veggies like celery and carrot sticks. For parties, I often set out a charcuterie board alongside it with cured meats, olives, and pickles to complement the flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve shaped the cheese into smaller individual balls or logs for easier snacking. Another fun idea is to serve the cheese ball inside a hollowed-out red or green bell pepper, giving it an unexpected festive twist that guests always remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover cheese ball airtight in plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to 5 days, though I can never resist finishing it sooner!

Freezing

Freezing this recipe is possible but not my favorite—the texture softens a bit after thawing. If you do freeze, wrap tightly in plastic and place in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw slowly in the fridge overnight before serving.

Reheating

This cheese ball is best served cold or at room temperature, so no reheating is necessary. If it feels too firm straight from the fridge, just let it sit out for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly for easier spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe vegan or dairy-free?

You can definitely create a dairy-free version by using vegan cream cheese and vegan shredded cheddar alternatives. The texture won’t be exactly the same but still deliciously creamy and flavorful when combined with cranberries and pecans.

How far ahead can I prepare this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe?

You can prepare the cheese ball up to 2 days in advance. Just shape it, refrigerate, and coat with fresh pecans and cranberries right before serving for the best appearance and texture.

What can I serve with the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe?

This cheese ball is wonderful with crispy crackers, pita chips, pretzels, and fresh veggies like carrots and celery. It also pairs nicely with a charcuterie platter of meats and pickles for a complete spread.

How do I keep the cheese ball from falling apart when rolling in pecans and cranberries?

Make sure the cheese ball is well-chilled and firm before rolling. Roll gently and evenly in the pecan and cranberry mixture to allow it to stick without breaking apart. Using plastic wrap when shaping also helps maintain structure.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe has been a go-to for me whenever friends or family pop by unexpectedly. It’s simple, festive, and always gets compliments. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do — it really turns casual get-togethers into something special with minimal effort.