Name: Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13 ounces Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese (or herbed cream cheese or herbed goat cheese); 1/3 cup roasted pistachios, finely chopped; 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped; Rosemary sprigs for garnish

There’s something simply magical about these buttery, tangy bites sprinkled with festive colors that instantly lift your spirits. The Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe is a quick and elegant treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or last-minute hostess gifts.

The image shows a white plate with a rough, light beige rim filled with small round balls. There are two types of balls: some are covered with chopped bright green pistachio nuts, and others are coated with deep red dried cranberry pieces mixed with some white cream showing through. The balls are placed in a scattered pattern on the plate, with fresh green rosemary sprigs arranged in small bunches between them. The background has a white marbled texture. 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 Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, these truffles became a holiday staple in my kitchen because they blend simplicity with a wow factor. You don’t need to fuss with dozens of ingredients, yet the flavor and presentation say gourmet.

Effortless elegance: Just three main ingredients transform into bite-sized beauties that look like they took hours to prepare.
Flavor harmony: The creamy cheese, crunchy pistachios, and tart cranberries balance each other perfectly for an irresistible taste.
Speedy prep: You can have these ready in under 25 minutes—perfect for last-minute guests or rushed holiday party prep.
Customizable charm: Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts or dried fruits to tailor the truffles to your holiday vibe.

The image shows an oval white plate with a textured rim holding small round balls arranged in a Christmas tree shape on a white marbled surface. The balls are in two colors: bright red and pale yellow-green, each covered with small pieces of nuts or dried fruit giving a rough texture. Fresh green rosemary sprigs decorate and fill spaces between the balls, also shaped to resemble the branches of the tree. The plate sits on a green cloth with some extra rosemary sprigs scattered around and two glasses with dark green rims nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients shine individually, but they're even better combined. The creamy, herbed cheese is the base star, punctuated by the bright tartness of cranberries and the rich crunch of pistachios. Here's why each component makes this recipe a winner.

Flat lay of a small mound of fresh herbed cream cheese with visible garlic and herbs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped roasted pistachios, a small white ceramic bowl containing finely chopped vibrant red dried cranberries, and a few fresh green rosemary sprigs artfully arranged beside them, all placed 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

Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese: Creamy with subtle herbs and garlic, it holds the truffles together and adds depth; I love using Alouette, but herbed cream cheese works great too.
Roasted Pistachios: Their natural sweetness and crunch give delightful texture contrast and a festive green color.
Dried Cranberries: These bring a tart pop that brightens the richness, plus that gorgeous holiday red hue.
Rosemary Sprigs (optional): Adds a fresh piney aroma and makes your platter look extra festive.

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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

One of the things I adore about this Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often mix in different nuts or swap out the cranberries depending on what’s in my pantry or who I’m serving.

Nut-Free Variation: I once made these for a nut-allergic friend by rolling all the truffles in chopped dried cranberries—it was just as festive and super tasty.
Dairy-Free Swap: Using a firm vegan cream cheese substitute kept the texture perfect when my sister visited with her dairy intolerance.
Herb Twists: Sometimes I add finely chopped fresh thyme or sage into the cheese mixture for an earthy note that pairs beautifully with fall flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

Step 1: Chill and Scoop the Cheese

Start by lining a large plate with parchment paper—that way, nothing sticks and clean-up is a breeze. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop (or 2 tablespoons), scoop out the cheese into little mounds on the plate. Placing the plate in the freezer for 20 minutes helps the cheese firm up, making the next step way less messy and easier!

Step 2: Prepare Your Coatings

While the cheese chills, finely chop the roasted pistachios and dried cranberries and set them in two separate shallow bowls or plates. This setup lets you quickly coat the truffles in the next step.

Step 3: Roll and Coat Your Truffles

Once chilled, use your hands to roll each cheese scoop into a perfect little ball. Don’t worry if your hands get sticky—just keep them cool or damp to make rolling easier. Then, roll half the balls in the pistachios and half in cranberries, pressing gently so the coatings stick all around.

Step 4: Arrange and Garnish

Place your coated truffles on a pretty serving platter. If you like, tuck rosemary sprigs around the edges for that fresh pine scent and beautiful greenery. These also look stunning nestled next to crackers or sliced baguette you might be serving.

Top Tip

Making these truffles is straightforward, but I've learned a few handy tricks that make the process smoother and the final bites more impressive.

Freeze Before Rolling: Firm cheese is much easier to shape. Don’t skip the freezer step—even 20 minutes makes a big difference.
Keep Hands Cool & Moist: If your hands get sticky, wet them lightly with cold water before rolling each ball; this keeps the cheese from clinging too much.
Press Gently But Completely: I find lightly pressing the truffles into the nut or cranberry coating ensures an even, beautiful finish without squeezing the cheese out.
Chill Before Serving: After rolling, refrigerating the truffles for 10–15 minutes helps the flavors meld and firms them up to hold their shape on the platter.

How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

Holiday Cheese Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add fresh rosemary sprigs around the platter—not only do they smell wonderful, but their deep green color makes the whole tray scream holiday cheer! Sometimes, I toss in a few pomegranate seeds for extra sparkle.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair beautifully with a crusty baguette, assorted crackers, or even a crunchy crostini. For a fuller spread, I like adding mixed nuts, olives, and a simple fig jam on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I sometimes serve the truffles nestled in small, festive muffin liners or in little candy cups to keep things tidy and gift-ready. Using a tiered serving tray also shows them off beautifully and saves space on the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover truffles covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and firm for up to three days, which is perfect for enjoying the day after a party without any loss in flavor or texture.

Freezing

Freezing works if you want to prep ahead of time—just wrap each truffle individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a sealed container or freezer bag. When thawed in the fridge overnight, they keep their shape and taste wonderfully fresh.

Reheating

These truffles are best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. Just pull them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly without melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cheeses for the truffles?

Absolutely! While I love the herbed spreadable cheese for its flavor and texture, you can swap in herbed goat cheese or cream cheese. Just make sure it’s soft but not too runny so the truffles hold their shape.

How do I make these truffles nut-free?

Great question! You can simply roll all the truffles in chopped dried cranberries instead of pistachios. Or, try rolling them in crushed pretzels, toasted seeds, or finely chopped herbs for a nut-free coating that still adds texture.

Can I prepare the cheese balls in advance?

Yes! You can scoop and freeze the cheese balls up to a day ahead, then roll and coat them right before serving. This saves time and reduces stress on party day.

What’s the best way to serve these truffles at a party?

I like to serve them on a decorative platter with rosemary sprigs for a festive touch. Pairing them with crackers, baguette slices, and a few sweet jams or spreads makes for a balanced appetizer spread your guests will rave about.

Final Thoughts

The Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe is one of those recipes that feels like a little gift to yourself—and your guests—during the busy season. It’s quick, beautiful, and deliciously addictive. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll find all kinds of excuses to bring them out. So go ahead, make a batch, and watch the compliments roll in. You’ll be glad you did!